how long does a sociology phd take

Earning A Ph.D. In Sociology: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: May 30, 2023, 2:17am

Earning a Ph.D. in sociology helps you build a high-level career in a competitive field. As the discipline’s terminal degree, a doctorate in sociology qualifies graduates for roles in academia, business, government and nonprofits.

Ph.D. in sociology programs provide a strong grounding in sociological theory and practice and the opportunity to conduct original research.

If you want to explore a Ph.D. in sociology, this article is for you. We’ll explain what to expect from a doctoral program in sociology, including admission criteria, common requirements and sociology careers for graduates.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

What Does a Ph.D. in Sociology Entail?

What is sociology ? This field studies societies and the human relationships within them, often with the goal of addressing inequities and divisions.

A sociology Ph.D. prepares you to conduct independent research or teach at the college level. Here’s what you should expect if you plan to earn a Ph.D. in sociology.

Ph.D. in Sociology Admission Requirements

Admission to Ph.D. in sociology programs is highly competitive, with acceptance rates at some schools as low as 4%.

Admissions committees look at several factors when considering grad school applicants . Ph.D. in sociology programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, plus a statement of purpose, scholarly writing samples, a résumé, recommendation letters and GRE scores.

Competitive applicants hold strong social science backgrounds with completed coursework in sociological theory, statistics and research methods. Most doctoral programs in sociology accept candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s in sociology or a related field. Those with bachelor’s degrees in sociology typically earn a master’s midway through the doctoral program.

Applicants without a sociology background can use their personal statement to explain how their experience and interests align with a sociology program.

Ph.D in Sociology Program Formats

Most doctoral sociology programs are traditional on-campus programs. Fully online Ph.D. programs in sociology are rare, though students may take individual courses online.

Ph.D. candidates spend less time on campus once they begin their dissertations. However, it’s wise to select your school and living situation with regular campus visits in mind.

Learners set on an online program are more likely to find an online Ph.D. program in a related major, such as a doctorate in social work .

Common Ph.D. in Sociology Degree Requirements

Sociological theory.

Many Ph.D. in sociology programs include one or more required theory courses. Understanding sociological theory helps future sociologists engage with the discipline’s history and its contemporary debates as researchers, thinkers and teachers.

Theory courses cover seminal theorists like Karl Marx, Max Weber and Émile Durkheim and explore how contemporary writers and researchers apply, challenge and adapt classical sociological thought to current issues and perspectives.

Social Data Analysis and Research

Courses in social data analysis and research bring theory into practice. A Ph.D. is a research-oriented degree that prepares graduates to produce independent research projects like dissertations.

Students learn to conduct sociological studies, draw conclusions and present findings. Data analysis and collection methods include interviews, field notes and statistical analysis.

In some programs, candidates build hands-on skills in a research practicum. Learners can also gain research experience (and help pay for their degrees ) through faculty research assistantships.

Complete Residency Credits

“Residency credits” refer to how many courses you take at your degree-granting institution. Most Ph.D. candidates fulfill residency requirements simply by completing their program’s coursework. Sometimes, a doctoral student can earn residency credits by completing a master’s degree in sociology from the same school as their doctorate.

However, transfer students and those intending to study abroad should consult an advisor or registrar to ensure they meet residency credit requirements.

Careers for Ph.D. in Sociology Graduates

What can you do with a sociology degree ? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports only 3,000 sociologists working in the United States as of 2021, though many individuals with doctorates in sociology hold other job titles. Doctoral degrees demonstrate research skills and specialized training to set candidates apart in a tight job market.

For many roles, particularly in academia, a Ph.D. is mandatory. Below, we highlight some common career paths for Ph.D. in sociology graduates. All salary data mentioned below is sourced from the BLS.

Sociology Professor

Median Annual Salary: $79,640 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: Sociology professors train the next generation of sociologists. Depending on their institution and experience, sociology professors teach undergraduates from other majors as well. Along with classroom responsibilities, sociology professors may conduct research, publish articles and books, attend academic conferences and serve on administrative committees.

Human Resources Manager

Median Annual Salary: $126,230 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +7% Job Description: Sociologists use data to understand human behavior and can apply this knowledge to many business subfields, especially in people-focused fields like human resources . Human resource managers have many personnel-centered responsibilities, including hiring and training, mediating disputes and helping shape an organization’s workplace culture.

Sociologist

Median Annual Salary: $92,910 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +5% Job Description: Sociologists in and out of academia can pursue research roles. According to the BLS , more sociologists hold research and development roles in social sciences and humanities than in any other industry. Sociologists study social behavior, design and conduct research studies, and present their findings through reports, articles and presentations.

Social and Community Service Managers

Median Annual Salary: $74,000 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: A social and community services career suits Ph.D. in sociology graduates seeking applied—rather than research-based—careers. Managers in this sector plan, shape and oversee programs and services that support public well-being.

Social and community service managers work for nonprofit and for-profit social services organizations and government agencies and target needs such as elder services, child and family services, food security or mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Ph.D. in Sociology

What can i do with a sociology ph.d..

Many Ph.D. in sociology graduates go into academia and research-focused careers. However, sociology graduates can also find work in human resources, marketing and social services.

How much do you make with a Ph.D. in sociology?

A Ph.D. in sociology qualifies graduates for various high-paying jobs. One of the highest-paying jobs is human resources manager, with an annual median salary of $126,230 as of 2021, according to the BLS . Sociology professors and research sociologists earn median annual salaries of $79,640 and $92,910 as of 2021, respectively.

How many years does it take to get a Ph.D. in sociology?

A typical Ph.D. in sociology program lasts five to six years. Students with work or family obligations may take longer to complete their degrees. Conversely, candidates with a master’s in sociology may finish faster. Some programs allow candidates to take up to nine years in certain circumstances.

• Types Of Psychology Careers
• How Much Does A Psychologist Make?
• How To Become A Forensic Psychologist
• How To Become A Psychologist
• How To Earn An MBA Degree
• How To Become A Financial Manager
• How To Become A Marketing Manager
• How To Become A Sales Manager
• Types Of Computer Programming Jobs
• Coding Jobs – Career And Degree Options
• Are Bootcamps Worth It?
• How Much Do Data Scientists Make?
• Best Online MSW Programs 2024
• Types Of Careers In Social Work
• Everything About Social Work Careers
• How To Earn A Bachelor's In Social Work
• How To Become A Marketing Director
• How To Choose A Career In Marketing
• How To Choose A Major
• Best Soft Skills For Tech Professionals
• How To Find Remote Internships
• How To Become An Anesthesiologist
• How Long Does It Take To Become An Anesthesiologist?

Best Doctorate In Theology Online Programs Of 2024

Where To Earn An Online Ph.D. In Clinical Research In 2024

How To Become A Certified Veterinary Technician: A Complete Guide

How To Become an Environmental Scientist: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Become A Soil Scientist: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Become A Research Scientist: What To Know

With five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learners alike. Prior to joining Forbes Advisor's education team, Ilana wrote and edited for websites such as BestColleges.com and AffordableCollegesOnline.org.

Our websites may use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience. By continuing without changing your cookie settings, you agree to this collection. For more information, please see our University Websites Privacy Notice .

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Sociology

Ph.d. in sociology.

UConn’s Ph.D. in Sociology trains students to scientifically analyze culture, human interactions, and social relationships. Graduates pursue careers in academia, research, government, and industry, where they work on important topics that impact our society.

The Department of Sociology offers a Master of Arts (MA) and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology. Most students enter with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and obtain the MA in Sociology in the first two years of the program, then proceed to the Ph.D.

Students who are admitted with the MA in Sociology from another institution will typically finish the Ph.D. program in a shorter time. Students entering with graduate degrees in disciplines other than Sociology must fulfill the requirements of both the MA and Ph.D.

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies

• Graduate Handbook
• Graduate Academic Regulations
• Registrar's Graduate Forms
• Registrar Steps to a Successful Graduation

Request Information

Apply to UConn

Degree Requirements

Below are the general requirements for the Sociology MA/Ph.D. degree, consistent with the Graduate School policies in the Graduate Catalog . For more detailed information please see the Graduate Handbook.

MA/Ph.D. Track

Students entering the Ph.D. program without a Master of Arts in Sociology (with completed thesis) must complete additional requirements to earn a Master's degree before completing the requirements for the Ph.D. in Sociology. It is expected that most students will complete the MA degree in two years.

In Sociology, students follow the Plan A (thesis) requirements for the Master's degree and continue into the Ph.D. program. Students only enroll in the Plan B (non-thesis) program if they will be discontinuing from the MA/Ph.D. program.

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation with a Master's Degree  for full information regarding required timelines and paperwork.

Courses and Credits for the MA

The Master’s degree in Sociology requires a minimum of 39 credits in Sociology, including the following:

• SOCI 5001 & 5002 Proseminar (year long, 3 credits)
• SOCI 5201 The Logic of Social Research (3 credits)
• SOCI 5203 Quantitative Methods I (3 credits)
• SOCI 5231 Qualitative Methods I (3 credits)
• SOCI 5251 Core Theorists (3 credits)
• GRAD 5950 Master’s Thesis Research (9 credits)
• Plus 15 additional credits in Sociology

MA Plan of Study

The Master’s plan of study should be filed by the end of the fourth week of the student’s final semester before the degree is completed. Make sure to count only 39 Sociology credits toward the Master’s Degree. Additional credits can be carried forward to the Ph.D. program.

Credits for 6203 and 6231 should not be included on the MA Plan of Study and will carry forward to the Ph.D. program. Students that decide to take both SOCI 6203 & SOCI 6231 in the same semester of their second year will need to take an additional elective in the Spring of the second year.

To complete a Master’s thesis, students need to have their Master’s thesis research plan approved by their Advisory Committee. Students in consultation with their Advisory Committee may be asked to hold a Master’s thesis proposal defense, but a formal proposal defense is not required of a Master’s thesis. All students who complete a Master’s thesis must pass a formal Master’s thesis defense. Students are expected to complete the Master’s thesis ideally by the end of their fourth semester in the program.

Plan B (non-thesis)

Students who do not wish to continue in the program may elect to complete the Plan B option. In addition to completion of the coursework outlined above, students must also submit a portfolio of their scholarly work. The portfolio should consist of a minimum of 3 papers, each at least 15 pages in length, that together illustrate a command of sociological theory, research methods, and at least one substantive area. The scholarly work may originate from:

• Formal course requirements, such as research papers that demonstrate competency in one or more of the areas outlined above. Students are urged to pursue with their Advisory Committee the appropriateness of course related submissions
• Research or writing done in an independent study
• Non-course related accomplishments, such as grant proposals or conference presentations

In all cases, any written material that is co-authored is not eligible for submission as part of the student’s portfolio. The portfolio should be designed in consultation with the major advisor and will be evaluated by the student’s three-person advisory committee. Please note, students who choose this option cannot continue into the PhD portion of the program and thus the election of this option is only advised for students seeking a terminal Master’s degree.

Please note that Plan B students do not receive thesis credits. These students must take additional elective classes to attain the 39 total credits necessary for the Plan B Master's.

Ph.D. Track

Once the MA is completed, the Ph.D. typically requires an additional four years to complete. Students entering the Ph.D. program with a MA in Sociology, with a completed thesis, may be required to complete additional coursework to cover equivalent material as students who attained their degrees at UConn.

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation with a Doctoral Degree for full information regarding required timelines and paperwork.

Courses and Credits for the Ph.D.

• SOCI 6203 Quantitative Methods II (3credits)
• SOCI 6231 Qualitative Methods II (3 credits)
• 12 credits of Sociology elective seminars
• 15 credits of GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research

Major Advisor and Advisory Committee

All students in the graduate program must have a Major Advisor who is a tenured or tenure track member of the Sociology Department and the UConn Graduate Faculty. The Major Advisor should be selected by mutual consent between the student and the faculty member based on similarity of interests and/or availability of the faculty member. The Major Advisor serves as a mentor to the student, Chair of the Master’s Thesis Committee, General (Area) Exam Committee, and Dissertation Committee. The Director of Graduate Studies will facilitate the selection of an initial Major Advisor for students entering the program. Students may change the Major Advisors if it becomes apparent that another faculty member is more suitable. In such cases, appropriate forms must be filed with the Graduate School to make the change official. By the start of their second year in the program, all students should have an Advisory Committee of at least three members, the composition of which is described in the paragraph below. The Advisory Committee serves as the student’s Master’s Thesis Committee.

The members of the Advisory Committee are also chosen by mutual consent of the student and the faculty members. The Advisory Committee consists of two faculty members in addition to the Major Advisor. In cases where the student forms a three-person Advisory Committee, all three must be members of the Sociology Department or affiliated members of the Sociology Department. All members of the three-person Advisory Committee must be members of the UConn Graduate Faculty. In cases where the student forms an Advisory Committee of more than three faculty members, these faculty must meet the same requirements, except that a fourth and fifth member may also be: a) a faculty member from another UConn department who is a member of the Graduate Faculty, b) a faculty member from another university who receives approval from the Graduate School.

Most students constitute an Advisory Committee of only three members during the M.A. portion of the program and increase the Advisory Committee to four or five persons during the PhD portion of the program . The decision about the size of the Advisory Committee is at the discretion of the student in consultation with the Advisor and other members of the Advisory Committee. Students may change members of their Advisory Committees if other faculty are more suitable and are willing to serve. When a change is made to the Advisory Committee, appropriate paperwork should be filed.

Ph.D. Plan of Study

The Ph.D. plan of study should be submitted when no more than 18 credits of coursework toward the degree have been completed. Forms should be filed with the Registrar’s Office. The Plan of Study should reflect all content coursework and research credits (GRAD 6950). Please note that students who completed more than 39 credits before filing for their MA degree should include the excess credits on the Ph.D. Plan of Study.

