phd in sociology usa

Graduate Program

Graduate program in sociology.

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise. Berkeley welcomes a wide diversity of students with far-ranging research interests and equips them with the sociological training, resources, and supportive community necessary to succeed in academia and beyond. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas. 

Factors distinguishing our graduate program from others nationwide include: 1) our rigorous training in general social theory, 2) our emphasis on public sociology and social justice, and 3) our embeddedness in a vibrant interdisciplinary community. Our emphasis on social theory is demonstrated by our required graduate theory sequence, elective theory courses, qualifying examination in theory, and teaching opportunities within Berkeley’s undergraduate theory sequence. As a department, we also maintain an abiding focus on public sociology and offer a number of fellowships, grants, and awards for students pursuing research that advances social justice. Finally, beyond the department, many students and faculty engage with university-wide institutes and clusters including the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, the Institute of Governmental Studies, the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, the Latin America research cluster, and many others.

Students admitted to Berkeley sociology receive a competitive funding package which includes six years of full support (including tuition and a living stipend) through a combination of fellowships and teaching, with many opportunities to secure funding past year six. Additionally, students are mentored in the skills needed to secure nationally competitive fellowships. In the past dozen years, Berkeley graduate students were awarded nearly one-quarter of the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Sociology (53 of 226), almost double that of any other program. In addition, our students support their research with fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the Fulbright Graduate Student Program, and more.  They also receive funding for their dissertation research from the National Science Foundation, the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, the Charlotte Newcombe Foundation, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the German Marshall Fund, and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.

Berkeley graduate students receive mentorship to publish widely and influence the field. In the 24 years that the American Sociological Association has awarded an annual prize for the best dissertation in sociology, Berkeley graduate students have won a quarter of the time (6), far more than any other department. The “News” section of this site details some recent graduate student publications. Following completion of their Ph.D.s, Berkeley graduate students frequently end up publishing their dissertations as books. For example, the students who finished from 2000 through 2007 currently have 34 books published or in press.

Training in our department has prepared many of our graduates to obtain research and teaching positions in research-oriented universities; recent graduates currently hold faculty positions at Harvard, Michigan, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, UCLA, Columbia, Cornell, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCSF, UCSC, Syracuse, USC, Arizona, Washington, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, MIT, Georgetown, Boston U, SUNY Albany, UMass Amherst, William and Mary, Tufts and Oregon. Other students have taken jobs at more teaching-oriented schools, such as the Cal State campuses, Oberlin, Wellesley, Barnard, Boston College, Wesleyan and Sarah Lawrence.  Outside the US, students have taken jobs at McGill (Montreal), University College (Dublin), Universidad Carlos III (Madrid) and Tsinghua (Beijing).  A smaller but significant number have pursued careers in research institutes, business, government, and nonprofits.

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Our faculty encourages you to become a creative independent researcher. During your graduate career, you will read broadly across fields and generate work that is theoretically, empirically, and analytically rigorous. The program provides advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as mixed methods.

Students in the program have conducted research on a variety of projects, including investigating food insecurity in Atlanta, the social effects of climate change, and community policing in a public housing project.

The program has an excellent placement record with graduates securing faculty positions at institutions such as Stanford University, Yale School of Management, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago, and University of Toronto. Others have gone on to non-academic careers at organizations such as The Urban Institute, Abt Associates, and Facebook.

Related Programs

Students considering the PhD program in sociology may also be interested in the PhD programs in Sociology and Social Policy or Organizational Behavior , both of which are offered jointly with the Department of Sociology . Students who wish to apply to one of these programs in addition to the PhD program in sociology may do so.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Sociology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Sociology .

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be a term paper, senior thesis, master’s essay, or similar written work. Citations and references are not included in the page limit.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Required

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Sociology

See list of Sociology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Sociology, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

The department’s primary educational goal is to train first-class sociology Ph.D. students. The sociology graduate experience at Johns Hopkins University is best characterized as a research apprenticeship – a careful blend of formal instruction, faculty-directed individual study, and supervised as well as self-initiated research. The department’s small size and specific focus areas yield a personalized course of study and close relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students. The social climate is informal, and the mix of students and faculty, drawn from a wide variety of geographic and social backgrounds, constitutes a rewarding intellectual community. For more details, please visit http://soc.jhu.edu/graduate/ .

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit an application fee, personal statement, all college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a sample of written work. International applicants must also submit a TOEFL score and a financial statement (FS-1G Form: Graduate International Student Notification [F-1/J-1]). GRE scores are optional. Applicants should have a broad background in social science, especially sociology, economics, and psychology. Training in mathematics is encouraged. The department gives greatest weight to an applicant’s demonstrated ability and past performance. For more details, please visit http://soc.jhu.edu/graduate/admissions/ .

Program Requirements

This fall semester course is taken during the first year. Faculty presentations introduce students to the substantive interests, research and professional background of the sociology faculty. It is graded pass/fail.

To count toward degree requirements, core curriculum courses other than the Proseminar (which is graded Pass/Fail) and the Trial Paper Research series of courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. After the core course requirement is satisfied, additional methods courses from the list above may be used to fulfill the five-elective course requirement.

