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Sociology PhD

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise as a department. We have been able to recruit superlative students year after year thanks to the efforts of the University, the faculty, and our current graduate students. 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.

Contact Info

[email protected]

410 Social Sciences Building #1980

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 4, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

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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.

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Sociology, PhD

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.

For more information: http://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/graduate_resources

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

A minimum of 16 course units are required. A minimum of 12 course units must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania.

 Three electives must be in Sociology.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

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Department of Sociology

LSU Sociology Doctoral Program

As a PhD granting department, we admit all students into our doctoral program and guide them through the milestones needed for successful, timely completion: MA Defense, Completing course work, General Defense, Dissertation Proposal Defense, and Final Doctoral Defense. The MA coursework typically takes about two years to complete and most of our students complete the remaining coursework required for the PhD by the end of their third year. All admitted students have seven years to complete their PhD, though most students complete the program in five to six years.

General Requirements and Transfers

Annual reports.

To help us guide our doctoral students, we strive to keep updated records of each student's scholarly accomplishments and activities, and progression through the PhD milestones, through annual reports submitted at the end of each academic year. Annual reports are also necessary to ensure that all graduate students maintain satisfactory academic standing. Annual reports are submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies and, after forming a committee, to chair of the doctoral committee.

Transfers from Other Institutions

Students who have completed graduate level courses at other institutions may be permitted to transfer credits toward course requirements at LSU. The maximum number of transfer credits depends upon each student’s situation. All incoming students must take all required core courses at LSU (SOCL 7121, 7131, 7201, 7203, and 7211). Students who have taken equivalent graduate level courses at other universities have an option to “test out” of core courses. Students interested in testing out of core courses should contact the Director of Graduate Studies. Transferred courses must be sufficiently distinct from courses taken at LSU (for example, a student should not transfer in a graduate seminar on Stratification and take the LSU stratification course, too). To request to transfer credits, students should provide course syllabi to their committee chair. The student’s committee will review the student’s request (and meet with the student, if necessary) and notify the Director of Graduate Studies of their decision in writing. The student will earn the LSU course equivalent number of credit hours for each approved course transfer.

MA Coursework

All PhD students must earn an MA at LSU by completing the required coursework and defending an empirical paper or thesis. The MA coursework requirements are based on the philosophy that the MA program should be broad in its orientation. Successful completion of the degree provides students with a background to conduct meaningful scholarly research, and to go on to complete a PhD in sociology. The minimum course requirements include 36 hours of graduate work. Core courses (classical theory, methods, and two statistics courses) should be completed in the first year. See details concerning credit-hours and the course sequence under Graduate Course Requirements. Students may be permitted to transfer some coursework at the graduate level from another institution.

In addition to completing required coursework, students must successfully write and orally defend before a faculty committee, a thesis or an empirical research paper. This process typically begins with students forming an MA committee by the end of the first year of graduate study. The committee must be composed of a minimum of three graduate faculty members. If it is decided appropriate by the committee chair and approved by the departmental chair or Director of Graduate Studies, one graduate faculty member from another department may serve on an MA committee. At least one of the committee members must be a full member of the graduate faculty (i.e., rank of Associate or Full Professor). If the student has a minor, a representative from the minor department must also be on the committee.

Before the final semester (generally the spring semester of the second year), and in consultation with the MA committee chair, each student must decide whether to write an empirical research paper or an MA thesis. Most students choose the empirical paper option (also referred to as the non-thesis option) which is designed to introduce students to scholarly writing in a form that is consistent with publishing papers in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal in sociology. As empirical research papers are not considered theses, they are not subject to the formatting requirements for all theses and dissertations which are published in a national database. Each student’s committee chair will provide more information about the specific requirements of an empirical research paper, which, at the discretion of the committee chair may build upon research from a previous master's program at another institution and must meet any added requirements of the committee. Those choosing the empirical research paper option may enroll in SOCL 8900 (Research in Sociology) while writing their paper, but this is not a requirement.

The MA thesis option is also available to all our students, and it is sometimes required for international students as a condition of their funding. Students pursuing the thesis option must write an original thesis at LSU. The format of the thesis may be similar to that of the empirical paper, or it may be more expansive and divided into sections or chapters, depending on the guidance of each student’s committee chair and the requirements of the LSU Graduate School for publishing in the national database of theses and dissertations. Students who elect to write an MA thesis must complete six hours of SOCL 8000 (MA Thesis Research), supervised by the MA committee chair. The MA committee chair must agree to the content of the thesis before the student is permitted to enroll in the course. Students who elect to write an empirical research paper should not enroll in SOCL 8000, as this course is strictly for the thesis option.