Ph.D. General Exam

The General Exam must be taken after all Sociology coursework for the Ph.D. is completed (including removal of all incompletes), unless there is unanimous consent by the General Exam Committee that it can occur earlier. The General Exam is designed to demonstrate mastery over at least one area, of sociological expertise, but two areas is more typical. The Exam should be considered a “bridge” between coursework and the dissertation. It is designed to go beyond previous coursework that a student has taken, and to be broader than a dissertation-specific topic. The breadth of the General Exam should dovetail with that of an ASA section or the intersection of two ASA sections .

The reading list for the General Exam will be tailored to the student’s interests within the area and will be determined by a process of negotiation between the student and the members of the General Exam Committee. Those faculty members with greater expertise in the area will typically have greater influence in shaping the reading list, but all committee members must approve the list before the exam can be scheduled.

The General Exam shall have both a written and oral component. It is important to simultaneously schedule both the written and the oral components. Students will have two weeks to complete the written portion. The written portion is take-home, with open book and open notes. Students will typically respond to at least three questions designed to emphasize a broad understanding of theory, methods, and substantive areas. Faculty have leeway as to how they ask questions and what choices students have in answering questions. Student responses must be 40 pages or less (not counting references).

The oral portion of the General Exam must be completed within one week of turning in the written portion. During the oral portion, committee members may probe answers that seem insufficient, ask about questions the student did not choose to answer, or raise anything else within the parameters of the reading list. There can be no feedback from committee members to the student between the written and oral portions, except for questions of clarification.

The written and oral portions shall be assigned a single grade of either “Pass” or “Fail.” A grade of “Pass” requires a positive vote of at least four members of the General Exam Committee. There is no grade of “Partial Pass” and there is no provision for retaking just a portion of the General Exam.

If the student fails the General Exam, they may schedule a second opportunity to take it within six months of failing the first exam. The student may constitute a new General Exam Committee for the second exam, but ordinarily this is not advisable. If the student fails the exam a second time, or does not complete it within six months, this is grounds for dismissal from the graduate program.

Dissertation Proposal

According to Graduate School rules, the Dissertation Committee must consist of five faculty members. If the student’s Advisory Committee has less than five members, then the student must ask additional faculty members to be present at the dissertation defense as members of the Dissertation Committee. A fourth and fifth member may also be:

• a faculty member in Sociology who is a member of the Graduate Faculty
• a faculty member from another UConn department who is a member of the Graduate Faculty
• a faculty member from another university who receives approval by the Graduate School. These additional members do not have voting status on passing the dissertation, but they must sign the paperwork required to indicate they were present at the defense.

The decision to approve the dissertation is made by those members of the Dissertation Committee who are also members of the student’s Advisory Committee. Approval of the dissertation is thus determined by a majority of faculty on the Advisory Committee voting to approve the dissertation. A majority is defined as 2-1 in the case of a three-person Advisory Committee, 3-1 in the case of a four-person Advisory Committee, and 3-2 in the case of a five-person Advisory Committee.

Final Semester

Student's should complete these steps to prep for graduation in their final semester:

• Apply to Graduate in the Student Administration System by the  fourth week of the semester . This application can be withdrawn at any time by the student if needed.
• Check name and addresses
• Prepare for oral defense (two weeks prior)
• Submit final paperwork (deadline published on Academic Calendar )
• Submit dissertation
• Check email to confirm progress of steps to graduation

See the Registrar's Steps to a Successful Graduation for the Doctoral Degree for full details regarding degree conferral.

Applications are due by January 5.

Prospective students may apply to the program online via the Graduate School’s website.

Full Admissions Requirements

For more information about the Ph.D. in Sociology, please contact:

Jeremy Pais

Department of Sociology

About Our Graduate Program:

Please note our updated application requirements; for the fall 2024 application the GRE is required.

Graduate studies in the Department of Sociology at Princeton prepare students for the degree of doctor of philosophy.

The program focuses on guiding students who have excelled as consumers of knowledge through the transition to becoming producers of scholarship. Students are encouraged to focus on independent research projects early in their graduate careers and to work closely with faculty -- through coursework, research assistantships, independent study, and informal mentoring. Co-authorship with faculty is common, and students are expected to produce a piece of publishable, independent scholarship during their second year within the context of the yearlong course, the Empirical Seminar. We encourage students be proactive in developing individualized programs that meet their particular interests and needs while, of course, fulfilling general requirements. Admission is highly selective: We look for creative, accomplished people whose interests and aspirations can be well served by the Department's substantive and methodological strengths. Students come from a diverse range of personal and academic backgrounds. Prior undergraduate experience in sociology is not required. Detailed information is available by consulting the subsections of the graduate program website, including the section for Prospective Students and the FAQs.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to read the FAQs. Questions about applications and fee waivers should be sent to the Graduate School. The DGS is unable to reply to individaul admissions inquires.

—  Adam Goldstein , Director of Graduate Studies

• Degrees Associate Degrees Bachelor's Degrees Master's Degrees Doctorate Degrees Online Programs Online Associate Degrees Online Bachelor's Degrees Online Master's Degrees Online Doctorate Degrees Degrees by State Top Ranked Schools
• Subjects All Subjects and Degree Programs Agricultural Studies Architecture Design Biological Sciences Business Management Computer Science Culinary and Cosmetic Services Engineering Health Professions and Medical Services Humanities and Liberal Arts Legal Studies Mechanical and Electrical Repair Media Related Communications Physical Science Psychology School Administration Transportation and Distribution Services Visual and Performing Arts
• Careers Career Aptitude Tests Career Planning Career Profiles Career Roadmaps Career Training FAQs Education and Career FAQs Job Resume FAQs Salary FAQs
• Resources All Articles All Videos Scholarships

In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask you enter in the text you see in the image below so we can confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

ABOUT LEARN.ORG

• Privacy Policy
• © Copyright 2003- 2024 Learn.org, all rights reserved.

Subscribe to Student Saver

Free breaking news and coverage of savings in education

FellowshipBard

Phd in sociology: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in sociology.

A doctoral degree program in sociology focuses on advanced study and research in the discipline of sociology, which is the scientific study of human society and social behavior.

Sociology is a social science that studies social structures, institutions, organizations, culture, social interaction, and social change.

A Ph.D. in Sociology degree typically prepares students to become sociology scholars, researchers, instructors, or experts.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology typically must complete coursework in advanced sociological theory, research methods, and statistics, as well as specialized courses in their chosen areas of interest within sociology, such as sociology of education, sociology of gender, sociology of health and illness, sociology of race and ethnicity, or sociology of organizations, among others.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology are also required to conduct original research and write a dissertation, which is a substantial piece of scholarly work that adds to the existing body of sociological knowledge.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Sociology?

Sociology Ph.D. holders tend to earn better salaries than people with lower levels of education in the area, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual pay for sociologists, including those with Ph.D. degrees, was $83,420 in May 2020. However, it is important to note that this statistic represents the median, which means that half of all sociologists earned more and half earned less.

Wages for tenure-track or tenured professors in academia can range from $60,000 to $100,000 per year, with greater wages often linked with more senior posts or jobs at prestigious colleges.

Sociologists with Ph.D.s who work at research institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other contexts may be paid differently depending on their positions, responsibilities, and the size and location of the organization. Salaries might range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more per year, based on the conditions indicated above.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Sociology?

Sociologists, particularly those with a Ph.D., face a competitive work market, with restricted prospects in specific fields and sectors. However, possibilities for Ph.D. holders in Sociology still exist, particularly in academia, research, and applied contexts.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of sociologists, including those with Ph.D. degrees, is expected to expand at the same rate as the national average from 2020 to 2030.

Sociologists with Ph.D.s may find employment outside of academia in research institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other applied contexts.

These jobs could include conducting research, policy analysis, program assessment, or other sociological work on social issues such as education, health, crime, race and ethnicity, inequality, and more.

What can you do with a PhD in Sociology?

You can pursue a range of employment routes and opportunities with a Ph.D. in Sociology, including:

1. Academic Researcher or Professor: Sociology Ph.D. holders may work as researchers or professors in universities or colleges. Conducting sociological research, publishing scholarly articles, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring students, and contributing to the academic community through conferences, workshops, and other scholarly activities may all fall under this category.

2. Applied Researcher: Sociologists with Ph.D.s can work in research institutes, think tanks, policy organizations, and other applied contexts. They can do study on social topics such as education, healthcare, criminal justice, inequality, racism and ethnicity, gender, and others in order to inform policies and practices addressing societal difficulties.

3. Program Evaluator: Sociologists with Ph.D. degrees can work as program evaluators, examining the success of various social initiatives and interventions. This can include assessing the outcomes and consequences of programs and policies, conducting research to support program improvements, and presenting decision-makers with evidence-based recommendations.

4. Consultant or Analyst: Sociology Ph.D. holders can work as consultants or analysts, advising businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other groups on social concerns. To solve social and organizational difficulties, this may entail undertaking research, data analysis, and strategy planning.

5. Non-profit or non-governmental organization (NGO) Work: Sociologists with Ph.D. degrees can work in non-profit or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), where they can lend their expertise to social issues such as human rights, social justice, and community development.

6. Work in Government or Policy: Sociology Ph.D. holders can work in government agencies such as municipal, state, or federal departments, giving insights and expertise on social issues to inform policy formation, implementation, and assessment.

7. Independent Researchers: Sociologists with Ph.D. degrees can also pursue independent research careers, in which they conduct their own research projects, publish findings, and contribute to the field of sociology through unique research and ideas.

8. Teaching and Education: Sociology Ph.D. holders can work as teachers, instructors, or curriculum planners in educational institutions such as K-12 schools, community colleges, or vocational schools, presenting sociological viewpoints in the subject of education.

9. Social Activism and Advocacy: Sociologists with Ph.D.s can serve as social activists or advocates, using their sociological knowledge to increase awareness, advocate for social change, and promote social justice and equality.

10. Other employment: Sociology Ph.D. holders may pursue employment in disciplines such as market research, data analysis, human resources, public relations, and others where their sociological abilities and perspectives can be useful.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Sociology?

The specific requirements for obtaining a PhD in Sociology can vary depending on the institution and program, but generally, the following are common requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Applicants to most PhD programs in Sociology must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Although it is not usually required, certain schools may accept applicants with a Master’s degree in a related discipline.

2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants are usually expected to present certified transcripts of their undergraduate and graduate education, which demonstrate their academic performance and achievement.

3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are typically expected to provide a personal statement or statement of purpose detailing their research interests, academic ambitions, and reason for pursuing a PhD in Sociology.

4. Standardized Test Scores: Applicants to many PhD programs may be required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other related assessments.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to PhD programs in Sociology are frequently required to provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who may speak to the applicant’s academic talents, research potential, and eligibility for a PhD program.

Looking For Scholarship Programs? Click here

How long does it take to get a phd in sociology.

The time it takes to earn a Ph.D. in Sociology depends on a number of factors, including the program structure, individual advancement, and the institution’s special criteria. A Ph.D. in Sociology typically takes 4-7 years to complete, though this might vary.

Looking For Fully Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

Do you need a masters in sociology to get a phd in sociology.

In most circumstances, a master’s degree in sociology is not required to acquire a Ph.D. in sociology. Many Ph.D. programs in Sociology welcome candidates with a bachelor’s degree straight into their doctorate program, and the program may contain coursework and other components meant to give the essential training and preparation for the Ph.D. level.

What are the Best PhD in Sociology Degree programs?

1. harvard university – department of sociology 2. stanford university – department of sociology 3. university of california, berkeley – department of sociology 4. princeton university – department of sociology 5. university of chicago – department of sociology 6. columbia university – department of sociology 7. university of pennsylvania – department of sociology 8. university of california, los angeles (ucla) – department of sociology 9. new york university (nyu) – department of sociology 10. university of michigan – department of sociology, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Professors Not Responding? Your CV May Be the Reason.

Try Our Ready-to-Use CV Templates Land You in Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Beyond!

• Support LUC
• Directories
• KRONOS Timecard
• Employee Self-Service
• Password Self-service
• Academic Affairs
• Advancement
• Admission: Adult B.A.
• Admission: Grad/Prof
• Admission: International
• Admission: Undergrad
• Alumni Email
• Alumni Relations
• Arrupe College
• Bursar's Office
• Campus Ministry
• Career Centers
• Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy
• Colleges and Schools
• Commencement
• Conference Services
• Continuing Education
• Course Evaluations IDEA
• Cuneo Mansion & Gardens
• Dining Services
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Emeriti Faculty Caucus
• Enterprise Learning Hub
• Executive and Professional Education
• Faculty Activity System
• Financial Aid
• Human Resources
• IBHE Institutional Complaint System
• Information Technology Services
• Learning Portfolio
• Loyola Health App
• Loyola University Chicago Retiree Association (LUCRA)
• Madonna della Strada Chapel
• Media Relations
• Navigate Staff
• Office of First Year Experience
• Office of Institutional Effectiveness
• President's Office
• Rambler Buzz
• Registration and Records
• Residence Life
• Retreat & Ecology Campus
• Rome Center
• School of Environmental Sustainability
• Security/Police
• Staff Council
• Student Achievement
• Student Consumer Information
• Student Development
• Study Abroad
• Summer Sessions
• University Policies
• Writing Center

Loyola University Chicago

Department of sociology, doctoral (phd) program.

The PhD program in Sociology is designed to produce independent scholars able to research, teach or serve in a variety of settings. We offer comprehensive training in the knowledge and skills which constitute professional competence in the field. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a broad foundation in general sociology and in more specialized knowledge related to students' career interests in teaching, research, governmental work, or public service.