In addition to the core curriculum, graduate students must enroll in five additional graduate-level courses. At least four of the five electives must be JHU Sociology department courses. Up to four of the five electives may be fulfilled by a combination of:

• credit awarded for previous graduate coursework that predates matriculation at JHU;
• courses taken outside the department that are permissible under the Handbook rules and with the Departmental advisor’s approval;
• and one directed research and independent study courses within the Department.

All must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. While students are free to select these courses, the department strongly recommends that they be taken from diverse fields of specializations so as to maximize the breadth of exposure to core areas of sociology and other disciplines.

Teaching Assistantships

As part of their preparation for future academic work, graduate students are required to register for  AS.230.811 Teaching Assistantship  and serve as a teaching assistant for at least one semester.

Foreign Language

The Sociology Department no longer requires certification of fluency in a foreign language as part of the Ph.D. requirements. Students should be proactive in gaining the language skills necessary to conduct their TRP and dissertation research, and should work closely with their advisor to determine whether additional language education is needed.

A minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time residence is mandatory for all degrees. However, at least six semesters of full-time residence is recommended by the department for completion of the core curriculum, electives, and completion of a research apprenticeship and a trial research paper. By the end of the fourth year in the program, the student is expected to have written a dissertation proposal and have defended it successfully before the appropriate examining committees.

Research Assistantship/Apprenticeship

AS.230.801 Research Assistantship  and AS.230.804 Research Apprenticeship

Students are required to develop practical research expertise through professional-level participation (data analysis, literature searches/reviews, non-routine data processing or coding, preparation and refinement of research instruments, and data/file management). This requirement is fulfilled by satisfactorily completing a Research Apprenticeship, which is required during the student’s first year of full-time graduate study in the department. The standard for certification is substantial research accomplishment as judged by the faculty supervisor.

Trial Research Paper

( AS.230.685 TRP Seminar I , AS.230.690 TRP Seminar II , AS.230.815 Trial Research Paper I , AS.230.816 Trial Research Paper II , AS.230.817 Trial Research Paper III )

Students begin working on a Trial Research Paper (TRP) no later than the spring semester of their second year. The TRP affords students the experience of planning and executing a research project that leads to a publishable quality paper. The TRP is expected to be a serious, complete work of scholarship, suitable for conference presentation or journal submission. Whether or not the topic of the TRP is similar to that of the eventual dissertation, we believe all students will benefit from going through this exercise before planning for the dissertation.

By the end of the fall semester of their second year, students should invite a faculty TRP advisor to supervise the design and execution of the TRP project. Regular or adjunct faculty members whose positions entitle them to serve as dissertation advisors are eligible to serve as faculty TRP advisors. Work on the TRP generally will be done over three semesters. In order to facilitate progress on the TRP, students register for courses that are meant to consist of one-on-one meetings with their TRP advisor (TRP I, AS.230.815 Trial Research Paper I in the spring of your second year, TRP II, AS.230.816 Trial Research Paper II in the fall of your third year, and TRP III, AS.230.817 Trial Research Paper III in the spring of your third year.)

In order to facilitate student progress on the TRP, the department has also introduced two required TRP seminars, for which all students register in the spring of their second and third year. These are:   AS.230.685 TRP Seminar I (spring of second year) & AS.230.690 TRP Seminar II (spring of third year). These courses will be graded pass/fail and will not count toward the fulfillment of the elective courses required for the Ph.D.

A TRP proposal must be approved by the faculty TRP advisor by the end of the spring semester of the second year. By the end of the fall semester of the third year, the TRP advisor must approve a draft of the paper which will then be reviewed by another department faculty member. The TRP advisor, at their discretion, may extend this deadline to the end of the intersession period following the fall semester. The faculty reviewer will evaluate the paper and, if necessary, recommend revisions that should be made before the paper is certified. The TRP advisor will determine required revisions and must certify a final TRP by the end of the spring semester of the third year.

Dissertation

The student must propose and conduct original research presented in a dissertation suitable for publication. The department administers an oral examination which must be passed before the student is allowed to defend before a university board. The dissertation must then be defended either at a Graduate Board preliminary oral examination, based on the dissertation proposal, or at a Graduate Board final oral examination, based on the completed dissertation.

Special Programs

The department offers two special programs that coordinate activities in its two focus areas. Doctoral students may affiliate with one or both of these programs at their discretion. These programs function as fields of doctoral specialization within the Department of Sociology.

Program on Global Social Change (PGSC)

This focus area of graduate study focuses on cross-national, comparative research and long-term, world-scale social change. The goal of the program is to give students knowledge of the various theoretical perspectives in these areas, experience in data collection and analysis, and expertise in one or more substantive fields.

The program does not focus on a particular geographic area, although faculty members have conducted extensive research on Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Instead of a geographical approach, the emphasis is on issues of development and social change that cut across different countries and world regions. Examples are globalization and regionalization, labor and development, city systems and urban primacy, social movements and revolutions, state violence, migration and labor force formation, family structure and change, social structure and personality, and national and international stratification. Students enroll in a sequence of courses and seminars and participate actively in ongoing faculty projects dealing with one or more of the above issues.