For both the thesis option and the empirical research paper (non-thesis) options, an oral Master’s Defense is required in accordance with normal procedures of the Graduate School. To schedule a Master’s Defense, the student must submit the following two documents to the Graduate School:

• Request for Master's Defense and Degree Audit
• Application for Degree (online form)

Students should always download paperwork from the Graduate School, to ensure they use the most recent version. Most forms include this instruction:  Email submission to [email protected]. To avoid errors, we ask each MA candidate to follow the following procedure:

• Download and complete both forms, following the directions given on the Graduate School website and on the forms themselves,
• Email the Request for Master's Defense and Degree Audit form to the Director of Graduate Studies to check. Email the confirmation of receipt after submitting the online Application for Degree form to the Director of Graduate Studies to keep with our graduate student records.
• Make any corrections and collect signatures from the committee members, and
• Submit the forms to the Administrative Coordinator (Departmental staff person), who will get the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and make a copy for your file.  The Administrative Coordinator will then submit the forms to the Graduate School via email to [email protected], and copy the student and DGS in the email. After receiving the submissions, the Graduate School will then send the required examination report forms to the Administrative Coordinator in advance of the defense date.

Consulting with the DGS before submitting the forms is critical. MA forms must be submitted by the deadline indicated on the Graduate School Calendar, (typically, late January for Spring semester; early September for Fall semester; or mid June for Summer term). Consult the Graduate School Calendar to determine the latest possible date to file in order to graduate in a particular semester. In addition, both MA forms must be submitted three weeks prior to the date of the exam (students planning to defend early in a semester must be aware of the 3-week stipulation). The empirical paper or thesis must be submitted to the student's committee at least two weeks prior to the MA Defense. 

On completion of the MA Exam, the MA committee will assign one of four grades to be filed with the Graduate School in a timely manner:

• Pass Plus: The candidate successfully completed and defended the thesis or empirical paper, and is recommended for automatic continuation with the PhD program
• Terminal Pass: The candidate has successfully completed and defended the thesis or empirical paper, but did not demonstrate to the committee adequate academic and professional aptitudes to continue in the PhD program. The student will earn an MA degree, but they will also be terminated from the program at the end of the semester in which the defense is taken. The committee must provide feedback to the student on why the candidate failed to demonstrate adequate ability
• Retake:  The candidate has not successfully completed or defended the thesis or empirical paper and that additional analysis and/or writing is required. The committee may also require a second oral defense.  The committee will provide specific feedback on the remaining requirements. Only one Retake is allowed; if a retake is assigned and a second defense is scheduled, the only grades that can be reported for the second defense are Pass Plus, Terminal Pass, or Fail.
• Fail:  The candidate has not successfully completed or defended the thesis or empirical paper. The student will be terminated from the program at the end of the semester in which the defense is taken. The committee must provide feedback to the student on why the defense was failed.

PhD Coursework

The PhD program in sociology is designed to prepare the student for a career that combines both research and teaching in one or more areas of the discipline. A broad general knowledge of sociological theory and research methods is required of all students. In addition, students should develop a strong specialty area and establish a research program in that area.

It is expected that students learn the skills necessary to produce original research. Typically, this is done by developing a close working relationship with one or more faculty members and co-authoring research papers with them. In this way, the student begins as an apprentice and finishes with a substantial research record. The goals of this apprenticeship include presenting papers at professional meetings, publishing papers in professional journals, and participating in the preparation of grant proposals for research funding.

The requirements in the right column are the milestones in terms of which student progress is evaluated. Starting in the fourth year the student is expected to gain experience teaching at the university level.

Doctoral General Defense

Upon completing an MA (or receiving an exemption), each student must take and pass a general doctoral defense. The objective of the general defense is to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the literature in a student’s declared areas of expertise. Students are eligible to schedule their general defense during the semester in which they are completing their final course requirements (not including dissertation credits, SOCL 9000) or at a later date. The General Exam is a committee-driven process. Subject matter and exam structure are determined between students and their chair/committee members, within the parameters outlined below.