Sociology, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Program learning outcomes
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Science, Scientist, cultures, human, inquiry, social

Admission standards for this program are changing for Fall 2024 applicants. Interested students should contact the department for more information.

Engage in ongoing research projects with individual faculty, research teams, and research institutes and centers from throughout ASU.

The PhD program in sociology provides advanced training in theory, research methodology and substantive fields to prepare sociologists for teaching and research with special emphasis on inequality and power; law and society; race and ethnicity; Latino sociology; health; and children, youth and families.

• College/school: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (6 credit hours) SOC 603 Perspectives in Sociological Inquiry (3) SOC 685 Applied Social Theory (3)

Theory (3 credit hours) SOC 585 Sociological Theory (3)

Methods (3 credit hours) SOC 591 Qualitative Research Methods (3)

Statistics (3 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) SOC 791 Topic: Integrative Research (3)

Elective and Research (54 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SOC 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's department and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree are allowed to be used toward this degree.

A minimum of 30 credit hours of the approved doctoral program, exclusive of dissertation and research hours, must be completed after admission to the program.

A qualifying exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation are required.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in sociology or related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• current resume or curriculum vitae
• personal statement detailing professional goals and research experiences
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic background
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

A personal statement is required. It must be three pages or less, double-spaced, and it must address the applicant's professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the program; describe strengths that will help the student succeed in the program and reach professional goals; describe research experience (a description of the master's thesis should be included, if applicable) and relevant responsibilities held; indicate personal research interests as specifically as possible; and include any additional information that will help the committee evaluate the application.

Three letters of recommendation are required, including at least two from instructors at the applicant's institution where undergraduate or graduate work was completed. These letters should be from people who know the applicant as a student or in a professional capacity. Letters from family members or friends do not meet this criterion.

Students should see the program website for application deadlines.

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

• Evaluate contemporary sociological perspectives in original written work.
• Apply sociological research methods to the analysis of data to create an original empirical research paper.
• Conduct research resulting in empirical papers that have an impact on relevant communities that are determined by the subjects of the research.

Professionals with expertise in research methodologies and data analysis as well as an understanding of cultural and social change, various social issues and phenomena are sought-after in many areas, including human services, business, education, public policy, and community service and nonprofit sectors.

Career examples include:

• demographers
• research professionals
• social and community service managers
• sociologists
• sociology instructors
• urban and regional planners

Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics | SS 144 [email protected] 480-965-6875

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Course Directory

PhD in Sociology

Postgraduate Study

• Why Cambridge overview
• Chat with our students
• Cambridge explained overview
• The supervision system
• Student life overview
• In and around Cambridge
• Leisure activities
• Student unions
• Music awards
• Student support overview
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disabled students
• Accommodation
• Language tuition
• Skills training
• Support for refugees
• Courses overview
• Department directory
• Qualification types
• Funded studentships
• Part-time study
• Research degrees
• Visiting students
• Finance overview
• Fees overview
• What is my fee status?
• Part-time fees
• Application fee
• Living costs
• Funding overview
• Funding search
• How to apply for funding
• University funding overview
• Research Councils (UKRI)
• External funding and loans overview
• Funding searches
• External scholarships
• Charities and the voluntary sector
• Funding for disabled students
• Widening participation in funding
• Colleges overview
• What is a College?
• Choosing a College
• Applying overview
• Before you apply
• Entry requirements
• Application deadlines
• How do I apply? overview
• Application fee overview
• Application fee waiver
• Life Science courses
• Terms and conditions
• Continuing students
• Disabled applicants
• Supporting documents overview
• Academic documents
• Finance documents
• Evidence of competence in English
• AI and postgraduate applications
• Terms and Conditions
• Applicant portal and self-service
• After you apply overview
• Confirmation of admission
• Student registry
• Previous criminal convictions
• Deferring an application
• Updating your personal details
• Appeals and Complaints
• Widening participation
• Postgraduate admissions fraud
• International overview
• Immigration overview
• ATAS overview
• Applying for an ATAS certificate
• Current Cambridge students
• International qualifications
• Competence in English overview
• What tests are accepted?
• International events
• International student views overview
• Akhila’s story
• Alex’s story
• Huijie’s story
• Kelsey’s story
• Nilesh’s story
• Get in touch!
• Events overview
• Upcoming events
• Postgraduate Open Days overview
• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
• Virtual tour
• Research Internships
• How we use participant data
• Postgraduate Newsletter

Primary tabs

• Overview (active tab)
• Requirements
• How To Apply

Course closed:

Sociology is no longer accepting new applications.

The Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge is a world-class centre for teaching and research in Sociology, with a proud tradition of research grounded in engagement with contemporary real-world issues.  

Our department is ranked first for Sociology in the  Guardian's Best Universities league table  and first for Sociology in the  Complete University Guide League Table 2023 . 

The UK's  2021 Research Excellence Framework  ranks our department second overall in the UK, and joint first for the research environment.  

And the  QS World University rankings  list our department as 6th of 330 sociology departments across the world in 2022. 

Our PhD programme combines taught content in research methods and academic skills with independent study under the supervision of one or more experts in the student's chosen field.  

Many of those who graduate from our PhD programme go on to become professional researchers or academics; others go on to work in the national government, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks and consultancies. 

Our PhD programme aims to create an environment which supports our students:

• to think critically;
• to undertake state-of-the-art research in their chosen fields;
• to engage with the world at the interface between theory, policy and practice;
• to develop a full portfolio of research skills;
• to produce a scholarly, exciting and socially relevant PhD;
• to move on to interesting and fulfilling jobs.

Admission to the PhD programme is via a competitive process, in which current Cambridge students are considered on the same basis as external applicants. Cambridge MPhil students require a final mark of at least 70 per cent overall, and 70 per cent on the dissertation, to continue to PhD study.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of sociology, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Latin American Studies (by thesis only) MPhil
• Development Studies MPhil
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Modern Middle Eastern Studies) MPhil
• Latin American Studies PhD
• Latin American Studies MPhil

Postgraduate Admissions Office

• Admissions Statistics
• Start an Application
• Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

• Bringing a family
• Current Postgraduates
• Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Department of Sociology

Graduate Program Guide

Faculty Advisers | M.A. Requirements | M.A. Transfer Credits | Advancement to the Ph.D. | Ph.D. Requirements | Additional Requirements | Program Standing | Requirements Timeline | Other Matters

These requirements apply to students who either opted into the new program or joined the Sociology PhD program in Fall 2023 or later. Students are responsible to learn departmental degree requirements, to be familiar with rules for determining standing in the program, and to understand the consequences of not meeting these standards. Failure to meet these standards may lead to incidents of probation or dismissal from the program.

FACULTY ADVISERS AND MENTORING 

First-Year Students:  In a student’s first year in the program, the DGS and Graduate Program Committee serve as their faculty mentors as part of the First-Year Mentoring Committee (FYMC). The FYMC meets collectively with the first-year cohort twice a month in the first semester, and once a month in the second semester. In addition, FYMC members are also available for one-on-one mentoring. At the end of the first year, the FYMC will help first-year students connect with a faculty member who will serve as their primary advisor/mentor in their second year in the program. (This faculty member is likely to be the advisor/mentor for the RC1 but does not have to be.)

The FYMC will also consult with the student as the student selects members for their Faculty Mentoring Committee (FMC) for the student’s second year in the program. The FMC is typically composed of two to three sociology faculty members. During the student’s second and third years in the program their RC faculty advisors/mentors (RC advisor) will likely be members of their FMC.

More Advanced Students:  For all students beyond the first-year students, each student will meet bi-annually with the student’s mentors/committee members (the FMC). The FMC is typically two to three sociology faculty members.  During the second and third years, the FMC typically includes the research collaborative advisor, and in later years, the special area paper and dissertation committee members (see below). The graduate student is responsible for scheduling the meetings.  The graduate student will share with committee members in advance of the meeting a document outlining the student’s expectations and plans for the coming academic year or summer.  The first meeting will take place at the beginning of the fall semester (no later than the end of September). In this meeting the student mentors will set expectations and define a plan for the coming academic year. The second meeting will take place at the end of the spring semester to evaluate progress and give advice for use of summertime. Mentoring committees will share progress reports with the DGS after the spring meeting to inform the letters of standing.

Return to top

OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER’S (M.A.) DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY

The master’s degree is earned in passing to the Ph.D. and requires 33 hours of formal, didactic coursework, including 12 hours of core courses with at least a B, and 21 hours of electives (6 credits must be methods focused, 9 credits must be theory focused). Transfer credits are not allowed for the master’s degree. Students must produce a paper by the end of their 4 th semester, as part of a successful Research Collaboration with a faculty member.  Research Collaboratives are official collaborations between the graduate student and a faculty member that take place in the student’s second and third years in the program.

Research Requirements for MA Degree

Research Collaboratives are official collaborations between the graduate student and a faculty member that take place in the student’s second and third years in the program.

Research Collaborative 1 (RC1) starts at the beginning of the summer after the student’s first year and continues through the student’s second year in the program. The student collaborates on research with a faculty advisor/mentor. At the end of RC1, the student in collaboration with the faculty advisor must have a paper completed that will be submitted to a peer-review academic journal. This paper is a requirement for the master’s degree.

RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH (RCR)

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training

RCRG 6303, 6304, 6305, 6306, and 6307.

CORE COURSES – B OR HIGHER (12 credit hours)

SOC 6301 Theoretical Foundations of Sociology (3)

SOC 6310 Second Year Research Practicum (3)

SOC 6311 Multivariate Analysis I (3)

SOC 6312 Multivariate Analysis 2 (3)

Elective COURSES (21 Credit hours)

Methods Focused Electives (6)

Theory Focused Electives (9)

Methods Focused, Theory Focused, Independent Study, or Approved Courses in other Departments (6)

33 total credit hours required for M.A.

All core courses must be passed with a grade of B or better to make satisfactory progress in the program. Grades lower than B will appear in the graduate student’s record at the Graduate School as having earned the student the credit hours corresponding to the course in question. However, students earn zero hours toward the department’s required 33 hours for the M.A. (72 hours for the Ph.D.) degree and must retake the course. Failing to earn a minimum course grade of B in the retaken course will result in the student’s termination from the program.

Participation in Department Colloquium Series and First-Year Professionalization Seminars is required. Consistent unexcused absences, lateness, or early departures are indicators of unsatisfactory performance and will result in an automatic instance of probation.

MA Required Courses

Theoretical Foundations of Sociology . The goal of this course (SOC 6301) is to produce scholars who think sociologically. The course gives students a foundation in the important classic and contemporary works of the discipline and introduces them to the intellectual history of sociology.

Second-Year Research Practicum . This course (SOC 6310) guides students as they conduct a research project and write a research paper suitable for submission to a peer-review journal. The course provides hands-on training in sociological research, including reviewing the literature, theorizing, methods of data gathering and analysis, and writing and revising the final research paper.

Statistical Analysis . Two statistics seminars are required for the M.A. degree: Multivariate Analysis I (SOC 6311) and Multivariate Analysis II (SOC 6312). The courses provide students with a firm foundation in statistical analysis, with special attention to the general linear model and the use of computer-based statistical programs. Students take these courses in the fall and spring semesters of their first year in the program

MA Elective Courses

Research Methods . Special Topics Seminars (SOC 9361-9371) provide deep focus on different research methods, with the goal of providing opportunities for students to develop both broad and specialized expertise in a number of methods. Examples of courses offered are Social Network Analysis, Survey Methods, Ethnography, and Historical Comparative Methods. At least 6 of the 21 hours of MA electives must be in Research Methods courses.

Intellectual History and Theory Construction . Survey Seminars (SOC 8329-8359) provide the intellectual history, foundational theories, and theory construction related to different substantive fields of study in the discipline of Sociology. These courses introduce students to different fields of study, while also giving them the tools to build and test theory that helps advance knowledge in these fields. At least 9 of the 21 hours of MA electives must be in Intellectual History and Theory Construction courses.

Sociological Theory:  Two theory courses are required for the M.A. degree: Classical Theory (S6301) and Contemporary Theory (S6302). These courses give students a foundation in the classic works of the discipline and in recent developments in social theory. The two courses will be offered sequentially every other year and both are 3-credit hour courses.

Research Methods:  All students will take Sociological Inquiry (S6310) which is an introduction to research methods, including theory construction, sociological reasoning, study design, and specific research techniques. This course will be offered at least every other fall semester and is worth 3 credits.

Statistical Analysis:  Two statistics seminars are required for the M.A. degree: Multivariate Analysis I (S6311) and Multivariate Analysis II (S6312). The courses provides students with a firm foundation in statistical analysis, with special attention to the general linear model and the use of computer-based statistical programs. Students will take these courses in the fall and spring semesters of their first year in the program; both are 3-credit courses.

Sociological Criticis:  The Workshop on Sociological Criticism (S7500) is an intensive introduction to peer review for publication, using materials from journal submissions to editorial correspondence. The 3- credit course will be offered at least every other spring semester.

Students must take eighteen hours of elective credit. Twelve of these credits must include any combination of Sociology’s Special Methods Workshops, Survey Seminars, or Special Topic Seminars. The remaining credits may be drawn from either directed study courses taught by Sociology faculty, one 3000-level undergraduate Sociology course that has been approved for graduate credit, or one graduate course in another department. Students must submit a Course Petition Form to the DGS for approval in order to take graduate courses in other departments. The Course Petition Form is available in Vanderbilt Box (the SOC. GRAD STUDENTS folder).

