Sociology offers full-time M.A. and Ph.D. by research programs.
We offer a strategic balance between research opportunities and academic
training aimed at providing the necessary rigor for students to develop their
own niche research interests and expertise. Our faculty members are highly
active in research and specialise in a wide range of topics including but not
limited to Ageing, Cultural Sociology, Demography, Deviance and Subcultures,
Economic Sociology, Environmental Sociology, Gender and Sexuality, Migration
and Globalisation, Organisational Sociology, Political Sociology, Popular
Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Religion, Science and Technology, Social
Inequality, Social Psychology, Sociology of Family, Sociology of Southeast
Asia, Tourism, and Urban Sociology.
Students are expected to develop a substantive competency
in the fundamental areas of Sociology, as well as a deep proficiency in core
areas of research interests across different research methodologies.
Furthermore, students will gain exposure to teaching specialised Sociology and
related modules. Exciting opportunities are also available for students to
connect with NTU’s partner universities through our Summer/Winter programs as
well as exchange and independent overseas research.
Our program has a vibrant intellectual, research, and
interdisciplinary environment. Graduate students are actively engaged in high
profile research projects with faculty members and research clusters.
Additionally, the program offers a wide range of comprehensive funding
opportunities and schemes for students to pursue their postgraduate work in a
highly supportive and nurturing research environment in a world-class
university.
The
M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Sociology are full-time programs. Part-time study is
not offered.
Degree Requirements
M.A.
For M.A.,
students must complete and pass the following:
- Three core courses:
Classical Sociological Theory and Research (HS7001); Contemporary
Sociological Theory and Research (HS7002); and Theory and Method in Social
Research (HS7003) (9 Academic Units)
- Thesis
The coursework requirement is to be completed within the first year. M.A.
students should maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of
3.00. Students are also required to complete Epigeum Research Integrity (online
course), Information Research & Management (online course) and attend research
seminars. Students on NTU scholarship might have additional requirements to
fulfil. Refer to the Timeline and Milestones for more
instructions.
Graduate Assistantship Program (GAP)
Students receiving
scholarship from the Ministry of Education (MOE) – RSS / NPGS / Grants – are
required to fulfil the Graduate Assistantship Program (GAP). GAP is a set of
hours divided into Teaching / Research / Development duties determined by the
type of scholarship and nationality. The GAP is a form of in-service obligation
effected for Cohort 2014 and onwards and has to be completed 6 months before the
submission of the thesis.
Ph.D.
For Ph.D.,
students must complete and pass the following:
- Three core courses: Classical
Sociological Theory and Research (HS7001); Contemporary Sociological
Theory and Research (HS7002); and Theory and Method in Social Research (HS7003)
(9 Academic Units)
- Three elective courses
(9 Academic Units)
Typically,
Ph.D. students complete the coursework requirement within the first three
semesters. They should maintain a minimum
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50. They are also required to complete
Epigeum Research Integrity (online course), HWG703 Graduate English (unless exempted), HWG702 Small Group Teaching,
Information Research & Management (online course) and attend research
seminars. Students on scholarship might have additional requirements to fulfil.
Students are encouraged to work closely with their supervisor and the graduate
co-ordinator to ensure timely completion of all the requirements.
Ph.D.
students will have to submit and defend their thesis proposal as part of the
Qualifying Examination (also known as the Confirmation Exercise). The
Qualifying Examination should be completed within 18 months from start of
candidature. The final completed thesis will be examined by a panel of internal
and external examiners, after which, an oral examination will be held. Refer to the Timeline and Milestones for more
instructions.
Graduate Assistantship Program (GAP)
Students receiving scholarship from the Ministry of Education (MOE) –
RSS / NPGS / Grants – are required to fulfil the Graduate Assistantship Program
(GAP). GAP is a set of hours divided into Teaching / Research / Development
duties determined by the type of scholarship and nationality. The GAP is a form
of in-service obligation effected for Cohort 2014 and onwards and has to be
completed 6 months before the submission of the thesis.