Application Information

Our Program

The Collaborative Specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to bring together students from a variety of disciplines based on their common research interests in queer, trans, and sexuality studies. We provide students with the analytical competencies needed to pursue sexuality studies research through an intersectional lens by fostering critical conversations and analyses of queer, trans, and gender-non- conforming lived experience at the intersections of race, class, gender, empire, migration, disability, citizenship status, and the legacies of settler colonialism. During their time in the Collaborative Specialization, SDS students gain a distinctive approach to the materials of their home subject and become part of a diverse community of scholars through public lectures, student focused workshops, and intellectual exchange among members of the Bonham Centre. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of the participating home graduate unit and the collaborative specialization, students will receive a certificate in Sexual Diversity Studies from our program and the notation “Completed Collaborative Specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies” will appear on their transcript.

Application Information

The graduate collaborative specialization in Sexual Diversity Studies is available at both Master’s and Doctoral levels. A collaborative specialization requires admission to a master’s or doctoral degree program at the University of Toronto (e.g., English, History, Social Work, Law). Once admitted to a UofT graduate program, students can apply to the SDS collaborative specialization. Applications to the SDS collaborative specialization will be considered at any time. For example, students well into a U of T graduate program may apply for admission to the SDS program. For purposes of SDS course enrollment, we recommend students apply before the start of the Fall term.

Admission to the collaborative specialization will depend on the applicant’s intention to pursue the study of questions related to sexuality, their academic record, and in the case of Ph.D. applicants, on the availability of appropriate supervisory faculty.

Applications must include:

• a cover letter that includes an indication of home program, year in that program, and, if applicable, membership of thesis committee (suggested length: 1 page)
• a statement of research interest (suggested length: 2 pages)
• a copy of academic records to date, including courses being taken the year of application

Applications to the collaborative specialization and any questions about the program should be submitted via email to sexual.diversity@utoronto.ca.