Preparing for the general defense starts with selecting a dissertation chair and committee. Though not a requirement, it is common for dissertation committee members to be the same as the MA committee members. The student's PhD Committee is composed of a minimum of three graduate faculty members and the Dean's Representative (designated by the Graduate School). The student may choose one graduate faculty member from another department, if it is decided appropriate by the committee chair and approved by the departmental chair or Director of Graduate Studies. For a PhD committee, at least two of the three committee members (other than the Dean's Representative) have to be a full members of the graduate faculty (usually, associate and full professors have full graduate faculty member status). If the student declares an official minor, a faculty member in the minor field must be included in the committee (in addition to the minimum of two sociology faculty members).

Together with the committee chair and committee members, each student develops and finalizes a reading list. Because the general exam enables PhD students to gain expertise in broad areas of sociology, the reading list should be much broader in coverage than references for their dissertation. In consultation with their committee, the student selects two or more substantive areas of sociological research for the exam, such as “Work” and “Family” or “Deviance” and “Mental Health.” ” The American Sociological Association’s list of current sections can be helpful in choosing substantive areas but is not an exhaustive list of the options available.

The General Defense is based on this reading list and includes a written component and an oral defense. In consultation with their committee, the student may select one of two formats for the general exam’s writing component, as outlined below: 1) a written examination OR 2) a review paper. Each option requires an oral defense, typically administered two weeks after the written exam is completed or review paper is submitted to the committee for assessment. Click here for sample general exam questions.

Written Examination

For written examinations, students begin by selecting a target date for the exam and defense. With their chair and committee members, students create a reading list (see above) that organizes their exam preparation. After their reading list is finalized and approved, students should take approximately 3-5 months to study and prepare for the written exam and oral defense. The written exam can be: (a) open- or closed-book and administered on campus, taking no more than eight hours on a given day (held during one day or two consecutive days) or (b) open-book and take-home, taking multiple days (maximum of one week). Committee members will consider the difficulty of each procedure when assessing performance.

Review Paper

With the approval of their chair and committee, a student can replace the written examination with a review paper. This paper is a critical review of the literature in the substantive areas of sociology their reading list covers. Once the reading list is approved by the committee, it operates as a working bibliography for the review paper. It is likely that additional sources will be discovered in the course of writing and that those sources will be added to the list and cited in the paper. In terms of content, the paper should present and analyze the development of concepts, theory, methodology, and substantive issues in the selected substantive areas. It should both analyze and synthesize the literature(s) covered. The concluding section of the paper should: a) summarize major points made in the paper; b) provide evidence of the author’s unique perspective on the areas and their projections of the direction(s) new research in the areas might proceed. Students may begin writing once their outline has been approved by their committee. Students should take approximately 3-5 months from the time their initial reading list/outline is approved by their committee to complete the review paper and oral defense.

After a reading list is finalized, the candidate should consult with the committee chair to select a date, time, and location (building and room number) for the oral defense.  Every student must consult the Director of Graduate Studies before submitting paperwork for the General Exam.

To avoid errors, we ask each candidate to follow the following procedure:

• Download and complete the Request for Doctoral General Defense and Degree Audit form from the Graduate School, following the directions given on the Graduate School website and on the form itself.
• Email copies of the completed forms to the Director of Graduate Studies to check.
• Make any corrections and collect signatures from the committee members.
• Submit the completed forms, signed by all committee members, to the Administrative Coordinator (Departmental staff person), who will get the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies, make a copy for the student’s file, and submit the forms to the Graduate School. The Graduate School will then send the required examination results forms to the Administrative Coordinator in advance of the defense date.

The form must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the General Exam’s oral defense. After the form is submitted, the Graduate School will choose a Dean’s Representative from another department and will notify the committee chair so they can provide that person a copy of the written exam or review paper prior to the oral defense. If a committee member cannot be physically present and is going to participate remotely, students should review the Remote Graduate Committee Participation guidelines and, if necessary, complete the required form. 

Before the oral exam, the candidate should get the exam report form from the Administrative Coordinator and give it to the committee chair.  At the discretion of the committee chair, the oral defense may start with the student delivering a short discussion of their exam answers or review paper. The bulk of the oral defense involves the student answering questions about their exam answers or review paper. Provided that the committee tells them beforehand, students may be asked about questions on the exam that they chose not to answer or readings from the list that they did not include in their paper. Students should meet with their committee chair to clarify oral exam expectations. Once the oral defense is completed, the committee assigns a pass/retake grade on the exam report form. If a retake is assigned, the committee will provide specific feedback as to why the student did not pass. The committee will decide how long the student has to retake the general exam.  If a student receives a retake for the review paper option, the committee may direct the student to take the written exam, as described above, for the second attempt. After a second attempt, the committee may only assign pass/fail grades. If a fail is given, the committee will provide specific reasons for why the student did not pass. 

