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Department of Sociology

Sociology (BA honours)

Are you excited about conducting your own research? Are you thinking about continuing your studies in sociology? If so, the honours program is for you!

Students in the honours thesis program engage in original, innovative research. They research social issues ranging from policing and crime control to food production and the healthcare system.

The honours program is designed to enrich your learning experience in sociology by providing opportunities to conduct research in a specialized area.

The program is recommended for anyone planning to pursue a graduate degree or seeking answers to sociological problems.

Benefits

  • move from studying to doing sociology
  • work one-on-one with a faculty supervisor
  • acquire skills (analytical, writing, research) that give you a competitive advantage in an increasingly knowledge-based economy
  • be eligible for the Cecilia Benoit Sociology Honours Essay Award

How to apply

Students typically apply for entry into the honours program at the end of their third year.  Honours admission decisions are sent to students in mid-June. 

Application deadline: May 31st

Application form

Entry requirements

You need to have:

  • a declared major in sociology
  • a minimum cumulative GPA of 6.00 in sociology courses numbered at or above the 200 level, including in at least 1 required methods course

You don’t need to have a supervisor in place before applying. The SOCI 499 seminar covers finding a supervisor.

Check out what types of research our faculty members conduct to get some ideas of potential topics. Visit their research websites to learn about their work.

Honours research project

The honours program is designed to enrich your learning experience in sociology by providing opportunities to conduct research in a specialized area. Students are encouraged to consider all types of projects including quantitative, qualitative, and theoretical.

The SOCI 499 seminar will support you through the following stages of completing your essay:

  • selecting a supervisor
  • identifying a topic
  • developing a proposal
  • establishing a timeline and plan of action
  • completing the research
  • reporting the results

Course requirements

Honours students must satisfy course requirements for a BA major in sociology plus SOCI 499 (honours thesis seminar, 3.0 units). Overall course requirements:

To graduate with an honours degree you’ll need:

  • a minimum grade of B+ in SOCI 499
  • a minimum GPA of 6.0 in all upper-level courses