Doctorate in Philosophy Sociology at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Sociology at the University of Ottawa is a comprehensive program designed to cultivate advanced sociological research skills. This program is offered in both English and French, catering to a diverse student body. The primary objective is to train sociologists who can effectively analyze and conduct research on contemporary social relations and transformations. The program emphasizes the use of modern theoretical and methodological tools, focusing on two main research fields: minorities and culture, and political sociology. Students are encouraged to engage in collaborative programs, enhancing their academic experience and research opportunities.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Sociology is structured as a four-year program, with an expectation for students to complete all requirements within this timeframe. The program includes:

Full-time study only
Compulsory and elective courses
Comprehensive examinations
Thesis proposal and doctoral thesis

Students must fulfill all program requirements, excluding the thesis, by the end of their fifth term. The maximum duration allowed for program completion is five years from the date of initial enrollment, or six years for students who fast-track from a master's program. Additionally, students have the opportunity to form a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) to guide them through their academic journey, ensuring they receive the necessary support and mentorship.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Sociology program offers several unique experiences to enhance students' learning and research capabilities:

Eligibility for collaborative programs, such as Canadian studies, which allows for interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Access to a diverse range of research areas through faculty expertise, encouraging students to explore various sociological topics.
Formation of a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide guidance throughout the program.
Comprehensive examinations that assess students' knowledge and readiness for doctoral research.
Opportunities for advanced seminars that focus on contemporary sociological themes and methodologies.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Sociology program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Academic Researcher: Conducting independent research and publishing findings in academic journals, contributing to the field of sociology.
University Professor: Teaching sociology courses at the university level and mentoring students in their academic pursuits.
Policy Analyst: Analyzing social policies and their impacts on communities, providing recommendations for improvement.
Social Research Consultant: Working with organizations to design and implement research projects that address social issues.
Nonprofit Program Director: Leading initiatives within nonprofit organizations that focus on social justice, community development, or advocacy.

These career options reflect the diverse skill set and knowledge base that graduates acquire during their studies, preparing them for impactful roles in various sectors.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Sociology, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a master's degree in Sociology or equivalent

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Minorités et culture/Sociologie politique

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Academic references preferred.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based) English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based) French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based) Students apply for either the English or French language stream. They must take SOC 8X11 in the language of their application but can choose to take optional courses in both languages. The School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies is proud of its French/English bilingualism. Language skills (at least passive) in the other language are considered an asset, and students are encouraged to improve their French/English bilingualism throughout their tenure in the program.
Required document(s):	Letter of Intent including a 5 page pre thesis project (problematic, methodology, field work). Indicate which professor(s) could supervize the thesis. Resume Confirmation of supervision (Please upload an email confirmation of supervision from your potential supervisor via uoDoc) Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based)
English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)

Students apply for either the English or French language stream. They must take SOC 8X11 in the language of their application but can choose to take optional courses in both languages. The School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies is proud of its French/English bilingualism. Language skills (at least passive) in the other language are considered an asset, and students are encouraged to improve their French/English bilingualism throughout their tenure in the program.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!