In addition, the interdisciplinary character of graduate education at Johns Hopkins University offers students ample opportunity to enroll in courses or collaborate in research of faculty in other departments. Faculty associates of the program include distinguished scholars in anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and public health.

A graduate focus area is not required of Ph.D. students.

Program on Social Inequality (PSI)

This focus area of graduate study focuses on the causes and consequences of social inequality, the social processes that sustain it, and how social policies can reduce it. These questions are addressed in terms of class, gender, race, ethnicity, and immigration status/citizenship.

The program is designed to train students in the sociological analysis of social inequality among individuals and groups. This training includes course work in areas such as social stratification, the sociology of the family, the sociology of education, sociology of immigration, social structure and personality, social policy, and research design and methods. Students in the PSI program enroll in a sequence of courses and seminars and participate actively in ongoing faculty projects dealing with one or more of the above issues.

In addition, the interdisciplinary character of graduate education at Johns Hopkins University offers students ample opportunity to enroll in courses or collaborate in research with faculty in other departments. Faculty associates of the program include distinguished scholars in anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and public health.

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• PhD in Sociology

The Sociology PhD program trains future scholars in the fundamental skills of the discipline of sociology. Students will acquire advanced knowledge of sociological theory and research in their chosen areas of specialization within the discipline in order to make a significant and original contribution to the field. Graduates of the program are prepared to take up teaching and research positions in academia or beyond. Applicants should have at least a bachelor’s degree in any discipline; a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in sociology is preferable but not required.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to sociological knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Be able to conduct scholarly activities in a professional and ethical manner.
• Be able to teach undergraduates.

Course Requirements

Candidates admitted to the PhD program must complete 16 courses, including 5 required and 11 elective courses (64 credits).

Basic requirements (5 courses for a total of 20 credits):

• GRS SO 701 Advanced Sociological Theory (Classical)
• GRS SO 702 Proseminar: Sociological Methods
• GRS SO 708 Contemporary Sociological Theory
• GRS SO 712 Qualitative Methods (or an approved course in qualitative methods in the social sciences)
• GRS SO 724 Quantitative Methods in Sociological Analysis* (or an equivalent Graduate Programs Committee–approved advanced quantitative methods course)

Strongly encouraged (2 2-credit courses run over two semesters for a total of 4 credits):

• GRS SO 951 and SO 952 Professionalization Workshop

Elective courses (11 courses, can include SO 951 and SO 952, for a total of 44 credits)

The GRS SO 701 and SO 702 required courses should be completed in the first year of study. All first-year students are also strongly encouraged to register for GRS SO 951 and SO 952. The student’s remaining coursework should be chosen in conjunction with their advisor. Please consult the Department of Sociology Graduate Student Handbook for further details.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Requirements

After all courses are complete but before students write their Dissertation Prospectus, they must first meet two qualifying requirements. For each of two subfields of Sociology, students must complete either a: (1) critical essay, (2) critical exam, or (3) research paper suitable for submission to a scholarly journal. Each product shall demonstrate intellectual mastery of theories, concepts, methods, and research in the discipline. Students should select a format for each subfield in consultation with their advisor. Upon completion and approval of each paper, exam, or critical essay, the work is defended in a Comprehensive Oral Examination.

The oral examination will primarily cover the fields in the critical essay and research paper, but it may also cover other substantive, methodological, or theoretical material from the students’ coursework.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the director of graduate studies, and the department chair/program director. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree and the Graduate Student Handbook .

Students who choose to withdraw from the PhD program and graduate with a terminal MA in Sociology must complete all of the requirements of the MA program , including the minimum 8 graduate-level courses (32 credits) and the master’s thesis on a project of original research. Students should consult the Graduate Student Handbook for additional details about required courses for the MA program.

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The PhD in Sociology is designed to prepare students for a range of career options, post-graduate educational opportunities, and a life of engaged, democratic citizenship. Through a rigorous curriculum, students experience methodological, theoretical, and substantive training aimed at enhancing critical thinking, social awareness, and a globally-oriented conception of inequality and justice.

In The News

Graduate Student Pathway

A Strategy to Transcend Gender Inequities

Interdisciplinary Research Bolsters Nation’s Resliience

Embedded in interdisciplinary networks and committed to experiential knowledge, the Sociology department is well-positioned to help solve the world’s most pressing problems—from health disparities, to the impacts of climate change, to the inclusion, recognition, and dignity of persons marginalized by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexuality, to growing wealth disparities and labor exploitation, to the full inclusion of refugees and migrants.

Through a rigorous curriculum, our students experience methodological, theoretical, and substantive training aimed at enhancing critical thinking, social awareness, and a globally-oriented conception of inequality and justice.

We encourage students to forge close working relationships with our faculty, who contribute to a range of interdisciplinary research projects, programs, and centers across the College of Social Sciences and Humanities and throughout Northeastern University, including the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research, the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures, the Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict, the Summer Institute on Engaging Geography in the Humanities, and the Program on Human Rights in the Global Economy, the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, among others.