Special Methods Workshops: The department offers two special methods workshops: the Quantitative Methods Workshop (S7600) and the Qualitative Methods Workshop (S7700). These courses introduce students to specific research methods including, but not limited to, the following: comparative historical methods, ethnographic methods, survey construction, and advanced statistical methods such as event-history analysis, categorical analysis, and time series analysis. One of these courses will be offered at least every other year.

Survey Seminar:  These courses (S8329 – S8359) introduce students to a particular field of sociology and require them to write on aspects of that field. The seminars cover the major areas in sociology as they are represented at Vanderbilt and facilitate students’ ability to accumulate broad knowledge in a range of sociological literatures. At least four of these classes will be offered each year.

Special Topic Seminars and Directed Studies Courses:  Both Special Topic Seminars (S9361 – S9371) and Directed Studies courses (S9888-S9889) provide the opportunity for students and faculty to focus on substantive topics of mutual interest. Students may enroll in more than one section of either of these courses in a semester. Special Topic Seminars are 3-credit formal offerings which will be listed—with their special focus—in the course catalog. Directed Studies courses are tutorial relationships one or more students arrange with an individual faculty member; students may earn only up to 3 credits of directed study in a semester. Students must file a Request for Directed Studies  with the Graduate School. In the form, students must indicate the final products of the requested Directed Studies courses.

3000-Level Undergraduate Courses:  For the M.A., students may petition to take one 3000-level substantive area (i.e., non-methods or theory) course taught by Sociology graduate faculty. They must receive the consent of both the instructor and the DGS. The faculty member shall decide which undergraduate requirements the graduate student must meet, but the petition must reflect a higher level of requirements (e.g., assignments, readings) than those met by undergraduate students. A student can only take one of these during their graduate career and it must be taken in the first two years of the program.

Master’s Paper

Purpose . The master’s paper is intended to involve the student actively in research early in his/her graduate career. It is conceived as a high quality, empirical study that demonstrates the student’s mastery of research design and analysis. It may use original (qualitative or quantitative) data collected by the student or be an original analysis of secondary data. The bulk of the work on the paper should be carried out after the student’s matriculation to the program.

Timing . The student will develop the idea for a proposal for the master’s paper by the end of his/her first year, in consultation with a faculty member who will act as advisor to the project. The student will name his/her master’s committee chair and submit a two-page abstract of the proposed project by May 1 in the first spring semester to the DGS (with a copy to his/her committee chair). This abstract must include a timeline for completion of the project; work in the summer between the first and second year should be a major factor in this timeline. The student must begin proactively and consistently working with the chair of the master’s committee at this point. By October 1 in the first semester of the student’s second year, s/he will identify the additional members of the master’s paper committee for the DGS. The master’s paper committee will consist of at least two, but no more than three, faculty members including the chair. If the student includes a faculty member from outside the department on the committee, then s/he must include two faculty members from the sociology department. The committee will guide and give feedback on the project as it develops. In order to facilitate this, committees may establish deadlines for drafts and revisions of the paper in advance of the evaluated version’s deadline.

The master’s paper will be due to the committee for evaluation no later than June 1 following the spring semester of the student’s second year. The committee will evaluate the paper by June 15 (see Procedures below). If the paper does not receive a unanimous pass, a revision is due by June 30. A final version of the master’s paper must be completed by July 15 in order for the student to meet the filing deadline for an August conferral of the M.A. degree.

Procedures . All committee members should provide comments on earlier drafts of the paper. First exposure to the paper at the June deadline is likely not sufficient for the student to meet the requirement. The master’s paper will be read independently by the members of the student’s master’s paper committee, who will evaluate it as “pass with distinction,” “pass,” “conditional pass,” or “fail.” Students will receive explicit feedback from the examining committee on their papers. Evaluations of and comments on the student’s master’s paper will be available no later than two weeks (June 15) after it is submitted to the committee. In order to receive a unanimous “pass,” the paper must be of high quality (i.e., after revision in light of committee members’ comments, the paper could be submitted to a journal for publication). The suggested length will be 25 pages or more (i.e., typical length for submission to a journal).

Any evaluation other than unanimous “pass” or “pass with distinction” means that the student must revise the paper. The revised paper will be due on June 30. Again, evaluations of and comments on the student’s paper will be available no later than two weeks after it is submitted to the committee. If a student receives a “conditional pass” or “fail” on the revised master’s paper, s/he will be required to leave the program before the beginning of their third year.

If the paper is of such poor quality as to receive an evaluation of “fail,” the student must leave the program before the beginning of their third year. If the student misses the June 1 deadline, they will go on probation immediately, but will still be required to meet the July 15 deadline for revisions. If that deadline is missed, the student must leave the program before the beginning of their third year.

Submitting The Master’s Paper . A student who completes the master’s paper entirely in the department must submit the paper to the Graduate School for cataloging. A student whose master’s thesis from another university is accepted by the department should not submit the paper to the Graduate School, but is eligible (once s/he completes or transfers the coursework required for the master’s) for the M.A. degree in sociology from Vanderbilt.

In order to remain in FERPA compliance, please see the following guidelines for electronic approvals and the submission of the Completion of Master’s Degree form:

• Student - Complete the fillable initial information of the Completion of Master’s Degree form (Student's Name, Student's ID Number, Department/Program, and Academic/Research Adviser) and email the form to the Committee Chair.
• Committee Chair - Fill in other fillable required information and share the form with the entire committee, the DGS, and the program coordinator in .
• Committee Members - Sign for approval (electronic signature accepted).
• DGS - Sign for approval (electronic signature accepted).
• Program Coordinator - Submit the Results of Qualifying Examination form to the Graduate School.  

TRANSFER OF M.A. CREDITS OR THESIS FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Transfer Credits . Students can petition to waive up to three of the courses required for the M.A. degree. These courses can be waived if the student has taken the course or its equivalent elsewhere with a grade of B or better. The decision to waive the course requires a review of the replacement-course syllabus and, when applicable, written materials produced for the course by both the DGS and a faculty member who teaches the course being waived. Students receive course credit for each waived required course and the grade earned in the previous incarnation of the course is added to the calculation for the student’s Vanderbilt GPA.

ADVANCEMENT TO DOCTORAL STUDY

The receipt of a VU Sociology M.A. degree is required for a student to obtain a Ph.D. at Vanderbilt. All M.A. degree candidates, whether the degree is terminal (rare) or the student is receiving the M.A. degree-in-passing, must file an  Intent to Graduate Form  with the Graduate School. Students receiving the degree-in-passing are able to, but not required to, participate in Commencement. Students are expected to file this form by the Graduate School’s mid-June deadline for an August conferral of the M.A. degree. In exceptional circumstances, this form will be filed by the Graduate School’s mid-September deadline for a December conferral of the M.A. degree.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTORAL (Ph.D.) DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY

Students must satisfy all the master’s degree requirements to receive a Ph.D. Seventy-two total credit hours are required for the Ph.D., including 51 hours of formal, didactic coursework. In addition to the core coursework required of the Master’s, students must earn at least a B in the 6 credit hours of core Ph.D. coursework. Core coursework consists of a teaching workshop (7400) and a Dissertation Proposal Workshop (7500). In addition, the student must pass 33 hours of electives (up to 21 hours of which may be research, 8999 or 9999). Students must take part in a second Research Collaborative, complete a Special Area Paper, and have two Independent Research papers under review by the end of their 5 th year in the program. In addition, students must defend a dissertation proposal, complete a dissertation, and defend a dissertation to receive a Ph.D. degree. Students must meet with their FMC bi-annually, attend Professionalization Seminars, and attend the Department Colloquium Series each year.

Students may request the transfer of up to 18 credit hours (9 required and 9 elective hours) of eligible graduate coursework from another institution, subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies, the department chair, and the Graduate School.

Non-Dissertation Research Requirements for the PhD

The second Research Collaborative (RC2) starts at the beginning of the summer after the student’s second year in the program and continues through the student’s third year. The student either collaborates on research with a faculty advisor/mentor or prepares a sole-authored paper with guidance from the faculty advisor. At the end of RC2, the student must have a paper completed for which they are lead author (if the paper is written in collaboration with the faculty advisor) or sole author, that will be submitted to a peer-review academic journal for publication.

The Independent Research (IR1 and IR2) requirements entail having a) a sole-authored paper under review at a peer-review academic journal by the end of the student’s fourth year, and b) another sole-authored paper under review at a peer-review academic journal by the end of their fifth year in the program.

CORE COURSES – B OR HIGHER (6 credit hours)

SOC 9400 Dissertation Proposal Workshop (3)

SOC 7400 Teaching Workshop (3)

Elective COURSES (12 Credit hours)

Methods Focused, Theory Focused, Independent Study, or Approved Courses in other Departments.

RESEARCH (Up to 21 CREDIT HOURS)

SOC 8999 Non-candidate Research (0-12)

SOC 9999 Ph.D. Dissertation Research (0-12)

72 total credit hours required for Ph.D. (including 33 for the M.A.)

Participation in the Department Colloquium Series is required, except for students conducting field research. Consistent unexcused absences, lateness, or early departures are indicators of unsatisfactory performance and will result in an automatic instance of probation.

Ph.D. Required and Elective Courses

Teaching Workshop . The required Teaching Workshop (SOC 7400) is an introduction to all aspects of effective teaching and to the techniques of oral presentation. For those students who lack demonstrated proficiency in teaching, the Workshop is a prerequisite of teaching at Vanderbilt. This 3-credit course is taken Pass/Fail. Students with considerable experience teaching or who have taken a similar course at another institution may petition to waive this requirement. A waiver does not replace the credits; the student will have to make up the credits with another course.

Dissertation Proposal Workshop . This course (SOC 7500) guides students as they design their dissertation project and write a dissertation proposal. The course provides a space for brainstorming, receiving peer feedback, and revising under faculty supervision, a proposal for their dissertation research. Students will receive hands-on training on how to write a proposal that is animated by a clear research question, demonstrates a potential contribution to Sociological theory and empirical knowledge in specific Sociological sub-fields, and lays out the appropriate methods for conducting the research.

Special Area Paper (SAP)

To gain deep knowledge in the student’s areas of research and teaching expertise, the student is required to write a Special Area Paper (SAP). The paper enables the student to demonstrate mastery of two or more broad substantive areas. The SAP requires the student to read, organize, and critically assess key concepts, theoretical approaches, research methods, and empirical findings in the paper’s areas. The student is required to submit the SAP by August 15, prior to the beginning of their 7 th semester in the program. The SAP is designed to prepare the student not only for teaching but for their dissertation research.

With the assistance of the DGS, the student asks two faculty members in sociology to serve on their SAP committee. The student then defines the broad areas in consultation with their SAP Committee Chair. Reading lists will be developed by the student and committee members jointly.

The completed SAP is similar to an article in the Annual Review of Sociology; it should organize, summarize/synthesize, and critique the broad literatures and should suggest lines for future research. The SAP should be 35-40 double-spaced pages in length. The SAP prepares the student to teach in their substantive areas of focus and, ideally, provides the student with a first draft of the literature review for the student’s dissertation proposal.

The SAP is evaluated by the faculty members on the student’s SAP committee. Possible SAP grades are:

• pass with distinction
• conditional pass

Committee evaluations of “pass with distinction”, “pass”, or “fail” must be unanimous, or the student must rewrite the SAP. A “conditional pass” means that a student must revise the SAP; a satisfactory rewrite changes the SAP grade to a pass. For a student who receives a conditional pass, committee members will provide the student with written feedback and the committee chair should meet with the student to answer any questions. Students who rewrite their SAP must complete the rewrite within three weeks of receiving their grade and committee feedback. Students who fail the SAP will be terminated from the program. Those who pass or who pass with distinction may seek feedback or advice from the examining committee, if they wish. The SAP committee chair notifies the student and the DGS of the SAP grade no later than three weeks after the SAP is handed in to the committee

Qualifying Examination/Dissertation Proposal

After completion of the Special Area Paper, the student prepares a dissertation proposal describing his or her dissertation topic and the project’s research question(s), the extant literature further developed or challenged by the project, and the methodological approach(es) used to answer the project’s questions. The dissertation proposal must also include a timeline for completion which details a schedule of tasks including data collection, writing, and revisions.

In consultation with their dissertation advisor, the student will recruit a dissertation committee of 3 or more graduate faculty. The student must file a  Request To Appoint Ph.D. Committee   form with the  Graduate School online . The committee must include a faculty member outside of the sociology department. If this scholar is not Vanderbilt faculty, the student must provide a rationale (in third person writing style) for their inclusion and a copy of their CV to the DGS. The student then submits the copy of their CV and the justification letter together with a Request To Appoint Ph.D. Committee to the  Graduate School online .

The student should submit their full dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee no later than two weeks prior to the oral qualifying examination. The student’s dissertation advisor should receive a full dissertation proposal well prior to this (about 8 weeks) allowing time for the advisor to comment on the proposal, the student to make revisions, and the advisor to read the revised draft and give permission when the draft is ready for the student to share with the full committee. More than one revision may be needed. This committee administers the oral qualifying examination and, once the student passes it, guides the student in his or her dissertation research.

Two weeks prior to the oral proposal defense, the student must file a  Request To Schedule Qualifying Examination  with the  Graduate School online . The proposal must be defended and approved no later than the end of the student’s eighth semester (May 15).

The student is allowed one retake of the proposal defense. Passing the dissertation proposal defense constitutes admission to candidacy. Students who fail to pass the retake of the proposal defense will be terminated from the program.

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation must be completed by the end of the student’s 12 th semester in the program. The student should make themselves fully aware of all Graduate School deadlines for completing the dissertation well in advance of these deadlines. Upon petition by the student’s dissertation chair to the DGS and chair, the department may grant an extension beyond the 12 th semester to a date no more than four years after advancement to candidacy. If such a period has expired without successful completion of the dissertation, the student may be dismissed from the program.

