Simon Fraser University offers Sociology: Master of Arts (MA), a master's degree in Sociology programme in Burnaby, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 2,150 per semester (CAD 2,150 per semester for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Sociology
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 2,150 / semester
International tuition: CAD 2,150 / semester
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
SFU's MA in Sociology combines core coursework with an 18-unit thesis, for a minimum of 30 units overall. Students complete a graduate seminar plus courses in social theory and qualitative research methods before choosing two electives in their first two terms, then move into independent thesis research under a faculty supervisor. The program admits only in the Fall term and is designed to run over six consecutive terms across two years, with continuous enrollment expected throughout. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA and demonstrated grounding in sociological and anthropological theory. Faculty in the department supervise research spanning social theory, qualitative and community-based methods, gender and sexuality, political economy, and social control, and applicants are expected to identify research interests that align with a potential supervisor.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.25 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: The department's own admission page states a program-specific GPA above the university floor: applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and a bachelor's degree from SFU or its equivalent from a recognized institution, with strong coursework in both sociological and anthropological theory and methodology. No IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo score is quoted on this page; international applicants are exempt from a language test only if their prior degree was taught and examined in English in a country where English is the primary language, and the department otherwise follows SFU's general English-proficiency standard. Required materials are a CV including scholarly work, a roughly one-page statement of interest and prospective research topic, an academic writing sample such as a first-authored paper, contact details for three academic references, and all post-secondary transcripts; identifying a supervisor before applying is not mandatory.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