After graduate students pass the General Examination, they are “advanced to candidacy” and begin work toward their dissertation and final examination.

Dissertation Proposal Defense

Before a PhD candidate begins the dissertation research, approval of a proposal by the dissertation committee is required. The candidate works with their committee chair’s input to draft their proposal. After the committee chair’s approval, the student should submit the dissertation proposal to each of the committee members at least two weeks prior to a scheduled meeting with the committee. At the proposal defense, members of the committee may approve the proposal, suggest changes in the proposal, or reject the proposal. The proposal defense is strictly a departmental matter, and the Graduate School is not notified of the defense date or its outcome. Thus, the attendance of Dean’s Representative at the proposal defense is optional, although it is recommended to ask if they are interested in participating as a courtesy. After the committee has approved the proposal, one copy of the approval sheet signed by all committee members must be placed in the candidate's file. The proposal defense must be done at least one semester before the final oral exam on the dissertation. Any major changes in the research design must be approved by all committee members.

The proposal should generally include the following items:

• Approval sheet and title page
• Subject of the dissertation
• Significance
• Preliminary review of the literature
• Conceptual statement of the problem or clear explanation of the research questions.
• Research procedure and methodology
• Timetable, including when data are to be collected, when analysis and writing will be done, and target date for completion
• General bibliography (typically in ASA Style)

Final Doctoral Defense

PhD candidates typically work very closely with their committee chair while completing dissertation research and writing. Candidates should consult with their committee chair to determine when they will be ready for their final dissertation defense. The Graduate School considers the written dissertation and the final (oral) dissertation defense as integrative; it is not possible to pass one and fail the other.

To schedule the Final Dissertation Defense, the Graduate School requires all candidates to submit the following two forms:

• Application for Doctoral Degree (online form)
• Request for Final Doctoral Defense

Candidates should always download the most up-to-date version of these forms from the Graduate School.

To avoid errors, we ask each PhD candidate to follow the following procedure:

• Complete both forms, following the directions given from the Graduate School and on the forms themselves,
• Email the Request for Final Doctoral Defense form to the Director of Graduate Studies to check. Email the confirmation of receipt after submitting the online Application for Degree form to the Director of Graduate Studies to keep with our graduate student records.
• Submit the forms to the Administrative Coordinator (Departmental staff person), who will get the signature of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), make a copy for your file, and submit the forms to the Graduate School. The Graduate School will then send the required examination results forms to the Administrative Coordinator in advance of the defense date.

The deadlines for submitting forms are listed on the Graduate School’s Calendar (typically, late January for Spring semester; early September for Fall semester; and mid-June for Summer term). In addition, both forms must be submitted at least three weeks before the date of the final dissertation defense. Candidates must distribute their dissertation manuscript to all committee members (including the Dean's Representative) at least two weeks prior to the final examination. This committee should be composed of the same faculty members as for the General Examination and who approved the dissertation proposal, though this rule recognizes exceptions.

The final doctoral examination is an oral defense. At the dissertation defense, the candidate should get the Administrative Coordinator to prepare the Exam Results Form and Doctoral Examination and Dissertation Report from the Administrative Coordinator and give both forms to the committee chair. The committee may render one of three decisions regarding the outcome of the exam:

• Pass: The candidate has successfully defended the dissertation and is recommended for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology.
• Fail: The candidate has not successfully completed or defended the dissertation. The student will be terminated from the program at the end of the semester in which the defense is taken. The committee must provide feedback to the student on why the defense was failed.
• Retake: The candidate has not successfully completed or defended the dissertation. Additional work, which includes a second oral defense, is required. The committee must provide specific feedback on the remaining requirements. The final grade of Pass or Fail must be filed with the Graduate School by the end of the next regular semester.

After the oral defense, the committee chair and Administrative Coordinator submit the Exam Report to the Graduate School. For the degree to be awarded at the end of the semester, candidates must submit their approved dissertation manuscript to the Graduate School by the Thesis and Dissertation Uploading Deadline (typically, late October for Fall semester; mid-March for Spring semester; and late June for Summer term). Consult the Graduate School Calendar for the submission deadlines.

The graduate school has more detailed information on final steps and requirements for earning a PhD, including formatting requirements for dissertations and, for those planning to walk, arranging for the cap, gown, and hood needed at the commencement ceremony.

