Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
Switching into Sociology
To enter the honours Sociology program you must first complete SY101 and have at least a C average (or 4.0 GPA) in your Sociology courses. You must also have a minimum 4.0 GPA across all your courses. You can declare the major through LORIS using the "Program Selection Form" from Enrolment Services.
If you do not have the GPA to declare the major, you can still take Sociology courses that are not restricted to majors and continue to take your other electives toward the completion of your degree. You can declare the major later, when you have earned the GPA required for the honours program.
MyDegree Updates for Current Students
All current students will see a discrepancy between MyDegree and the new program requirements (effective Fall 2024) unless they switch to the new Calendar for 2024-2025 (i.e., it will appear that you are missing a 400-level credit to graduate even if you have fulfilled the new requirements). To make your MyDegree profile line up with the changes when the new Calendar is released, you can fill out this simple form to change your Calendar year.
Watch this recorded program requirement webinar for more details about the changes in program requirements. You can also contact socadvising@wlu.ca to set up an advising appointment to review your program progression.
Undergraduate Program Requirements
The Honours BA Sociology program consists of 20.0 credits, of which at least 13.0 must be at the senior level (i.e., 200-level or above). A minimum of 10.0 and a maximum of 14.0 credits in Sociology must be completed including:
- SY101
- SY103
- SY207
- SY208
- SY210 OR SY213
- SY280
- SY281
- SY382
- SY389
- 3.0 additional SY credits at the senior level
- 1.5 additional SY credits at the 300 level
- 1.0 SY credits at the 400 level
Notes
- The formerly cross-listed RE380 will continue to count as a credit in the Sociology program.
Resources
The combined Honours BA Sociology program consists of 20.0 credits, of which at least 13.0 must be at the senior level (i.e., 200-level and above). A minimum of 7.0 credits in Sociology must be completed including:
- SY101
- SY103
- SY207
- SY210 OR SY213
- SY280
- SY281
- SY382
- SY389
- 1.5 additional senior SY credit
- 1.0 additional SY credit at the 300 level
- 0.5 SY credit at the 400 level
Notes
- Students who are required to complete research methods and statistics courses in the second honours program should consult with both departments to avoid duplication.
- The formerly cross-listed RE380 will continue to count as a credit in the Sociology program.
Resources
- SY101
- SY207
- 2.0 additional SY credits, at least 1.5 mandatory at the senior level.
Resources
Only students majoring in Sociology (single or combined honours) will be able to declare a Specialization in Applied Social Research. Students must graduate with a minimum of 7.00 (B-) GPA in their major(s) to be eligible to receive the designation on their transcript.
The Applied Social Research Specialization requires:
- 0.5 credit from the following: SY489 or SY490
- 1.0 credit from the following: SY309*, SY312, SY314, SY317, SY327, SY452*, SY489, SY490 (special topics; refer to note below).
Notes: Not all sections of SY309 or SY452 (special topics) can be used to fulfill this requirement; consult the undergraduate advisor at socadvising@wlu.ca.
Students wishing to have the Applied Social Research Specialization added to their honours major must complete and submit the appropriate program selection form on LORIS. See Enrolment Services for details. After eligibility has been confirmed, the option will be added to your program.
Resources
Download the Applied Social Research Specialization worksheet.
Graduate Program Requirements
Please note: The MA Sociology Program is on an indefinite hiatus and is not taking applications at this time.
The master's program in sociology seeks to educate engaged and aware citizens of an increasingly complex world. The program seeks to enhance students’ knowledge of the social changes attendant upon contemporary processes of globalization. We seek to educate students in social citizenship, to equip them with the knowledge and skills required for active, informed and useful participation in 21st-century social life. We train them to be appreciative of the multiple connections of their lives with the lives of others, from their lone activities to their family life, from their consumption patterns to their work habits, from their community involvements to their roles as national and global citizens. The MA program shares the WLU Sociology Department’s identifying focus upon equity and social justice.
The nine month, course work only, program of study is a fast track to a recognized certification of research skills valued across all sectors of employment – to wit, self discipline, enhanced analytical cognition, writing ability and the capacity to conduct empirical research independently.
Those students following the one-year Major Research Paper option of program will be equipped with the research skills required to proceed with doctoral work in the discipline.
All students will be initially admitted to the course-based option. If you complete the degree requirements through the course-based option, you must complete four electives in the winter and spring terms.
Major Research Paper Option
In cases in which a) you have demonstrated the academic capacity for original independent research and b) your interests are aligned with the expertise of a faculty member available to support them, you may transition to the Major Research Paper (MRP) option. The MRP option will require the completion of two elective courses (winter term) and the MRP (spring term).
Required Courses
- SY600: Theory and Practice
- SY601: Advanced Qualitative Research
- SY602: Advanced Quantitative Research
- SY603: Research and Professionalization Seminar
- Plus four elective courses (course-work option) or two elective courses (MRP option)