A Social Sciences Honours degree will set you apart from other applicants for jobs, professional training, or graduate schools, and will prepare you well for your future, whatever path you choose to take.

• Opens the option to focus on two areas of study in a Combined Honours program. This option is not available to students in a three-year BA program.
• Become eligible to complete a minor (24 units) in another subject area. Minors are only open to students enrolled in an Honours program.
• Participate in the Study Abroad program in your third year of study. Only open to Honours students.
• Receive advanced training in your area of expertise in small fourth-year seminars. Get to know your professors (critical for graduate school application references) and classmates in the small seminar classes, and develop your skills in communication, teamwork and research.
• You can conduct your own research through an Honours Thesis, Research Project or Capstone course.
• You will receive the necessary academic preparation for graduate school. Most graduate schools require at least a BA Honours for entry.
• Looks good on your résumé. Demonstrate to employers that you have developed strong skills and abilities that can be transferred to the workplace. You will have completed a high quality, highly selective program of study and research.
• Unlock the ability to transfer to a graduate program with a three-year degree if you are admitted to a professional program.

For many students, the first step to earning a degree is choosing a major or program of study. A major is the broad area of study or discipline in which a student chooses to study, such as Anthropology, Labour Studies or Political Science. Within a BA Honours degree (four years) in your chosen area of study, there may also be an option to select a Specialist Option or a Specialization. 

• An Honours degree indicates a broad knowledge in your chosen major. You will take approximately half of your upper-level courses (45-48 units) in one main subject area. 
• An Honours degree Co-op Option is for students interested in pursuing the Honours, Bachelor of Arts Co-op in the specified program. Co-op Option programs in Social Sciences require the same as the Honours programs as well as an additional application and interview. For more information on Co-op in the Social Sciences visit the website.
• An Honours Specialist Option encourages you to deepen your knowledge in your area of study, focusing your undergraduate degree to prepare you to move on to graduate studies.  You will take more units in the main subject area than for the Honours degree (48-54 units), and some of these courses will be taught at a more academically rigorous level.  
  • Faculty of Social Sciences departments that offer Honours Specialist Option programs include Economics and Sociology. 
• An Honours Specialization provides a specific area of emphasis or focus within your chosen major, requiring you to take 54-66 units of coursework within your area of study. A specialization provides preparation to proceed to a higher degree, but its primary function is to provide a comprehensive education at the undergraduate level. A specialization can help inform potential employers about your specific area of interest and expertise.  
  • Faculty of Social Sciences departments that offer Honours Specialization programs include Health Aging & Society, Political Science, and Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour. 

If you are eager and motivated, you will succeed regardless of whether you select a generalist approach (Honours) or a specific area of focus (Honours Specialist Option or Honours Specialization). 

Would you like more information about Specialist Option programs or Specializations? Speak with a department representative. 

Choose a program option below for further detail and specific academic requirements: 

Honours Economics (Specialist Option) (B.A.)
Honours Sociology (Specialist Option) (B.A.)
Honours Aging & Society Specialization in Mental Health and Addiction (B.A.)
Honours Health & Society Specialization in Mental Health and Addiction (B.A.)
Honours Political Science Specialization in Global Citizenship (B.A.)
Honours Political Science Specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies (B.A.)
Honours Psychology Neuroscience & Behaviour – Mental Health Specialization (B.A.)
Honours Psychology Neuroscience & Behaviour – Music Cognition Specialization (B.A.) 

Get an Honours degree and a college certificate in four years using your elective credits! No extra time or course fees.

The McMaster/Mohawk affiliated certificate program allows you to earn a degree and a specialized certificate concurrently. Take advantage of the practical, hands-on skills gained through a Mohawk College certificate without leaving the McMaster campus.

This program is to McMaster Social Sciences students and offers an innovative way to balance the theoretical knowledge you expect from a university education with the practical application traditionally offered in college. Students will gain desired practical skills, taught by working professionals in the field. All courses are taught on campus by Mohawk College instructors.

Learn more about the Mohawk certificates

The Careers & Experiential Education team supports programming related to career development, experiential teaching and learning, and more!

Beginning in Level II, you can take Social Sciences 2EL0: Introduction to Career Planning in the Social Sciences, a six-week, tuition-free course focusing on career exploration and job search strategies. Students who earn a ‘pass’ in 2EL0 are eligible to apply for positions in our optional, paid Internship Program, either on a full-time or part-time basis.

Our team also assists instructors with delivering experiential learning, for example, through in-course academic placements and field experiences. In terms of extra-curricular experiences, individual students and teams are eligible for funding and awards to support experiential and community-related initiatives.

If you’re interested in career development or getting unique experiences, reach out to our team!

Learn more about Careers & Experiential Education

Academic Advising: Providing students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

The Mission of the Academic Advising Office is to assist students in the Faculty of Social Sciences in realizing their full potential. The academic advising staff interacts with students in a variety of settings, evaluating their needs and teaching them how to navigate the post-secondary education system. We work with students to develop and implement individual plans for the purpose of achieving both academic and personal goals.

Academic Advisors provide support in the following areas:

• Identifying individual education goals.
• Programs and course registration.
• Interpretation of academic regulations.
• Academic work accommodations.
• Exploring resources available on campus.

Book an appointment to speak to an Advisor

Get an Academic Advisement Report
Grading System
Important Dates and Deadlines
Student Responsibilities