Learn more about the PhD program in Sociology from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

• Annual departmental workshops on academic writing, teaching, grant writing, media relations, and other “professional development” matters
• Funded research opportunities through faculty and affiliated centers
• Small cohort sizes afford students the opportunity to forge close working relationships with the faculty.
• Committed to reflecting inward on ourselves as educators, students, and members of the community by continuing to build an anti-racist department.
• Bachelor’s and Master’s program entry
• Offer a strong curricular foundation in sociology and the social sciences.
• Inculcate in students a depth of knowledge in the basic tools of the discipline.
• Train our students to be outstanding teachers and researchers.
• Provide a professional socialization that adequately prepares students for a career in the discipline.

Northeastern’s signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students acquire relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Each program offers its own unique experiential learning opportunities, but they might include:

• EXPERIENTIAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES: Our doctoral students gain real-world experience working with research centers and conducting field work. Experiential fellowships that place students into nonprofits, state agencies, and industry settings may be available in some doctoral programs. Through summer scholars programs, doctoral students can work with agencies doing work closely related to their dissertation research.
• In-Class Case Studies — Professors integrate case studies and exercises into the classroom to bring a real-world perspective and relevance to what they’re teaching.
• Research — Students collaborate with faculty in our more than 30 federally funded research centers, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in health, security, and sustainability.

Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.

• Mount Ida College
• Crittenton Women’s Union
• Virgina Tech University
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Columbia University – Teacher’s College
• Johnson & Wales University
• Curry College
• Swank Properties
• St. Lous University
• University of Massachusetts, Boston
• University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
• University of Washington, Tacoma
• Trinity College
• University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute’s Economic and Public Policy Research
• Nazarene College
• Witchita State University

Application Materials

Application.

• Application fee – US $100
• Personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• English proficiency for international applicants
• Three letters of recommendation
• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – Optional
• Writing sample
• Applicants seeking enrollment prior to the Fall 2023 term should apply through this  link .

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 1

• Program Website

Request Information for PhD in Sociology

PhD: How to Apply

The Sociology Department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Sociology Department welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars, and we are committed to providing a supportive environment for all students whom we admit. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field .

Minimizing pre-admission communication with faculty: We appreciate that prospective graduate students are often instructed to reach out to faculty in advance of applying. However, our policy is to avoid any protracted discussions between faculty and candidates prior to admission since research shows that fair and transparent process can easily be clouded by back-channel communications.  We don’t mean to be off-putting! Instead, our goal is to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity and is considered fairly. For more information, you can review Stanford's Guide to Getting into Grad School.

Application Requirements

The 2024-25 Sociology Ph.D. applications are now closed.

Please be aware that you must submit your online application by the deadline.  Incomplete applications cannot be completed or submitted after the deadline. Recommendation letters and official test scores from ETS can be submitted by faculty and ETS after the application deadline date. 

PhD Admissions FAQs

Join dozens of  Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission .

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125 .  You may submit only one application per year (unless one of the applications is to one of the professional schools (Law, Medicine or Business). Acceptable form of payment is by credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard only.) We do not accept electronic check payments or checks by mail. 

The fee is non-refundable and must be received by the application deadline. 

Many applicants qualify for application fee waivers. Stanford offers several application fee waiver options to ensure that the application process is available to everyone who wishes to apply. 

In the electronic application, you will be asked to upload scans of transcripts (see specific information below), a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and your CV or resume. When preparing your application materials to be uploaded into the electronic application, please note the following:

• File size must be 10MB or LESS
• Files cannot be password protected
• PDF files cannot have a digital signature
• Save each document separately

When scanning hard copy materials to upload into your electronic application please note the following:

• Resolution should be no more than 300dpi
• Scan in black and white only
• Removing images will help reduce file size

The statement of purpose (also known as a "personal statement") should describe your reasons for applying to the Doctoral Program in Sociology at Stanford.  This document is not to exceed two pages in length (single-spaced).  You should include details regarding your qualifications, academic and research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid our admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology. You will be asked to upload your statement of purpose in the online application.

You must upload one scanned version of your transcript(s) in the online application. Please read the  Applying  section of this website for important information submitting transcripts.

If offered admission:  Please see this page for information on submitting final official transcripts .

Stanford accepts electronic letters of recommendation via Stanford online application system - we no longer accept paper letters.

Three letters of recommendation are required, and they must be submitted using the online service.

As part of the online application, you will be required to register the name and contact information, including e-mail address, of each of your recommenders. Recommenders will then receive an e-mail with directions on how to proceed. At least one letter should be a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student (unless you have been out of school for more than five years.)

• Please inform letter writers of the application deadline.
• Letters of recommendation cannot be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed; they will be rejected.
• Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test

* GRE Fee Reduction Waiver

Register early to maximize the chances of scheduling your preferred test date and time

We strongly advise you to take the GRE no later than September, so that your scores will be received by the application deadline.

Late test scores may disqualify you from admission.

We require the GRE General Test only - we do not require the subject test.

Scores must be from an examination taken within the last five years. No exceptions.

