Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Social Science

As the largest Faculty at Western—and one of the most diverse Social Science faculties in Canada—we are proud to offer a wide range of exceptional master’s and doctoral programs. Our graduate community thrives on curiosity, innovation, and collaboration, with opportunities to explore specialized fields and contribute to research that makes an impact locally and globally.

We also participate in affiliated graduate programs that bring a social science perspective to interdisciplinary studies, opening doors to even broader learning and research experiences.

Explore the possibilities by visiting the pages below to discover detailed information about our programs and where they can take you.

Our Graduate Programs

Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at the Western University offers graduate degrees at the Masters and Doctoral levels. At the Masters level we have three streams: Sociocultural Anthropology, Archaeology and Bioarchaeology, and Applied Archaeology. At the Doctoral level we have two streams: Sociocultural Anthropology, and Archaeology and Bioarchaeology.

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DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies

DAN Management offers Graduate Studies in two programs on campus. The Gradaute Diploma in Accounting (GDip) is designed for students who have completed all of their CPA-PEP course requirements and are looking to further enhance and advance their Accounting experience. Jointly offered through the Faculty of Science, the Master of Management of Applied Science (MMASc) program is a one-year professional science master’s program

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Economics

Western's Graduate Program in Economics offers a firm grounding in both the theory and applied tools of Economics. We offer three different degrees including a new professional masters program: Ph.D.-stream Master in Economics Program; Master of Financial Economics Program – a professional finance degree; and a Ph.D. Program in Economics.

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Geography and Environment

The graduate degree programs in the Department of Geography and Environment are strongly research oriented, and the completion of a thesis is the main focus at both the Masters and PhD levels. The Department offers several different programs leading to MA, MSc, and PhD degrees. Specific areas of strength include: Environment, Development, and Health; Geographic Information Science; Physical Geography; and Urban Studies.

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History

The Department of History at Western has been supervising graduate degrees for more than a century. We have deep strengths in Canadian history, the history of international relations and conflict, environmental history, and public history. And we are a recognized leader in the new digital history and digital humanities. Offerings include, M.A. in History; M.A. in Public History; and Ph.D. in History.

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Political Science

We are a dynamic, research-intensive Department with expertise in both newly emerging areas of study and the traditional fields of comparative politics, international relations, Canadian politics, political theory and local government. Our Department is known for the outstanding quality of its research and expertise. Among our faculty members are scholars of national and international reputation.

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Psychology

Western is a leading research-focused university that has been rated as providing among the very best of student experiences in Canada. The Psychology graduate program at UWO provides advanced training in four Areas of Study: Cognitive, Developmental and Brain Sciences; Clinical; Industrial/Organizational; and Social, Personality and Developmental Psychology.

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Public Administration

Offered through the Department of Political Science, Western's Master of Public Administration program is designed for people aspiring to senior management positions in Canadian municipalities and their associated boards and commissions. Its focus on graduate-level education for local government management is unique in English-speaking Canada.

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Sociology

The Department of Sociology's research and graduate training focuses on Population Dynamics and Social Inequality. Our productive and internationally recognized faculty focus on the following areas of concentration: Aging and the Life Course; Health and Health Inequality; Inequality, Power, and Social Regulation; Social Demography and Migration; and Work, Occupations, and Professions.

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Affiliated Programs

Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies

The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies has an interdisciplinary graduate program for MA and PhD students. We offer a wide range of graduate courses from GSWS and other departments that focus on feminist issues. The department has five recognized areas of research: feminist theory; health & embodiment; representation & cultural production; globalization, equity & social structures; and sexuality.

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Migration and Ethnic Relations

The Collaborative Graduate Program in Migration and Ethnic Relations at Western University brings together graduate students and faculty to study questions of migration, ethnic relations, cultural diversity, conflict, acculturation and the integration of migrants, from the perspective of various social science and humanities disciplines.

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Neuroscience

Western's graduate program in the interdisciplinary field of Neuroscience enables students to obtain an M.Sc. or Ph.D. The Master of Science program provides a research intensive learning experience in either Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience (MCN) or Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience (BCN). The PhD program provides exposure to all aspects of neuroscience research from cellular molecular to cognitive neuroscience.

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Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction

After mass violence, fractured societies must rebuild.  Doing “justice” in a time of transition is difficult and controversial.  Post-conflict reconstruction uses a variety of theoretical approaches and practical tools in coming to terms with a society’s troubled past.  Students who wish to enroll in the Collaborative Graduate Program must first apply to a participating graduate program.

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