The student must submit the completed dissertation to the dissertation committee at least one month prior to the oral dissertation defense. Well prior to this (about 8 weeks) the student’s dissertation advisor should receive a full draft of the dissertation to allow the advisor to comment on the dissertation, the student to make revisions, and the advisor to read the revised draft and give permission when the draft is ready for the student to share with the full committee. More than one revision may and likely will be needed.

Two weeks prior to the oral defense of the dissertation, the student must file a  Request To Schedule Final Defense  with the  Graduate School online . The committee reviews the dissertation and conducts the final oral dissertation defense examination. After successfully defending their dissertations, students obtain signatures and approvals on dissertation title pages and abstracts and then sends to the DGS for signature and submission to the Graduate School.

Teaching Workshop:  The required Teaching Workshop (S7400) is an introduction to all aspects of effective teaching and to the techniques of oral presentation. For those students who lack demonstrated proficiency in teaching, the Workshop is a prerequisite of teaching at Vanderbilt. This 3-credit course is taken pass/fail and is offered every other year. Students with considerable experience teaching or who have taken a similar course at another institution may petition to waive this requirement. A waiver does not replace the credits; the student will have to make up the credits with another course.

Elective Course Work:  Students must take 15 hours of elective credit beyond the M.A. requirements. These credits may be drawn from any combination of the following options (see descriptions above): Special Methods Workshops, Survey Seminars, Special Topic Seminars, Directed Study courses, graduate courses in other departments, or courses accepted for transfer credit from previous institutions. A maximum of 9 credits can be earned for courses not taught by Vanderbilt sociology graduate faculty. This limitation does not preclude taking more courses outside of the department (e.g., for a certificate), but extra credits will not count towards the Ph.D. requirements. The 15 credits must be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester in the program. Students can take more than 15 elective course credits to reach the 72 credits required for the Ph.D. degree.

Pre-Dissertation and Dissertation Research:  Students must register for Pre-Dissertation Research (SOC 8999) after passing the two Special Area Examinations (normally during the fourth year) and Dissertation Research (S9999) after successfully defending the dissertation proposal (normally during and after the fifth year). Students must take no more than 18 credits of Pre-Dissertation Research (S8999) or Dissertation Research (S9999) in order to reach the 72 credits required for the Ph.D. degree. Once they have met the credit requirement, students should register for zero credits of research in order to maintain their full-time student status.

Special Area Examinations (SAE)

Purpose . The Special Area Exams enable the student to demonstrate the mastery of two broad and different substantive areas. Each Special Area Exam requires a student to read, organize, and critically assess key ideas and findings in a broad area. Reading and preparation for the exams should lay solid foundations for future research and teaching in these fields. Students are strongly urged to take relevant survey seminars or special topic seminars in their special area fields prior to meeting the exam requirements. Ideally, both areas of specialization should be tied to his/her dissertation interests, but this is not a requirement.

Timing . Students are required to take both Special Area Exams prior to the beginning of their seventh semester in the program. Exams will only be offered on one of three dates each year. While specific dates will be announced annually at the beginning of each academic year, these dates will always be scheduled for the middle of each semester. Third-year students must take their first SAE on either the fall (normally in November) or spring semester date (normally in March). Their second SAE must be taken on either the spring or summer date (normally in July).

Format . One exam will be a take-home, 72-hour exam, restricted to a total of 3 to 4 questions to be answered, with a page limit of 10-12 double-spaced pages per question. The second exam may be the same format, or, if the student chooses, may be a special area paper instead. A special area paper is similar to an article in the Annual Review of Sociology; it should organize, summarize/synthesize, and critique a broad literature.

Procedures . The exams will be based on no less than 2,500 pages and no more than 3,500 pages of reading per area. With the assistance of the DGS, the student will ask two faculty members in sociology to serve on his/her exam committee (not all members of the committee need to be specialists in the topic area). One faculty member will serve as chair. With the agreement of all concerned, and after the reading list has been approved in the department, an additional (third) committee member may be drawn from faculty outside the department. The student will likely select a partially or wholly different set of committee members and chair for his/her second exam.

The student defines each broad area in consultation with his/her Special Area Exam Committee Chair. Reading lists will be developed by the student and exam committee members jointly. Copies of earlier Special Area reading lists are kept online in Vanderbilt Box (the SOC. GRAD STUDENTS folder), to assist subsequent students in developing their own lists.

The student must include with the Special Area Exam reading list a brief (no more than one page) description of the substantive focus (or foci) of the readings, and an identification of the student’s specific interests within the broader area of the exam. This statement should be written early in the process of developing the reading list and provided (both with draft and final readings lists) to faculty on the committee and to the DGS.

The student will have a meeting with his/her committee to finalize the reading list for the exam; this meeting should occur no later than three months prior to the exam date, and preferably by the beginning of the semester in which the exam will be taken. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with committee members to discuss questions, insights, and progress as they read materials on the reading list. Two weeks before the exam, students are encouraged to construct their own exam questions and discuss them with their committee members. These questions (or revised versions of them) may be used as exam questions at the discretion of the examining committee.

The examining committee chair will email the student and the DGS the exam. The examination consists of 3 or 4 essay questions to be answered within a 72-hour period. Students will be given some choice in the questions to be answered; typically, they will be asked to choose 3 or 4 of six or eight possibilities. With the aid of the DGS, students will secure appropriate space and computers (if they choose) for the exam. The student will email the examination to the examining committee and the DGS at the end of the 72-hour period. Those who write their exams on computers may turn in storage media (e.g., CD or flash drive) containing their exam answers or submit them electronically to the examining committee and the DGS at the end of the 72-hour period.

Students may bring any notes, books, or other printed matter that they may wish to consult during the period. The Honor Code is in effect and the student taking the exam may not ask for or receive any assistance in answering the exam questions. Any person helping a student during the exam period is as guilty of an Honor-Code violation as is the person asking for assistance.

The Special Area Exam will be graded by the faculty members on the student’s exam committee. Possible grades on the exam are: pass with distinction, pass, conditional pass, or fail. Committee evaluations of “pass” must be unanimous, or the student must rewrite part or all of the exam. A “conditional pass” means that a student must rewrite one of the exam questions; a satisfactory rewrite will change the exam grade to a pass. Students who conditionally pass or who fail the exam will receive explicit feedback and advice from the examining committee. (Those who pass or who pass with distinction may seek feedback or advice from the examining committee, if they wish.) The examining committee chair will notify the student and the DGS the grades on the exam no later than three weeks after it is taken.

Students who fail the first Special Area Exam must retake and pass it by the end of the seventh semester in order to remain in the program; those who fail the second Exam must retake and pass it by the end of the eighth semester. Students who rewrite a question must complete that rewrite within two weeks of receiving their exam grade and committee feedback; the student will have a 24-hour period in which to rewrite the question. Students who fail a Special Area Exam or a question on the Special Area Exam twice will be terminated from the program.

After completion of the second Special Area Examination, the student prepares a dissertation proposal describing his or her dissertation topic and the project’s research question(s), the extant literature further developed or challenged by the project, and the methodological approach(es) used to answer the project’s questions. The dissertation proposal must also include a timeline for completion which details a schedule of tasks including data collection, writing, and revisions.

In consultation with their dissertation advisor, the student will recruit a dissertation committee of 3 or more graduate faculty. The student must file a Request To Appoint Ph.D. Committee  form with the Graduate School online . The committee must include a faculty member outside of the sociology department. If this scholar is not Vanderbilt faculty, the student must provide a rationale (in third person writing style) for their inclusion and a copy of their CV to the DGS. The DGS writes a short letter of justification. The student then submits the copy of their CV and the DGS justification letter together with a Request To Appoint Ph.D. Committee to the Graduate School online .

The student should submit their full dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee no later than two weeks prior to the oral qualifying examination. The student’s dissertation advisor should receive a full dissertation proposal well prior to this allowing time for the advisor to comment on the proposal and the student to make revisions. This committee administers the oral qualifying examination and, once the student passes it, guides the student in his or her dissertation research.

Two weeks prior to the oral proposal defense, the student must file a Request To Schedule Qualifying Examination  with the Graduate School online . The proposal must be defended and approved no later than the end of the student’s eighth semester (May 15). The student is allowed one retake of the proposal defense. Passing the dissertation proposal defense constitutes admission to candidacy. Students who fail to pass the retake of the proposal defense will be terminated from the program.

In order to remain in FERPA compliance, qualifying exam results and approvals may not be emailed. Please see the following guidelines for electronic approvals and submissions:

• Student – Complete the fillable initial information of the Results of Qualifying Examination form (except for the signature in the grade, Passed or Failed) and email it to the Committee Chair.
• Committee Chair – Fill in the grade, passed or failed, and share the form with the entire committee, the DGS, and the program coordinator in Vanderbilt BOX.
• Committee Members – Sign for approval (electronic signature accepted).
• DGS – Sign for approval (electronic signature accepted)
• Program Coordinator – Submit the Results of Qualifying Examination form to the Graduate School online .

The dissertation must be completed within four years after a student has been admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Upon petition to the Graduate School, a one-year extension of candidacy may be granted. If such a period has expired without successful completion of the dissertation, the student may be dismissed from the Graduate School. Readmission to the Graduate School, and to candidacy, requires application to the Graduate School, with approval of the faculty in the sociology department. In such cases the student may be required, by the Graduate School or by the Ph.D. committee, to demonstrate competence for readmission by taking a qualifying examination or additional course work.

The student must submit the completed dissertation to the dissertation committee at least one month prior to the oral dissertation defense. Well prior to this the student’s dissertation advisor should receive drafts of the dissertation to allow the advisor to comment on the dissertation and the student to make revisions.

Two weeks prior to the oral defense of the dissertation, the student must file a Request To Schedule Final Defense  with the Graduate School online . The committee reviews the dissertation and conducts the final oral dissertation defense examination. After successfully defending their dissertations, students obtain signatures and approvals on dissertation title pages and abstracts via email:

• Students – Email the title page and abstract to the entire committee for approval and copy [email protected] .
• Committee Members – REPLY ALL with the approval or disapproval.
• Students – Combine the title page, abstract, and all email responses into one PDF and upload to their VIREO submission as an Administrative file.

In order to remain in FERPA compliance, dissertation defense results and approvals may not be emailed. Please see the following guidelines for electronic approvals and submission:

• Student – Complete the fillable initial information of the Results of Dissertation Defense form (except for the signatures and the grade, passed or failed) and email it to the Committee Chair.
• Committee Members – Sign for approval (electronic signature accepted)
• Program Coordinator – Submit the Results of Dissertation Defense form to the Graduate School online .

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

Residency . Full-time students are expected to enroll in the Graduate School during each fall and spring semester. After completion of the required 72 hours for the Ph.D. degree, full-time students register for 0 hours of dissertation research at the minimum tuition rate of $200 each semester. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree who are away from the university must continue to register for 0 hours of dissertation research to remain in good standing.

Grade Point Averages . In order to make satisfactory progress in the program, students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) and departmental grade point average (DGA) of 3.00 by the end of each semester. The GPA does not include research courses (e.g., S8999) or transfer credits (unless the course substitutes for an MA requirement). The DGA does not include directed studies courses (S9888- S9889) or undergraduate courses approved for graduate credit.

Teaching and Research Assistantships . Teaching (TA) and research (RA) assistantships are awarded for students to obtain academic and/or research experience beyond their coursework. Teaching assistants assist faculty with teaching a course. Research assistants assist or collaborate with faculty in research. These are professional roles and will be evaluated as such at the end of each semester. Consistent evidence of incompetence, neglect of duty, inefficiency, or other deficiencies are indicators of unsatisfactory performance of the student’s assigned duties and responsibilities. Assistantships are renewable, not guaranteed, and are subject to termination by the Department Chair and the DGS if the student’s performance is deemed substandard. Students work for 20 hours per week in each semester as teaching or research assistants.

RESEARCH EXPECTATIONS

A main driver of tenure-track employment for new PhDs in sociology is publication during graduate school of high-quality research in peer-review journals. To that end, the PhD program has the following research requirements:

Students must take part in two Research Collaboratives and have two Independent Research papers under review by the end of their 5 th year in the program.

Research Collaboratives (RC1 and RC2) are official collaborations between the graduate student and a faculty member that take place in the student’s second and third years in the program.

RC1 starts at the beginning of the summer after the student’s first year and continues through the student’s second year in the program. The student collaborates on research with a faculty advisor/mentor. At the end of RC1, the student in collaboration with the faculty advisor must have a paper completed that will be submitted to a peer-review academic journal. This paper is a requirement for the master’s degree.

RC2 starts at the beginning of the summer after the student’s second year in the program and continues through the student’s third year. The student either collaborates on research with a faculty advisor/mentor or prepares a sole-authored paper with guidance from the faculty advisor. At the end of RC2, the student must have a paper completed for which they are lead author (if the paper is written in collaboration with the faculty advisor) or sole author, that will be submitted to a peer-review academic journal for publication.

In some instances, deviations from these RC1 and RC2 requirements better provide for the student’s research training. Faculty mentors should discuss such possible deviations with the director of graduate studies.

The Independent Research (IR1 and IR2) requirements entail having a) a sole-authored paper under review at a peer-review academic journal by the end of the student’s fourth year, and b) another sole-authored paper under review at a peer-review academic journal by the end of their fifth year in the program. For each IR, the student will also form a 2-person committee made up of sociology faculty. This committee will review the IR papers to confirm that they are A) ready to submit to a journal, B) at a later date, under review at a peer reviewed academic journal, and C) of acceptable quality to count for the IR requirement.