Scores must be reported directly to Stanford from the Educational Testing Service.

The Stanford institution code is 4704 .  Please do not specify  a department code.

For more information regarding the GRE, please contact ETS directly.

GRE scores from ETS are valid for five years.  For questions about the validity of GRE scores, please contact ETS. If ETS can send your GRE scores, we will accept them.

Arrangements to take the GRE General Test can be made online or by writing:

P.O. Box 600, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, USA

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission.

TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Stanford does not accept IELTS scores.

TOEFL EXEMPTIONS:

You are  exempt  from submitting a TOEFL score if you meet one the following criteria:     A. You (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally- accredited college or university in the United States (territories and possessions excluded).     B. You (will) have an equivalent degree from an English-language university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

You may request a  waiver  if you (will) have an equivalent degree from a recognized institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in which English was the language of instruction.

NOTE: Being a U.S. citizen does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit the TOEFL.

TOEFL scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last eighteen months.

We urge you to take the TOEFL by November to be eligible for admission for the following Autumn Quarter. Evidence of adequate proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions.

The TOEFL is administered through: EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICES, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151

Information on registration, test centers, dates, and test formats .

The University Minimum TOEFL Score for Doctoral programs is 250 for Computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test, and 100 for Internet-based test. More information is available via the Stanford University Office of Graduate Admissions web site.

• Scores must be reported directly to Stanford from Educational Testing Service (ETS)

The Stanford score recipient number ( also called "Institution Code")  is  4704.  You do not need to specify a department code.

All scores are sent electronically to the Graduate Admissions Office, which will share your scores with your department.

Evidence of adequate English proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions.

TOEFL scores are retained for 20 months by ETS. For questions about the validity of TOEFL scores, please contact ETS. If ETS can send your TOEFL scores, we will accept them.

The Department of Sociology requires a writing sample from all applicants to the Ph.D. Program. The Admissions Committee will be looking for original work giving evidence of both writing ability and the capacity for research, analysis, and original thought at the graduate level. Your writing sample could be an honors or master’s thesis, published paper, co-written paper, or comparable article.

• Papers originally written in a language other than English must be submitted in English Translation.
• Samples may be up to 50 pages long.  Other things equal, a short, effectively written sample is preferable to a longer sample. If you decide to submit a longer sample, please indicate which pages should be reviewed by the admissions committee. Your writing sample can be uploaded with your online application as a text file as an addendum to your personal statement or under 'additional information'. Writing samples can be single or double spaced.
• You must upload your writing sample in the online application per "supporting documents" instructions above.

We do not require a CV or resume for application, but you may upload your CV or resume per the "supporting documents" instructions above.

The  2024-25 Graduate Admissions Application  will open on September 15, 2023.

Cornell’s Graduate Field of Sociology provides top-notch training toward the PhD in Sociology, and has long been known for its emphasis on both theoretical innovation and methodological rigor. The Field, which is much larger than the Department, has close to thirty  faculty  members. 

Explore the Graduate Program

Graduate spotlight: career placement.

Students in the graduate field of sociology have gone on to achieve professional success in academia, industry, and the non-profit and public sectors.  Click here to browse  a comprehensive list of career placements for our graduate students.

The department also actively supports recent Ph.D. and Ph.D. candidates seeking permanent employment.  Click here to explore  profiles of our current job market candidates.

Graduate Students in the News

Grad student receives funding for research on COVID-19, incarceration

Alumna Spotlight: Youngmin Yi, Ph.D.

Soc PhD named to Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

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Ph.D. in Sociology

ONLINE APPLICATION APPLY NOW

about OUR PROGRAM

Ranked among the top 10 programs in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report), the UCI graduate program in sociology offers students six years of guaranteed funding .

Scholars in the department have a proven record of earning competitive research funding from national agencies including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health; from private foundations including the Russell Sage Foundation and Grant Foundation; and from campus-level fellowships, such as the Public Impact, Fletcher Jones, and Chancellor's Club fellowships.

Faculty in the department publish regularly in the field's top academic journals, and graduate students have incredible opportunities to publish alongside them.

And if that wasn't enough, the UCI campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach, is the #1 university doing the most for the American dream ( New York Times College Access Index ), and the #1 best value university in the U.S. ( Forbes ). And USA Today College ranked UCI the #8 best place to earn a sociology degree ( U.S. News & World Report ).

Learn more about sociology at UCI...

university committed to economic diversity and upward mobility - New York Times College Access Index

best college in the nation - Money Magazine

public university in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

best public sociology program in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

LOCATION Campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach.  

FUNDING Admitted students receive 6 years of guaranteed funding.  

METHODOLOGY Quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues.

DEGREE Ph.D.; a master's degree may be earned while in pursuit of the Ph.D.  

ENROLLMENT Full-time, on-campus with housing.    

SPECIALIZATION The department offers a dozen areas in which graduate students can focus their studies.

JOB PLACEMENTS

Boston University

Harvard University

RAND Corporation

Tulane University

University College London

UNC Chapel Hill

University of Tokyo

University of Washington

U.S. Census Bureau

Read more about alumni job placements...

