The MA program in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice trains students to become active agents in research and practice in social justice. It also prepares students to undertake graduate studies at the doctoral level.
Why choose GRSJ?
- Pursue your specific research interests and contribute to revolutionary scholarship
- Participate in research that is informed by intersectional and equitable theoretical lenses
- Collaborate with award-winning faculty members who have research expertise in diverse areas of study
All students will take required and elective courses, and students may choose to complete a thesis or an extended essay. Most will complete their program within 24 months.
Course Requirements
Whether students choose the thesis or extended essay option, course requirements are as follows.
The MA in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice consists of 30 credits of coursework including either a 9-credit thesis or 3-credit extended essay.
Within these 30 credits, students must complete:
- GRSJ_V 500: Current and Global Issues in Social Justice (two 3 credit course versions)
- GRSJ_V 501: Methods for Social Justice Research and Practice (3 credits)
And one of either:
- GRSJ_V 520: Thesis (9 credits)
- GRSJ_V 510: Extended Essay (3 credits)
The remaining credits will be filled with elective courses.
Electives credits must have the approval of the student's supervisor and may be selected from:
- GRSJ elective courses
- GRSJ_V 502: Critical Theories in Social Justice (3 credits)
- GRSJ_V 511: Difficult Knowledge: Ethics and Praxis of Research in Challenging Settings (3 credits)
- GRSJ_V 512: Critical Studies in Sexuality: Multi-disciplinary Approaches (3 credits)
- GRSJ_V 503: Special topics (3-9 credits)
- GRSJ _V505: Directed Reading (3-6 credits). Learn more about Directed Reading.
- GRSJ_V 515: Critical and Creative Social Justice Seminar (3 credits)
- Graduate courses in other UBC departments
- Undergraduate courses numbered 300 and above (maximum 6 credits)
- Courses at another university: See the Western Deans Agreement for more information
Did you start your program before Winter 2026? If so, please follow the link below to see the course requirements for your program.
Thesis or Extended Essay
The MA thesis process has three main stages.
MA thesis prospectus
The MA thesis prospectus offers a preliminary description of the thesis's proposed argument and explains this argument's relation to existing research on the topic. The prospectus is usually completed in the first term of the second year and is typically ~2500 words long.
The MA Thesis
Students will work with a supervisor and a second committee member on their thesis. The type and amount of thesis supervision will be dictated by the topic, the needs of the individual student, and the supervisor's preferred methods. Drafts will be submitted as you proceed, and the final thesis is roughly 60 pages. The thesis will be assigned a Pass/Fail grade.
Thesis Submission
Once assessed, students will prepare the final form of the thesis per Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies regulations.
Defense
An oral examination is not required.
Program Completion
Your program will be closed when you have completed 21 credits (typically 7 courses) and the Master Thesis has been approved.
Students have the option of completing a three-credit extended essay (GRSJ 510) instead of writing a nine-credit thesis. The work may develop an essay previously completed as part of a graduate seminar or pursue a new topic.
While the MA thesis is Pass/Fail, the extended essay is graded.
Extended Essay Proposal and Registration
To register for the extended essay, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant by the end of the first year of your studies.
Extended Essay Preparation and Writing
Students will write an essay under a faculty member or faculty associate’s supervision (the essay will be around 33 - 40 pages). It is expected that the supervisor of the essay and student will meet on at least three occasions during the process:
- To define the topic, reading list and expectations;
- To review a first draft of the essay;
- On completion of the final draft.
A second reader also reviews the final draft. Although the essay need not be accepted for publication (it need only be judged publishable), the supervisor and second reader should ideally provide advice in identifying suitable publication outlets and a strategy for bringing the essay to publication.
The essay will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Research/documentation skills;
- Evidence of critical thought and analysis;
- Appropriate writing skills and format/presentation.
Important: It will take at least two weeks for your two readers to respond after the extended essay is submitted to them. If revisions are required, the committee will typically require an additional two weeks to respond after each submission.
Completion of Extended Essay
An oral critique/defense is not required. Once the supervisor and second reader approve revisions (if any), a percentage grade will be assigned by the supervisor and submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant for entry.
A final version of the essay must be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant.
Program Completion
Your program will be closed when you have completed 27 credits (typically 9 courses) and the extended essay.
Supervision
Supervisors advise on the MA study program including course choices, grant possibilities and potential members of supervisory committee. Students are paired with a supervisor with an eye to research fit during the admissions process.
- It is not always possible to exactly match research areas, and changing supervisors throughout the thesis or extended essay process is not uncommon.
- GRSJ students draw on the Institute’s associate faculty members to serve as supervisors and committee members.
- Students should meet with their supervisors at least once a term.
- Students may change supervisors or committee members at any time with the approval of the graduate program chair.