In some instances, deviations from these IR1 and IR2 requirements better provide for the student’s research training. Faculty mentors should discuss such possible deviations with the director of graduate studies.

The ability to obtain external funding is another key ingredient to a successful academic career in Sociology. To that end, the program has the following external funding requirement:

Students must apply for one external grant or fellowship before the end of their 10 th semester in the program.

TRAINING FOR THE PROFESSION

Integral to success as a scholar on the tenure track at research-intensive universities is deep expertise in at least two sub-fields within the Sociology discipline, along with an ability to share that knowledge through presentation (primarily in the classroom setting). To help train students to have deep knowledge and an ability to present on and teach that knowledge, the program has the following requirements:

Teaching Expectations

Students will typically serve as teaching assistants through their graduate assistantships for four (and no more than six) semesters. These teaching assistantships will typically take place in their first, fifth, and sixth years in the program.

Students will take a required 3-credit Teaching Workshop. The required Teaching Workshop (SOC 7400) introduces students to all aspects of effective teaching and the techniques of oral presentation. For those students who lack demonstrated proficiency in teaching, the Workshop is a prerequisite of teaching at Vanderbilt.

Other Training Expectations

Professionalization Seminar:

Each semester, the DGS, Graduate Program Committee members, and other faculty will hold a number of one-hour seminars, in the format of panel discussions, on matters of professionalization (examples of topics include how to plan your career, where do research ideas come from, how to apply for external funding, how to submit papers to peer-review journals, how to work on work/life balance, etc.). All students must attend the seminars. For students in their second year and beyond, many seminar topics will be repeats, but different faculty may present the topics and different aspects of the topic become important in different ways as one goes through their graduate career.

Department Colloquia:

Observing and engaging with visiting speakers is an excellent way to learn how to give polished presentations and to develop a professional network. To that end, all students must attend the Department Colloquium series (this includes any department event that has an academic speaker and is open to the entire department).

Back to Top

STANDING IN THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

It is each student’s responsibility to learn and comply with department degree requirements, to be familiar with rules for determining standing in the program, and to understand the consequences of not meeting these standards.

At the end of each semester, a student may be either “in good standing” or “on probation” in the graduate sociology program. Academic standing is determined by:

• a) timeliness in completing the minimum required number of semester credit hours; b) timeliness in completing coursework and other requirements; and c) the quality of performance in coursework and in other requirements.

If a student is on probation at the end of two consecutive semesters, the student will be reviewed by the DGS, Chair, and an ad-hoc faculty committee for potential termination from the program. This review will also take place if the student is on probation three times, regardless of the sequencing of the incidents. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into account.

After the end of each spring semester, each student in the program receives an end of the year letter of standing (LOS) from the DGS telling the student whether or not the student is in good standing and reminding the student of upcoming deadlines.

TIMELINE OF REQUIREMENTS

Failure to meet any of the following deadlines will result in an automatic instance of probation.

OTHER MATTERS

Directed Study Courses. Directed Study courses (also called Independent Study courses) offer graduate students the opportunity to tailor a course to their specific research needs, focusing on areas not covered by regular coursework. To create a directed study course, approach a faculty member whose expertise aligns with your intended study. Present your idea for the course of study and explain how it will contribute to your research project. While faculty are generally open to leading independent studies, they are extra work on top of their normal class load and faculty may need to decline if their schedule does not permit.

To make directed studies more efficient, consider collaborating with other students to create a class together that the professor will lead. However, it is encouraged to prioritize taking regular sociology graduate classes whenever possible. These classes provide opportunities to meet faculty, engage with fellow graduate students, and build professional bonds, which are crucial for graduate success. This is particularly important in the first year of the program. Directed studies are not typically allowed during a student’s first year in the program.

As you progress through the program and have completed many of the available classes, directed studies can be a valuable tool to fill your schedule with tailored coursework. Use them strategically to enhance your learning experience and advance your research goals.

Graduate Student Professional Activities Fund. The Department has an annual fund dedicated to helping to pay the costs of activities that enhance the professional training and goals of our graduate students. To apply for funds, Graduate students should send a formal request to the DGS, which includes how much money is being requested, what the money will be used for, and how the use will serve the professional training and development of the student. The DGS will approve based on the following criteria: 1) there is enough money left in the fund. It is first come, first serve; 2) that the planned use of funds is related to professional activities and enhances the training of the student; 3) the planned use of the fund is allowable per university rules. The annual limit per student is $600, although the DGS may remove this cap in late Spring if there is enough money left in the fund to support this.

Bi-Annual Mentoring Committee Meetings. Each academic year, the student and their Faculty Mentoring Committee (FMC) will meet at least twice. The academic year begins with a mentoring committee meeting between the student and their FMC (i.e., two to three sociology faculty members, typically including during the second and third years, the RC advisor; in later years, SAP and dissertation committee members). The first meeting takes place at the beginning of the fall semester (no later than the end of September). Graduate students should share with committee members in advance of the meeting a document outlining their expectations and plans for the coming academic year. In this meeting, the student and mentors set expectations and define a plan for the coming academic year and for later phases of the graduate career. The second meeting takes place at the end of the spring semester (no later than the end of May) to evaluate progress and give advice for use of summertime and later phases of the program. Again, the graduate student should share with committee members in advance of the meeting a document outlining their expectations and plans for use of summertime and later phases of the program. In a student’s first year, as mentioned, mentoring meetings will take place as part of the FYMC. The chair of the student’s FMC will send a letter summarizing the meeting to the DGS.

Leaves of Absence . After commencing graduate studies at Vanderbilt, a student may be granted a leave of absence by the Graduate School for a maximum of one year. This is granted upon the recommendation of the department and must be agreed to by both the DGS and the Department Chair. The student must provide the DGS a formal leave of absence request and describe the reason for the request and the beginning and end of the requested leave. After the Graduate School approves a leave of absence, the DGS contacts the College of Arts and Science for the approval of deferred funding for the student.

Incompletes . An incomplete must be completed and a grade officially recorded no later than eight weeks from the first day of classes in the semester following the one in which a student received an incomplete. A student who receives an incomplete at the end of the semester must complete the required work and deliver it to the supervising faculty member in time for the faculty member to read and evaluate the work, and file the final grade, by the eighth-week deadline. Any incomplete course not finished within this time frame will result in an F for the course. It will be the responsibility of students to ensure that they deliver work in time for the supervising faculty member to submit a grade by the deadline, and the responsibility of faculty to notify the DGS (not just the Graduate School) of the grade. At the beginning of each semester, the DGS will remind students and faculty of the deadline for completing and grading incompletes. Students may appeal, in writing, to the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) for more than eight weeks in which to finish incompletes (and have them graded). Appeals should be delivered to the GPC no later than October 1 (for incompletes due to expire in a fall semester) and February 15 (for those expiring in the spring).

Remote Assistantships . Vanderbilt University Graduate School Policy requires funded students, who are not on a Leave of Absence, to be in residence. The only exception to this is if field work requires the student to work remotely. Under these exceptional circumstances, students may petition the DGS and the Department Chair to meet the work requirements of their graduate assistantship or research assistantship remotely. The student must provide the DGS a formal petition letter. This petition must be accompanied by a faculty sponsor’s signed agreement letter to accept the student as their GA/RA for the duration of the student’s time away from campus. If approved by the DGS and Chair, the DGS will then petition the Graduate School for approval.

Terminal Master’s Degrees . Occasionally, early-career students make the determination that they should not advance further in the Ph.D. program. Students should consult with the DGS to determine if the receipt of a terminal M.A. degree is necessary and possible as soon as s/he is convinced that this may be the best course of action. This is especially important because—as explained above—all of the requirements for the M.A. (terminal or not) must be completed by July 15 following the second year.

Concerns and Issues . Students are welcome to discuss concerns and issues (in confidence) with the faculty adviser(s), the DGS, or the Department Chair. If the student’s concerns and issues cannot be resolved at the departmental level, as stated on page 5 in the  Graduate School Resource Guide :

“The student may schedule a meeting with the Graduate Life Coach, Graduate School Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, or the Dean of the Graduate School to discuss further steps. Situations may arise in which students believe that they have not received fair treatment by a representative of the University, or they may have a complaint about the performance, action, or inaction of a member of the staff or faculty that has affected them. Students who wish to have a complaint addressed by the University should first use the Complaint Procedure. If the Complaint Procedure proves unsatisfactory, then students may use the Grievance Procedure.”

Relevant information is also available in the Graduate School Catalog and the Student Handbook .

Get the Reddit app

This subreddit is for discussing academic life, and for asking questions directed towards people involved in academia, (both science and humanities).

People of social sciences, how long did it take you to complete your PhD?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• Utility Menu

Department of Sociology

• Graduate Study Admissions FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Applying to the Harvard Sociology Doctoral Program

Harvard Griffin GSAS does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.

Please be advised: In the interest of treating all applicants equally, the Sociology Department at Harvard University has a policy of not scheduling meetings between faculty and prospective doctoral students until admissions decisions have been made.

Am I eligible to apply for the Ph.D. program in Sociology?

You are eligible for admission to graduate programs at Harvard if you have either 1) completed a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or 2) completed an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing. Students who are unsure of the U.S. equivalency of their degree(s) should consult a reputable credential evaluation service.

How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in Sociology at Harvard?

It is possible to complete all of the degree requirements within five years, however, some students take longer to conduct research and/or write-up their dissertation. Review our sample timeline .

How can I find faculty with research interests in my topic/area of interest?

Sociology faculty members have individual profile pages that highlight their research interests and selected publications.

What are the teaching requirements for the program?

The department requires a minimum of one semester of Teaching Fellowship for the degree. The majority of students serve as Teaching Fellows for 4 to 6 semesters. SOC 3305 (Teaching Practicum) is a required course that prepares graduate students for classroom instruction.

Can I transfer graduate work that I’ve already completed?

Ordinarily the Department of Sociology does not grant credit for work done elsewhere.

Is there an MA degree program in the Department of Sociology?

No, there is not a terminal MA program in Sociology at Harvard. Enrolled doctoral students may be eligible for the Sociology AM after completing eight graduate courses and an approved Master’s thesis.

Do I have to have an M.A. before I apply to the Ph.D. program?

No. Applicants to the Ph.D. program are not required to have an M.A. before applying to the Ph.D. program.

My current degree is not in Sociology. Will this adversely affect my graduate application?

No. Applicants are not required to have a Sociology degree, although a background in the social sciences and statistics can be extremely helpful. It is important, however, that applicants who come from another academic background understand the field of sociology and how it applies to their areas of interest. The Department of Sociology does not have specific course requirements for admission to its doctoral program.

How can I get more information from the Department regarding my interest in graduate studies in Sociology?

Please refer to the other pages on our website and the Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions website for more information. If you are unable to locate the information you are looking for, contact the Sociology Graduate Program Coordinator .

Do I need to take the GRE?

Yes. The GRE is required of all applicants to the graduate program in Sociology. Per University policy, GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date of the test.

When do I need to take the GRE?

It is highly recommended that applicants to the PhD program take the GRE no later than mid-November in the year of application. This ensures that your scores will be reported to Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions and the Sociology Department by the application deadline. We will not accept GRE scores for tests taken after the application deadline.

How do I send my test scores (TOEFL, GRE) to the department?

Applicants need to make arrangements with ETS to send their scores to Harvard University using the University code 3451. Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions downloads the scores on a weekly basis. Departments and Programs access the scores electronically for the applicant file. No Department code is necessary, as the scores are sent directly to Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions, not the department.

Please note that Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept scores from the TOEFL ITP Plus examination. This is because the TOEFL ITP Plus does not provide a robust assessment of the candidate’s proficiency in spoken English, which is one of the most critical components of our English proficiency requirement. Applicants unable to take the TOEFL IBT, IELTS or IELTS indicator exams may apply without these scores, and if programs recommend these applicants for admission, their admission will be provisional until they provide scores from one of the accepted tests that demonstrate the required level of English proficiency.

Do I need to take a GRE subject test?

No. Applicants are required to take the GRE General Exam.

What kind of GRE scores do I need to be competitive?

There is not a minimum score required for evaluation of your application by the admissions committee. Scores are reviewed in the context of the applicant’s entire file. Applications and test scores are reviewed and ranked by the Sociology Department’s Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis.

I am an International applicant who speaks and reads English. Do I need to take the TOEFL?

If you have a four-year degree from an English-speaking institution, you may not have to take the TOEFL. Harvard Griffin GSAS requires that incoming PhD students who are non-native English speakers and who received their undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking institution meet a minimum level of oral English language proficiency . For a ll queries regarding the TOEFL requirement, contact Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions at  [email protected] .

What kind of Writing Sample should I submit with my application?

The writing sample (preferably a social sciences paper written for a class or for publication) is an important component of your application. Samples should be no longer than 20 pages.

My recommender cannot use the electronic option for submission of the letter of recommendation. What can I tell the recommender?

All letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically.  Your recommenders must submit their letters through the recommender portal: Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept letters submitted via email, mail, or a dossier service.

I am an International student. Where can I find more information on my eligibility, visas, and re-locating to the U.S.?

Please visit the Harvard International Office website.

How are applications reviewed?

Transcripts are evaluated considering the institution, courses taken and at what level, and Grade Point Average. Graduate Record Exam scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical), letters of recommendation, personal statement, and statement of purpose are all considered. Harvard faculty place considerable emphasis on research training. Students who are admitted have often been involved in independent research, either academically or professionally.

Should I visit the Sociology Department before I apply?

In the interest of treating all applicants equally, the Sociology Department at Harvard University has a policy of not scheduling meetings between faculty and prospective doctoral students until admissions decisions have been made. Applicants who wish to tour the campus to learn more about the University should contact the Information Center .

• Undergraduate
• Joint Doctoral Programs
• Graduate Degrees Awarded
• Program Requirements
• Ph.D.s on the Job Market
• Graduate Student Organization (GSO)
• Information for Teaching Fellows
• Graduate Student News
• Fellowships and Research Grants Awarded to Graduate Students
• Graduate Resources
• Sociology Courses

Recent FAQs

• SOC 3327 Contemporary Ethnography and Inequality Workshop
• SOC 3321 Contemporary Studies of Race & Ethnicity
• SOC 3316 Politics and Social Change
• SOC 3313 Urban Theory and Data Lab
• SOC 3323 Social Demography
• SOC 3326 / HBSDOC 4911 Work, Organizations, and Markets Seminar

Graduate Office

660 William James Hall

Office Hours (Fall 2023) Monday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote)

Email [email protected]

Phone 617.495.3813

Director  David Pedulla

Program Coordinator Jessica Matteson

• Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
• What is Sociology
• Statement by a Group of Sociology Department Faculty on the Encampment Arrests
• Statement of Solidarity for Black Lives
• Statement of Support for Asian Communities
• Chair's Message
• Department History
• Publications
• Graduate Students
• In Memoriam
• Advising Support & Updates during COVID-19
• Program Information
• Transfer Information
• Courses & Scheduling
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Office Hours
• Special Academic Programs
• Summer Session
• OSD Accommodations
• Opportunities & Involvement
• Careers with Sociology
• Forms & Resources
• Announcements
• PhD Requirements
• Science Studies Program
• Graduate Student Research
• Research Apprenticeship
• Affiliated Centers
• Human Resources
• Academic Personnel
• Financial Information
• Instructional Services
• Visiting Scholars

Graduate Program

Prospective students.

Thank you for your interest in the graduate program in Sociology at UC San Diego! We are a full-time PhD program. We only accept students during the fall of each academic year. We do not admit "Masters-only" students or offer a terminal MA degree.  Admission to the graduate program in sociology is open to students with excellent undergraduate records in any field. Some previous work in sociology or the social and behavioral sciences is advisable but not required. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for admission to the graduate program.

For any additional questions you may have about the program, please refer to the information below and in the "Admissions Process" section. Should you have additional questions, please e-mail your specific inquiries to the Graduate Program Coordinator at  [email protected] . 

**The  GRE  will not be required for the Fall 2024 Admissions cycle.**  

PhD in Sociology Program Overview

Course Requirements

• Sixteen (16) courses and two (2) proseminars
• Total 66 units

Field Exam Requirement

• Two (2) Field Exams

Dissertation Prospectus and Hearing

Dissertation

PhD Time Limits

• Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of four (4) years.
• Normative time is six (6) years.
• Total university financial support cannot exceed seven (7) years.
• Total registered time at UC San Diego cannot exceed eight (8) years.

Admissions Process

About the Admissions Process

The admissions committee reviews the applications and makes recommendations for either admission or denial to the graduate dean. Admission decisions are based on the quality of the applicant's academic degrees and record, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant's academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests as appropriate, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, the fit between the applicant's goals and the program, and the fit between the applicant's research interests and those of the program's faculty.

Academic Requirements

US Applicants.  Applicants for graduate admission must present official evidence of receipt of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education or the equivalent, with training comparable in standard and content to that provided by the University of California. This must be provided by the beginning of the first academic year of study at UC San Diego. A minimum scholastic average of B (or its equivalent, if the letter grade system is not used) is required for coursework completed in the final two years of undergraduate study and any post-baccalaureate study.

International Applicants.  An international student whose postsecondary education is completed outside the United States must hold the equivalent to a US baccalaureate degree, with above average scholarship, granted by a non-US university or university-level institution.

Required Application Materials

The online application system will begin accepting applications September 6, 2023.

• Official UC San Diego Graduate Application for Admission ; you will need a permanent email address to create an account for your application.
• Examination Requirements
• Scores are generally submitted 4-6 weeks after the test is administered, so please be mindful of the deadline. Examinations and information regarding this exam can be found at  Educational Testing Service , or at the  GRE website . Applicants should request that official scores be sent directly to the department of sociology at the above university address, or institution code  4836 , department code  2102 .
• Three letters of recommendation .
• Transcripts from all college/university work. Scanned copies of academic transcripts for each postsecondary institution attended, including certification of degrees, submitted electronically in pdf format. Certified hard-copy original transcripts will be requested/required upon acceptance of graduate admission.
• Your sample should be academic or scholarly in nature, such as a course term paper, published research, journal article submission, thesis chapter, presented paper, or report. It should be no more than 30 pages in length and uploaded in pdf format.
• Be certain to address your interest in the field, future goals, research interests, etc. in this statement.
• US Citizens and Permanent Resident Applicants: $135.00
• International Applicants: $155.00
• An  Application Fee Waiver  is available for applicants that meet certain eligibility guidelines.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction  and  in a country in which English is a dominant language.  Official written verification of test scores is required.
• The following test(s) are accepted: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), PTE (Pearson Test of English)

It is important that all application documents are received by the application deadline. Please schedule your GRE exam early so that scores may be received by the deadline. We recommend at least 5-6 weeks in advance of the deadline. Additionally, requests for transcripts and letters of recommendation should be made in a timely manner to ensure arrival to the Sociology Department prior to the deadline for admissions consideration.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by January 3, 2024.

Materials or documents that cannot be submitted online should be mailed to:

Incomplete files will not be considered. Applicants are responsible for overseeing that all materials (application, GRE scores, TOEFL scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and writing sample) are received by the deadline.

For questions about this program or admissions requirements, contact [email protected] , please allow one to three business days for a response.

Due to the winter holiday closure of the office (December 23 to January 1), we will not be able to respond to inquiries regarding the arrival of supporting documents until we reopen on January 2.

Funding for Graduate Students

We do our best to offer competitive funding or support to students we admit, with the most competitive funding -- in the form of fellowships, awards, or employment -- going to applicants who are best matched to our program. Unfortunately, we are unable to match a support package to every single admission offered. We strongly encourage applicants to consider additional resources and supplemental forms of financial aid.

Typically our funding packages include at least 1-year of fellowship and from 2-4 years of guaranteed academic student employment (ASE) in the form of graduate student researchers (GSRs), teaching assistants (TAs) or readers for a course. Each of these types of employment covers tuition and fees plus has a monthly salary. UC San Diego's  Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) offers the most current salary rates for all ASE appointments. Please note: salary rates listed here are at 100%; g raduate student appointments may be for a maximum of 50% time (20 hours per week) during the academic year.  

The Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) remission is guaranteed for the first academic year for domestic students and for the first three (3) academic years for international students. Domestic students are expected to establish residency after their first year in the program. International students may be eligible to be exempt from non-resident tuition if you have advanced to candidacy by the end of your third year in the program. For more information, please click here .  

For students who do not receive funding packages or who are no longer guaranteed employment, there are certainly still bountiful employment opportunities.  GSR, TA and readerships are available in our department as well as other academic departments and are advertised to all students via email. Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA)  also posts job openings for graduate students.

Additionally, there are also spaces like the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies (CCIS), the Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment and Teaching Excellence (CREATE), and each of UC-San Diego's seven college writing programs that employ our doctoral students.  Finally, a few of our advanced doctoral candidates have what is called Associate-In  teaching positions. This is when the student is the primary instructor for a course.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to gain work experience while funding your education at UC-San Diego.  Our students are also encouraged to seek and apply for competitive grants and fellowships. These funds are often how our students afford research related costs such as travel, transcription fees, conference presentation materials, and field research.  

To encourage everyone to be involved in developments related to the discipline, the Department of Sociology pays the fee for all entering students to become new members of the American Sociological Association (ASA). Furthermore, Sociology and the Dean of Social Sciences make available special travel funds to support regular participation in national meetings. Current doctoral students also receive a personal research allowance of $2000 to be used towards research or conference travel. The first $1000 will be made available upon successful completion of first year of studies, with the second $1000 available upon advancing to candidacy.

English Proficiency Exams (International Applicants Only)

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) IELTS (International English Language Testing System) PTE (Pearson Test of English)

English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Teaching Assistants (TA):

International students whose native language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency before they may serve as teaching assistants. International graduate students who are nonnative speakers of English must be certified as having requisite language skills before they can serve as teaching assistants (TAs; UC San Diego Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) policy in compliance with Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 41). Evidence of English Language Proficiency: Certification as Teaching Assistant Recommended Scores Students may be certified either on the basis of their score on one of the following:

• have a TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 28-30
• have an IELTS Speaking subscore of 8.5
• have a PTE Speaking sub-score of 83,
• be an international graduate student who serves as a language assistant in courses conducted in their native language.

Those students with TOEFL speaking scores of 23 – 27, IELTS speaking scores of 7-8, or PTE speaking scores of 65-82 are required to take the English Language Certification Exam. Students who do not pass the English Language Certification Exam are given the opportunity to improve their language skills.

For more information, please click here .

Admissions FAQs

Where can I get information about the graduate program in sociology? The most current information about our doctoral program is located online in the Admissions Process section of the website. For information about University of California-San Diego graduate policies, pelase see the  Grad Program Handbook (Course Catalog) . For all other questions about this program or admissions requirements, contact   [email protected]

Where can I get an application? The Grad Admissions Application is available online at https://connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply/ . The application for Fall 2024 admissions consideration will be available early September 2023. 

Is there a minimum GRE score? The  GRE  will not be required for the Fall 2024 Admissions cycle.

Is there a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score? 

The university accepts TOEFL score of 80 for the internet based test and 550 for the paper-based test as the minimum scores required for admissions consideration. The minimum IELTS required score for admission consideration is a 7.0. 

How many students typically apply to the program?  Last year we had approximately 150 applicants to our program; historically our pool of applicants is very strong. 

What makes an applicant competitive?  In general the strongest applicants can point to a history of academic achievement, relevant experience in the field, well-articulated intellectual interests and an agenda for future research, positive and detailed letters of recommendation, and competitive standardized test scores. An appropriate match between the applicant and the strengths of our department is also an important factor in our selection.

How many students are typically admitted to the program?  Our cohort size typically is 9-12 students.

What is the average number of international students your department admits each year? There is no predetermined average or number of international students that are accepted. From year to year, we may admit and make offers to the most competitive domestic and international students whose research interests fit the program and the department. Some years we make multiple offers; other years we do not make any offers. 

What is the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST)? If admitted, the Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) remission is guaranteed for the first academic year for domestic students and for the first three (3) academic years for international students. Domestic students are expected to establish residency after their first year in the program. International students may be eligible to be exempt from non-resident tuition if you have advanced to candidacy by the end of your third year in the program. For more information, please click here .  

Is it possible to be enrolled in the program part-time? Part-time status is not an option. This program is not a part-time program, but after advancing to candidacy (usually by end of 4th year) students are enrolled and are working independently on research. 

Are students allow to take leaves of absences?  Students may take up to 3 quarters of leave over the length of earning their degree. There are exceptions to the three quarters limit for maternity/parenting leave.

How long does it typically take to graduate with a PhD in Sociology? The normative time of completion for Sociology graduates is 6 years. The university sets a time limit of 7 years for graduate funding support and 8 years of registration eligibility. 

If I already earned an MA in Sociology, would it be possible to transfer my previous graduate coursework to UCSD, or would I need to start from the beginning? Graduate students who have received either a master's degree or its equivalent from other universities are not eligible to receive a second master's degree from UC-San Diego. They may petition to waive courses that appear to repeat work they have already successfully completed. Petitions requesting course exemption are to be submitted after the student has begun the program. Additional seminars will be required in place of a course being granted exemption.

With an MA you may petition for exceptions and waive out of taking certain courses and requirements if it appears there is duplication, but you will still be required to complete the same number of total courses (units) required in the program. Therefore, having an MA does not necessarily shorten the program. We suggest that you meet with the graduate adviser early on to assist in charting your course schedule.

Is it more difficult to enter the program being a previous student of the university? Would you highly discourage this course of action? Previous affiliation with the university is benign; if you are a competitive candidate for admission, your chances are the same as anyone else who is competitive.

What would you say are the most important factors the university considers in an applicant? Every admissions committee is different from department to department in terms of what they would like to see from an applicant. For the most part, they are looking for someone who is academically prepared to contribute to the greater body of research in academia. This requires being focused and interested in a particular area, driven to succeed in this area, able to sustain a level of intellectual rigor over a long period of time. This can be demonstrated by successful scores, highly articulated statements and writing samples, and overwhelming support by peers and teachers regarding their academic and intellectual capacities.

Are there plenty of fellowships available to graduate students and how soon would you recommend applying for them? University-based Fellowships are at a minimum, with the greatest awards going to the most competitive scholars. A list of university fellowships can be found on the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) website. There are a number of extramural fellowships available for graduate study, both predissertation and dissertation.

Would you mind clarifying the conditions for the Personal Statement? 2,500 word limit. Don't be concerned with the font or spacing because the online application will autoformat it. We recommend that you produce your statement and then cut-and-paste into the online application. After you have entered it, revisit it to make minor edits because the autoformat is not a perfect tool.

Do you need the faculty/recommender to send the letters directly to your department or can I get them sealed and send them along with other supplemental materials? Either way is fine.  Materials or documents that cannot be submitted online should be mailed to:

University of California-San Diego Department of Sociology, Graduate Admissions 9500 Gilman Drive, MC# 0533 La Jolla, CA 92093-0533

When will I know a decision about my admissions status? Applicants are generally notified by mid-February of an admissions decision. Your admissions decision will be communicated via the email address associated with your GradApply account. 

If I am admitted, can I defer for a year? We do not currently offer an option to defer admittance. Students requesting to have admission deferred may notify Graduate Admissions of their decision, however they are not guaranteed acceptance or financial assistance for the following year. Deferred files will be evaluated along with new applications for that year.

For more information, please visit Graduate Admissions FAQs .

Program Requirements

Migration, Ethnicity, Race, Nation Workshop

The following program requirements apply to students who entered the Ph.D program in 2010-11 or later; students admitted prior to 2010 should consult the department or the  Bulletin from their year of admission  for requirements specific to their cohort. Please review the department's Doctoral Program Handbook for more details on each requirement.

Students must complete the following department requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Sociology:

• Proseminar:  Students must enroll in  SOC 305  Graduate Proseminar in Autumn Quarter of the first year. The course provides an introduction and orientation to the field of sociology, and to the department and faculty.
• Colloquium:  The Sociology Colloquium is a semi-monthly seminar held throughout the academic year, in which distinguished scholars lecture about their cutting-edge research. This course,  SOC 396 , is required for all first and second years.
• Minimum sociology units in years 1 and 2:  Students are required to complete 45 units of course work in Sociology in the first academic year, then 15 units of Sociology course work in the second academic year.
• Theory:  Students are required to take two courses in sociological theory. The first course is macro-sociological theory:  SOC 370A  Sociological Theory: Social Structure, Inequality, and Conflict, and the second course:  SOC 372  Theoretical Analysis and Design, should be taken during the first year of the program. 
• Methodology:  Students are required to complete a four course series in methodology. The required methods sequence, to be taken are: SOC 380 Qualitative Methods,  SOC 381  Sociological Methodology I: Introduction,  SOC 382  Sociological Methodology II: Multivariate Regression,  SOC 383  Sociological Methodology III.
• Survey Courses:  Students must complete four broad survey courses to demonstrate command of a range of sociological literature.
• Workshops:  Beginning in year two, doctoral students are required to enroll in at least one workshop each quarter. 
• Qualifying Exam #1:  The first comprehensive examination is designed to ensure that students enter their second year with a firm reading knowledge of two substantive subfields. Students write two essays in response to questions provided by the examining committee. Students choose one of two questions to write on for each subfield. Examinations are offered in a variety of subject areas, and are based on comprehensive readings lists that are available at the beginning of each academic year.
• Qualifying Exam #2 : In their second year of residence, students must pass qualifying exam #2, which is a research paper that is intended to provide students with a more focused engagement in a specialized subfield or research area, and tests the student’s ability to work and think independently. Second year students are required to enroll in  SOC 385A  Research Practicum 1 and  SOC 385B  Research Practicum II  (both workshops assist in developing the front end of the research paper). Students must submit a one-page proposal to the reading committee that includes a brief statement of the problem; a preliminary research design; a data source and proof of reasonable access to it; and a short reading list. Students should produce a paper that makes an original contribution to sociological knowledge and that is ultimately publishable. That generally means writing a paper that includes data analysis; a full and focused analytic discussion of relevant theory and research; and frame the findings as a contribution to the literature. Students may also produce a paper with a primarily theoretical contribution so long as the prospects for eventual publication are clear to the committee. This paper may not also be employed to meet the Third Year Paper requirement, even in revised form.
• Third Year Paper:  In preparation for a career of writing scholarly papers, each student must complete a research paper in the third year of residency. This third-year paper may be on any sociological topic, and may address theoretical, empirical, or methodological issues. The paper is expected to reflect original work and be of publishable quality. Students select a committee of at least two Sociology faculty members to serve as third year paper readers.  
• Conference Presentation:  Students are required to present at least two papers at a major professional meeting (e.g., ASA), department workshops, or a combination of the two in their first five years of graduate study. 
• Dissertation Prospectus and Prospectus Defense:  In order to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent scholarly work, each student must prepare and defend dissertation prospectus by the end of May during the fourth year in residence.
• Doctoral Dissertation and Defense:  Each student must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation. At the choice of the student (and in consultation with his/her adviser), the dissertation requirement may be met either by (1) submitting a book-length document, or (2) submitting three independent papers. The papers may address the same topic, but should be written as stand-alone, single-authored papers in standard journal format (i.e., AJS or ASR). None of these papers may overlap substantially with one another, and none of them may be co-authored. (The main criterion in judging substantial overlap is whether any standard journal, such as AJS, would regard the papers as too similar to publish both.) The dissertation must be submitted to all committee members at least 30 days in advance of the defense date. The dissertation defense serves as the  Oral Examination required by the University . Assessment of satisfactory completion is determined by the student's doctoral committee members. All students are invited to present their dissertation findings at an informal department colloquium.

Students must complete a minimum of  three quarters of teaching apprenticeship in departmental courses, or in other courses by approval. Students working as either a teaching assistant (TA) under the supervision of a faculty member or as a teaching fellow (TF) fulfills this requirement. Students are required to take  SOC 300, Workshop: The Art & Joy of Teaching , in the first year. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of department and University teacher training programs. Students for whom English is a second language are expected to acquire sufficient facility in English to be an effective teacher.  It is recommended that students complete their teaching requirements early in their graduate program; the requirement must be completed by the end of the fourth year of residency.

As partial preparation for becoming an accomplished researcher, each student must complete three quarters of research experience, working under the supervision of one or more faculty members, including regular, emeritus, and affiliated faculty. The experience may involve paid (or unpaid) work as a Research Assistant (RA). With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, research experience may be acquired by involvement in research projects outside the department. It is recommended that students complete their research requirements early in their graduate program; the requirement must be completed by the end of the fourth year of residency.

At any point during the degree program, evidence that a student is performing at a less than satisfactory level may be cause for a formal academic review of that student.

Full recap of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Olympics opening ceremony takes place in Paris

The 2024 Paris Olympics got underway on Friday with a unique opening ceremony on the river Seine which divided opinion on a chaotic day in France.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators braved heavy downpours to line the banks of the Seine for the first opening ceremony of a Games to take place outside of a stadium.

They were entertained by a flotilla of barges carrying more than 6,000 athletes and musical performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, who gave her first public performance since revealing she is living with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome.

But the ceremony was overshadowed by a series of attacks on the country’s high-speed rail network earlier in the day . The state-owned railway operator SNCF said timetables would be severely impacted all weekend and has urged all travelers to postpone their journeys.

A walk along the Seine for the Olympic opening ceremony, where the joy was back

The top boats that took to the Seine for the ceremony

The boats are docked, the cauldron is lit and the 2024 Olympic Games are officially underway.

The opening ceremony was not held in a stadium for the first time in Olympic history, as the Seine entertained 85 boats.

Greece and France were the bookends of the floating parade. Greece is always the first nation to start the “parade of nations” in the Olympic opening ceremony as an ode to the country that created the Games.

The host then country closes out the procession.

All the boats passed under 24 of the 37 bridges along the River Seine, according to the NBC broadcast. Some were large, some were small. Some hauled hundreds of athletes while others held a handful.

Therefore, here were the most eye-catching cruisers of the opening ceremony.

Paris 2024 river parade: Top boats of the Olympic opening ceremony on the Seine

Advertisement

Post-ceremony job 1: correct the flag?

A real horse led by a rider dressed in a metallic Joan of Arc-inspired outfit, walked to deliver the folded Olympic flag to the Palace du Trocadero stage.

The flag was then hoisted above the Trocadero…although eagle-eyed fans noticed the flag was accidentally hung upside down.

Best moments of 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony: Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec light the torch, Celine Dion and more

An iconic view over Paris

Getty Images

Imagine conceiving this idea, and finally getting to see it in real life over the French capital’s skyline.

Here, the Olympic flame held aloft by a hot-air balloon is flanked by the Eiffel Tower to its left and the Arc de Triomphe to its right.

USA’s jeans, Mongolia’s deels and Canada’s red on red

Still intrigued by some of the outfits you saw bobbing up and down on the River Seine earlier? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

This is good fun from the excellent Caoimhe O’Neill on the fashion show that was an 85-boat flotilla trundling through Paris. It’s all yours and may well inspire your next shopping trip. Maybe.

Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony outfits: USA’s jeans, Mongolia’s deels and Canada’s red on red

A walk along the Seine...where the joy was back

You will have seen updates in here from our own brilliant writer Matthew Futterman , as he stood and waited for the opening ceremony to unfold before him.

Well, he has written his piece. This is how it starts:

📝 PARIS — There was noise, the kind only a throng of humanity can sound.

How big a throng?

Four-miles-long-and-30-deep-on-both-sides-of-the-river big.

Hundreds of thousands lined the Seine, that river of rivers snaking through the French capital…as thousands of athletes floated by on boats and barges, waving flags and arms and clinging to each other in ways that conjured that dark memory of a time when none of this was possible.

I now want to read the rest of M atthew ’s writing, and I’m sure you do too. Just follow the link below.

The pick of the moments from the opening ceremony

From the piano playing of Lady Gaga to a heavy metal Les Mis tribute, a horsewoman riding the Seine and a GOAT boat.

We saw it all through almost four hours of spectacle in the French capital, welcoming the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And you can catch up on all those remarkable moments, in this cracking piece from Tess DeMeyer below. Enjoy!

Now for the real deal

If you thought the opening ceremony was fun, then wait until you start getting stuck into the actual sport.

In truth we’ve already seen some, with the soccer and rugby sevens among the sports providing a soft-launch to the Paris 2024 events. But with the Games now officially open, we get properly engrossed.

There is diving, fencing, road time-trial cycling, shooting, skateboard and swimming all on the bill for Saturday.

And even better news… You can follow all of it through The Athletic ’s Olympics coverage right here (click 'follow' in the top right hand corner).

Let’s the real fun and Games begin!

A fully French affair as the cauldron is lit

So after weeks of secrecy and hours of anticipation during the opening ceremony, it was Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec revealed as the final co-torchbearers and honoree lighters of the Olympic cauldron.

A quintessential French choice to end a true extravaganza of an opening ceremony.

The flame was then lifted into the sky by a flying hot-air balloon, to mark the beginning of the 2024 Olympic Games.

You can read up on exactly how and why with the link below.

Teddy Riner, Marie-José Pérec jointly light Olympic cauldron to kick off 2024 Summer Games

The ceremony closes, the iconic sights last

With the end of Celine Dion’s poignant performance and with tears in her eyes, that is the climax of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.

The hot-air balloon holding the Olympic flame in the Paris sky is a remarkable sight, with the shimmering Eiffel Tower a decent step back in the distance.

I can fully appreciate now why it took so long to get the torch back there.

The sight though… It is utterly spellbinding. What a brilliant piece of design and the sight you will see on all your media pages, social feeds and TV bulletins through the coming hours.

Well done, Paris. Well done.

The Brits knew it was coming

X/TheAthletic

...as shown on their boat earlier.

Where is Celine? You know where...

I forgot to say, Celine Dion is of course performing from under the Olympic rings plastered to the front of the Eiffel Tower.

But I reckon you’d probably guessed that was how it was happening.

The moment arrives and it is beautiful

Now then. Here we are. The oldest living French Olympian, 100-year-old Charles Coste, joins the group.

He passes the flame to three-time Olympic gold medaling judoka Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic track champion Marie-Jose Perec — both symbols of French sporting excellence — and they hand the flame to an incredible hot air balloon structure that takes the seven-meter-wide Olympic flame into the air.

This is truly an incredible sight, all playing out to the background music of Edith Piaf.

Simply spectacular. Beautifully French.

And then right on cue, Celine Dion signing in French. Et voila!

The torch guardians group grows and grows

The accumulating crew of French athletes continues to grow, with handball star Allison Pineau the latest to lead the group — but in truth we’re picking up sports stars at an accelerating rate and it’s unlikely you’re all going to get a namecheck at this point. Sorry.

A whole new torch relay

High fives to the crowd from Mauresmo as she carries the torch on land and back through and towards the Louvre.

The idea now seems to be to pass the torch through various French Olympians and Paralympians, as well as former NBA star and French-American, Tony Parker.

The jog through more French landmarks continues. But to where?

It’s a great question…

And so we wait

Well, the lightshow and lasers are continuing from the Eiffel Tower, and the boat is still trundling down the Seine.

As has just been pointed out to me, Rafael Nadal is due on court tomorrow and as it stands, he and a lot of other athletes are going to be having a late night at this rate.

Not the ideal preparation. I’m sure this isn’t the first time I’ve written that tonight either.

Anyway, the boat has finally docked and Amelie Mauresmo is on hand to take on the torch.

One more show for the road — or rather, water

We are on our final performance of the opening ceremony, by the looks of it.

Supernature from Cerrone plays out, with a sign language performance by Shaheem Sanchez.

Fortunately, our super boat quartet are still enjoying themselves in their classy outfits and required life jackets.

Two more for the champion vessel

Goodness me, you saw him earlier in this feed… Yes, Carl Lewis is also on this magic Olympic marvel of a boat — as well as Games icon, Nadia Comaneci.

A lot of sports titles weighing down that boat right now.

Serena gets the call and she is on the boat!

The Eiffel Tower glimmers in the Paris night. The crowd cheers to make up for the waiting.

Back to the Seine, as a motorboat trundles back down the river towards Palace du Tracadero.

Nadal is standing up in the boat, holding the torch and clinging to a pole that’s clearly there to help him stand up.

Nadal passes the torch to…

Serena Williams!

The Eiffel Tower’s big moment

Here come the iconic shots. The five Olympic lights are light on the Eiffel Tower, before lights and lasers stream from the Paris landmark.

Quite frankly, this looks epic.