  A top 10-ranked program with research strengths in population, family, immigration and inequality.  

what makes us

  UCI sociology is internationally recognized for research and training that supports studies across the spectrum of quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues. Research specialties within the department include:

• Economy, inequality, labor, and organizations
• Gender and family
• Global inequality and change
• Immigration
• Political sociology
• Social movements
• Race and ethnicity
• Social networks

Sociology faculty contribute not only to the department and the wider field but also to the campus's interdisciplinary units, providing leadership and core faculty to the institutes and centers. Students have an opportunity to earn a master's degree while in pursuit of their Ph.D., and are encouraged to enroll in interdisciplinary coursework.

Alumni have entered tenure-track positions at top research universities, highly competitive post-doctoral positions, and research-oriented jobs in both the public and private sectors.

In short, graduate students in sociology at UCI join a vibrant, collegial, rigorous academic program, with instruction from leading experts in the field, and a collaborative atmosphere that fosters success.

So what are you waiting for?

APPLY TODAY

If full funding, opportunities to publish, and a proven track record of excellence in the field are what you’re looking for in a graduate program, contact us today to learn more about UCI sociology.  

UCI Department of Sociology

Online Application

Department Chair

David John Frank   [email protected]  949.824.1117

Graduate Director

Yang Su   [email protected]  949.824.6800

Graduate Advisor

Jennifer Gerson   [email protected]  949.824.4074

connect with us

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PhD in Social Policy

In this section.

• Current Students
• PhD Student Life
• Degree Requirements
• What We Look For

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy combine the disciplinary depth of a PhD in political science or sociology with multidisciplinary perspectives and problem-driven research on questions of social policy.

As a joint venture between the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences'  Government and Sociology departments and Harvard Kennedy School, the program is designed for students like you who have broad interests in social policy problems and solutions, spanning topics such as:

• Economic inequality
• Wealth distribution (including high-end wealth accumulation)
• Race and ethnicity
• Poverty and social mobility
• Family dynamics
• Workplace inequities
• Health disparities
• Crime and criminal punishment
• Immigration
• Local politics, neighborhoods, and segregation
• Educational access and inequality
• Political participation and political inequality  

The “discipline-plus” model

The PhD Programs in Social Policy are grounded by a “discipline-plus” structure. You will build a strong foundation in either political science or sociology before embarking on a sequence of multidisciplinary seminars and advanced research in social policy—all of which will focus primarily on the United States and Western Europe.

Research at the core

The joint PhD Programs in Social Policy are targeted toward producing scholars whose research puts them at the forefront of studying key problems in social policy. The skills and cross-disciplinary insights you develop will allow you to identify important unanswered questions and create research strategies that improve our understanding of social problems.

Graduates of the joint PhD Programs in Social Policy leave the program well equipped to pursue careers in leading political science or sociology departments, public policy schools, law schools, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, and in the public sector. 

Sociology, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

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

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Sociology

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.

Applicants are eligible to apply if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in sociology or a related field.

Applications open september 1st and are due by december 1st to begin the program the following fall. admissions made for the fall semester only..

The coursework requirements for the PhD Program in Sociology consist of 84 credit hours.

A minimum of 84 hours is required.

Courses and Electives

Students may choose from a wide range of substantive and methodological elective courses offered in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics or other graduate training programs at ASU.

Graduate students may concentrate their studies in one of the four primary areas of specializations, or may choose another area to meet their specific research interests.

Additional Information

Financial support.

The PhD in Sociology students in good standing are usually funded for 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) during the academic year as Teaching Assistants and/or Research Assistants. Funding is usually provided throughout the doctoral career, contingent upon students' adequate progress to degree completion and availability of funds. This full-time assistantship includes a stipend, full tuition coverage, and health insurance.

For more information on TAs and RAs, please see the ASU Graduate College TA/RA Resources: https://graduate.asu.edu/current-students/enrich-your-experience/professional-development/graduate-assistant-training-tara

International students must pass the SPEAK Test to be eligible for Teaching Assistantships. Please see  https://globallaunch.asu.edu/learn-english/other-services/international-teaching-assistant for more information.

Research Assistantships and Summer Teaching Fellowships provide additional support for some Sociology doctoral students over the summer.

Other Funding Opportunities

• Summer Funding: Summer Research and teaching fellowships are available from the Sanford School.
• Fellowships: Students can apply to ASU's Graduate College for Dissertation Completion Fellowships.
• Travel Funds: Students can obtain travel funds from the Sanford School as well as various other university sources.

In addition to Sanford School fellowships and assistantships, there are various sources of financial aid through the University. Students should contact ASU's student financial aid office or visit https://students.asu.edu/graduate/finances for more information.

Specializations

Primary areas of emphasis:

• Inequality & power
• Law & society
• Race & ethnicity
• Children, youth & families
• Latinx sociology

In addition, students can take advantage of specializations of the affiliated faculty across the ASU campuses. The PhD program in Sociology allows students to develop their own specialization and program of study.

How to Apply

How do i apply to the doctoral program in sociology.