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.

Sociology Graduate Program

The graduate program provides broad advanced level training for students who intend to enter a Ph.D. program, prepare for undergraduate or community college teaching, or pursue a nonacademic professional career for which a Master of Arts degree in sociology is appropriate and useful. Decisions on the program of study, specific courses, and thesis topics are made through consultation with the graduate advisor and other faculty members based on the individual student's background, interests, and objectives. With departmental approval, requirements may be amended for students with exceptional qualifications, or additional courses may be required or recommended for applicants with inadequate undergraduate preparation.

If you have any questions about the program or how to apply after reading this webpage, please contact Dr. Patricia Maloney , Sociology Graduate Program Director.

Coursework Requirements

Students may select the thesis option or nonthesis option. The thesis option is strongly recommended for students who plan to continue their graduate studies in a doctoral program. The nonthesis option is designed as a terminal M.A. program for students interested in career advancement, practical applications of sociological knowledge and research methods, or intellectual enrichment. Both options require 36 credit hours of coursework, including courses in the core areas of sociological theory and research methods.

Elective courses are available in various substantive areas such as family, criminology and deviance, social psychology, social change, minority relations, demography, urban problems, medical sociology and gerontology. (See list of courses and sample timeline.) Six hours may be taken as a minor outside the department, subject to graduate committee approval. A grade of B or better is required for graduate credit.

Graduate students must take i) Classical Theory (Soc 5308), ii) Contemporary Theory (Soc 5303), iii) Research Methods (Soc 5394), and iv) Statistics (Soc 5334) within their first two long semesters of beginning the master's program.

A comprehensive examination designed to reflect the student's specific areas of study is scheduled during the final semester.Students who attended and presented their work at two professional conferences are not required to take the comprehensive examination.

Teaching Assistantships

Opportunities are also available on a competitive basis for a Teaching Assistantship in the Department. The applications are evaluated by the Sociology Graduate Committee.

List of Graduate Courses in Sociology

• 5101. Professional Socialization (1). Practical issues in sociological research, scholarship, and teaching. Required of first-semester graduate students and teaching assistants through their appointment period. Pass-fail grading.
• 5303. Seminar in Contemporary Sociological Theory (3:3:0). Study of contemporary approaches to society, including conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interaction, and ethnomethodology.
• 5308. Seminar in the Origins of Social Theory (3:3:0). Development of sociological theory in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Topics may vary, but emphasis usually will be on the work of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.
• 5311. Seminar in Criminology (3:3:0). Critical review of theory and research on selected topics in criminology.
• 5312. Seminar in Urban Education Problems (3:3:0). Extensive analysis of the process and consequences of urbanization and education, with emphasis upon causation and critiques of proposed solutions.
• 5313. Seminar in Minority Relations (3:3:0). American and world patterns of interethnic relations are covered with emphasis on recent and current trends.
• 5315. Seminar in Social Change (3:3:0). Linear and cyclical theories; analysis of the idea of progress, stage theories, dialectical materialism, and the lag hypothesis.
• 5316. Seminar in Social Gerontology (3:3:0). Theory and research on aging, covering demographic, sociocultural, economic, individual, and societal factors. Interdisciplinary aspects are stressed.
• 5320. Social Psychology: Symbolic Interactionism (3:3:0). Central ideas of social psychology are analyzed and integrated in a contemporary model of symbolic interactionism, with focus on affect.
• 5325. Seminar in Deviant Behavior (3:3:0). Critical review of current theory and research in deviance.
• 5327. Seminar in Demography (3:3:0). Theory and skills of population analysis including use of census data in sociological and social science research.
• 5329. Social Inequality (3:3:0). Overview of theories and trends in social inequality in the U.S. and in international context.
• 5331. Field Research (3). Individual research project off campus, covering entire term or longer. Research plans must be approved in advance by the student's major advisor. May be repeated for credit with permission.
• 5332. The Research Organization (3:3:0). Participation in campus-based organized research project. Required at least once of research assistants; open to other students.
• 5333. Qualitative Methods in Sociology (3:3:0). A focus on learning the methods and mindset behind qualitative research in social science, particularly interview, ethnographic, focus group, and content analysis skills.
• 5334. Quantitative Methods in Sociology (3:3:0). Decision making skills (from test selection to inferences from data) for quantitative analysis in sociology.
• 5335. Seminar in Family Violence (3:3:0). