Master of Arts (Sociology)

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Master of Arts (Sociology) cost?

  CAD 10,519 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• What are the entry requirements?

  The Department’s minimum admission requirements for the course-based and thesis-based MA programs in sociology and population and life course dynamics are a four-year undergraduate degree with a major in Sociology (honors preferred), or a related discipline, and a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in the last two years of undergraduate study at the University of Alberta (20 single-term courses), or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution. The Department requires as part of the application package a clearly defined statement of research interests that will be developed into a research proposal as partial fulfilment of the MA degree. Minimum admission requirements for the MA in criminal justice (course-based) are a four-year BA (Criminology), or equivalent, or a four-year undergraduate degree in sociology or a related discipline and a minimum of one year of full-time work experience in the criminal justice system. Students must have completed introductory courses in criminology, criminal justice administration, statistics and research methodology prior to admission. The minimum average is 3.2 (on the 4-point letter grading system), or equivalent, in the last two years of undergraduate study. For admission to the PhD program, the minimum requirements are a master’s degree with an average of 3.5 on all graduate courses and undergraduate coursework taken in the final two years (20 single-term courses) at the University of Alberta, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution. Where applicable (refer to English Language Requirement ), applicants require a TOEFL (Internet-based) score of 100 (for tests written before January 21, 2026) or a TOEFL (Internet-based) score of 5 (for tests written on or after January 21, 2026) or equivalent, or higher to be considered for admission. Visit Graduate program application deadlines to see deadlines for all programs in Sociology. APPLY NOW ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Faculty: Arts Delivery Mode: On Campus Program Type: Course Based, Thesis Based Degree Level: Master's Program Requirements · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; PTE Academic 61 · English test waiver: Applicants may satisfy the requirement without a test by holding a degree, or its academic equivalent, from an institution recognised by the University of Alberta at which the language of instruction is English; GPS also maintains a list of international post-secondary institutions at which the language requirement is English. The requirement is not waived for students temporarily in Canada, and departments and GPS may require further demonstration of proficiency. Source: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/resources/policies-procedures/graduate-program-manual/section-5-admissions/5-8-english-language-proficiency-requirement.html · Application fee: CAD 135.00 for all applications to graduate programs, charged at the end of the online application and payable by credit card only (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover; Visa/Mastercard debit and prepaid cards are not accepted). Source: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/resources/policies-procedures/graduate-program-manual/section-5-admissions/5-4-application-fee.html

• Is there a scholarship?

  The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over CAD 35 million each year in scholarships, awards and financial support for graduate students; opportunities vary by faculty. GPS states that there are limited funding opportunities for students in part-time graduate study or completing a certificate programme. Source View scholarship page