Applications are due by December 1.

Follow these steps to complete the application process.

1. Graduate College Application

• Complete the Graduate College at ASU application at https://webapp4.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp
• Request your official GRE and official collegiate transcripts to be sent to the Graduate College.

Send official materials to Graduate Admission Services https://admission.asu.edu/graduate/apply

ASU transcripts do not need to be sent

2. Other required supplemental materials

Submit all of the following materials online via the Graduate College Application at https://webapp4.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp

• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from an instructor at the applicant's institution where graduate work was completed and at least one from an instructor 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.
• Resume or curriculum vitae that summarizes your academic and employment experiences.
• One writing sample.
• State your professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in this program.
• Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the program and in reaching your professional goals.
• Describe, in detail, your research experience (include a description of your master's thesis if applicable). Describe the relevant responsibilities you have held.
• Indicate your personal research interests as specifically as possible.
• Include any additional information that you feel will help the committee evaluate your application.

Optional: Certified scores on the General Graduate Record Examination GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytical).

As part of the online graduate application you will submit the names and work email addresses for your three recommenders. Your recommenders will be sent instructions on how to electronically send their recommendations.

3. International Students – Required additional materials

International applicants must also meet all of the requirements and supply all of the information requested by the Graduate College at  https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate-apply .

How are admissions decisions made?

Admission to the Doctoral Program in Sociology is competitive. Applicants will be short-listed based on a review of all submitted materials, including official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, verbal, quantitative, and analytical GRE scores, statement of goals relevant to the doctoral program, three letters of recommendation, resume or CV, and complete application for admission to the Graduate College. Those applicants who make the short-list will be invited for a face-to-face or online interview. Final admissions decisions will be made following the interview.

If you have any questions about the online application procedures or about the program, please contact [email protected]

For questions about the Doctoral Program in Sociology contact Nilda Flores-Gonzalez at [email protected]

Work with Faculty

Degree requirements.

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.

Admission Requirements

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.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, learning outcomes.

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

Career Opportunities

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

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-6875

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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.

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• Prospective Students

PhD Admissions

The application portal for fall 2024 is open with an application deadline of january 15, 2024. if you have questions about our graduate program, please contact the director of graduate studies, dr. joshua bloom ( [email protected] ). we are happy to talk with you., application information .

Applicants to the graduate program in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh apply online. Your complete application for Fall term 2024 must be received by January 15.

In an effort to reduce financial barriers to attending graduate school, the Kenneth P. Dietrich Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers application fee waivers. Please note that fee waivers are approved on a case-by-case basis and not all fee waiver requests will be granted.  All requests received will be reviewed and responded to within 48 hours during normal business hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. EST.  To be considered for a fee waiver, Please complete the following fee waiver survey for review:  https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cD38CmmjcOT3Tvw .

Application Requirements

The complete application materials include the following:

• An application form
• A non-refundable application fee of $75.
• Describe your relevant research and real-world experience.
• What kind of career do you have in mind, and how will being a disciplined sociologist help you meet your goals?
• Describe a research project you imagine developing in graduate school.
• Describe any relevant previous training and proficiencies in the discipline.
• What led you to apply to the PhD program in Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh?
• A sample of written work (e.g., a senior thesis, term paper, or publication) that provides evidence of creative and critical thinking, quality of writing, and potential for engaging in independent research.
• Three letters of recommendation intended to provide independent evaluation of each applicant's potential. Letters should come from former professors or others who can evaluate your intellectual and academic qualifications for graduate study. Reference writers will submit these forms and letters independently from the application using a link embedded in an e-mail they receive from the online application process.
• Unofficial copy of transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended. If non-US citizens, please submit transcripts in the native language accompanied by notarized English translations. The University requires at least a 3.0. GPA. Note: official transcripts will need to be sent if admitted into the program. 

If you are having issues with any part of your on-line application for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences please reach out to the GradCas Applicant Help center:  https://help.liaisonedu.com/GradCAS_Applicant_Help_Center .  If you cannot find the answer to your question you can also contact them by phone 857-304-2086 or via email:  [email protected] .  For the quickest response it is best to contact them via chat on the Applicant Help center page.

English Proficiency Requirements

All non-U.S. citizens applying to the graduate program, except for those who have received degrees from a U.S. institution or from other English-speaking countries , must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) , International English Language Testing System (IELTS) , or Duolingo English Test as part of their application to demonstrate a sufficient command of English to meet the requirements of their field. The minimum scores are 90 for TOEFL (with at least a score of 22 in all of the four sections of speaking, listening, reading, and writing), 7.0 for IELTS (with at least 6.5 in each of its four sections), and 120 for Duolingo.

The TOEFL is offered several times each year at sites in the United States and abroad. If not available locally, the annual schedules and other information about the TOEFL can be obtained online or by mail from: Educational Testing Service (ETS) TOEFL, Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA (609) 771-7100 NOTE: TOEFL application booklets generally are available at U.S. colleges and universities and at U.S. consulates and U.S. Information Service offices abroad. Foreign students should check with these sources before writing to Princeton.

