No more than one course may be taken outside of the Department of Sociology. However, there is considerable advantage in trying to complete three courses in the first term. At the same time as they are completing these coursework requirements, students also should be working on their thesis abstracts and proposals. A student is generally considered on schedule if the proposal is approved by the supervisory committee in the second term of study. This allows the student to do preliminary data collection and preparation during the third term, and to continue researching and writing the thesis throughout the fourth term.
Some students elect a more accelerated programme. .
The thesis must be defended at a public oral examination in which the examining committee separtately judges the quality of the thesis and the performance in the oral. Both must be rated satisfactory for the student to be recommended for graduation. A minimum of 10 days must elapse between the time the student submits the defensible copy to the Graduate Secretary and the thesis defense. Students who require a fourth and fifth term to complete the M.A. thesis are NOT eligible, according to current University rules, for scholarships. Such students will receive only a teaching assistantship.