Please note:
To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.
Sociology
Sociology and anthropology is a joint department where students are offered a solid foundation in each discipline and are invited to engage in innovative interdisciplinary studies. Graduates are equipped with a comprehensive foundation in social theory, substantive courses in specific areas of research interest, and rigorous training in research methodologies, a particular strength of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at SFU. Graduate students and their faculty supervisory committees work collaboratively to tailor programs to meet each student's unique goals.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. How well the applicant's proposed research coincides with the research and teaching interests of the faculty is an important admission consideration.
Program Requirements
This program consists of courses and a thesis for a minimum of 38 units. Students may be required to complete more than these courses at the discretion of the supervisory committee.
Students must complete
and two of*
and a thesis
* Students may also choose a graduate course or graduate directed readings course in another Simon Fraser University department, or from another university that is part of the Western Dean's Agreement. Supervisory committee and departmental graduate program committee approval is required. If a student chooses a course that is less than four units, they will need to take an additional course in order to meet the minimum of 30 units.
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within sociology take SA 850 and SA 856 during the bachelor’s degree. These 10 units will count as upper division electives of the bachelor’s degree program, and also to the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in six terms. Required courses are normally completed within the first two terms of MA program.
Other Information
Thesis
The thesis will consist of no more than 75 pages, inclusive of bibliographies, appendices and tables. At the discretion of the supervisory committee, the maximum number of pages may be increased, normally only to facilitate the inclusion of large appendices and tables.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.