TOEFL Institution Code: 2927

IELTS official scores should be mailed to: Graduate Administrator University of Pittsburgh 2400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall 230 South Bouquet Street Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Questions about the application process may be addressed to our Graduate Administrator Paris Yamamoto at  [email protected] .

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

Graduate Program

Graduate Chair: Wendy D. Roth

Graduate Coordinator: Kailey Caldwell

Graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania is conducted through graduate groups formed according to different areas of study. These groups administer programs leading to the AM and PhD degrees. Those seeking a graduate degree in Sociology should apply to the Graduate Group in Sociology. Sociology students earn their MA on the way to the PhD. There is no terminal Master's degree program.

It is possible to earn a joint Ph.D. in Sociology and another discipline by being admitted to and satisfying the requirements of two Ph.D. programs and writing a single dissertation. Currently, students are enrolled in joint degrees with Demography, Education, Communications, and Africana Studies. Students seeking a joint Ph.D. combining Sociology with another program must be admitted in that program (as well as Sociology); admittance to the second program may occur after admission to the Sociology program.

Dual or joint degrees must be sought with the consultation of the Chair of the Graduate Group in Sociology and the Dean of the Graduate Division, School of Arts and Sciences. For admission information for the Department's PhD program or to direct questions to the Graduate Chair, interested parties should contact the Graduate Coordinator.

• Application Information for Prospective Students
• Program Requirements
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 For further information contact Kailey Caldwell : [email protected]

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Suggested search, phd in sociology, 2023-24 graduate handbook.

The department of Sociology at the University of Southern California offers graduate students a vibrant academic environment in a campus that is nestled in the midst of an exciting urban center. Our graduate students enjoy an exceptionally generous financial aid package. Upon graduation, our students take academic positions in research universities, liberal arts colleges, and other academic institutions. The department offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Our PhD students also receive the Master of Arts (M.A. degree) after successfully completing the qualifying examinations. To learn more about graduate study at USC, see what alumni have to say about the program and our placements .

We are particularly proud that our graduate students have recently (2016-18) been awarded fellowships and grants including: ACLS/Mellon Dissertation Completion Fellowship, AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship, American Sociological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program, Ford Foundation Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, Fulbright Commission Fellowship, Haynes Lindley Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, and the SSRC Mellon International Dissertation Research Fellowship. Read more about our graduate students’ recent publications, fellowships, and awards .

Core Requirements

A minimum of 60 graduate units is necessary for the Ph.D., among which the following 28 credits are required courses:

– SOCI 500 Sociology Proseminar: Approaches to Sociological Research – SOCI 510 Sociological Theory I – SOCI 511 Sociological Theory II – SOCI 520 Qualitative Research Methods – SOCI 521 Quantitative Methods and Statistics – SOCI 593 Practicum in Teaching the Liberal Arts – SOCI 680 Writing for Publication in Sociology

CHOOSE ONE:

– SOCI 620 Advanced Methods – Qualitative Research – SOCI 621 Advanced Methods – Quantitative Research

Areas of Specialization

Students are required to specialize in two areas and to complete at least one course in each of these areas. Standard Exam Areas in the department include:

– Culture – Demography – Economic Sociology & Organizations – Family – Gender – Globalization – Health & Medicine – Immigration – Labor & Occupations – Political Sociology – Race and Ethnicity – Social Stratification – Social Movements & Civic Engagement – Social Theory – Urban Sociology

Empirical Paper

Success in the field of sociology requires involvement in the conduct of empirical research. Relatively early, therefore, each student is required to complete an independent research project, which is supervised by two faculty members. If a master’s thesis or some other research project has been completed at another university, it may — subject to permission of the student’s guidance committee — be submitted in lieu of the empirical paper. Students are also required to make a public presentation of this or other independent work, either at a professional meeting or in some other academic forum.

5-Member Guidance Committee

The 5-Member Guidance Committee will conduct the Qualification Examination of each PhD student. Sociology uses two-person standing qualifying committees for each of our areas. The two standing qualifying review committees (4 members) form the skeleton of the 5-person guidance committee.

Qualifying Examinations

All students are required to complete written and oral qualifying exams on their two specialty fields in the spring semester of their third year of graduate study. The completion of the Empirical Paper is no longer a prerequisite for the Qualifying Exams.

Advancing to Candidacy

Students advance to Ph.D. candidacy upon the completion of their empirical paper and qualifying examination.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the final step in the acquisition of the Ph.D. degree. After advancement to candidacy, students are expected to submit a formal prospectus to their dissertation committee within six months.

Program Learning Objectives

Our graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• This is assessed through professional-level performance in required coursework as demonstrated by well-crafted seminar papers in core courses.
• This is assessed through professional-level performance in elective coursework and on qualifying exams.
• This is assessed through the empirical paper, dissertation, and research collaborations with faculty.
• This is assessed through the completion of the teaching practicum and TA-ships.
• This is assessed by the required presentation of the empirical paper and submission of the empirical paper for journal publication (after the required workshop in publishing), attendance at professional conferences (subsidized by the department), and attendance at department professionalization seminars, colloquium, and brown bags.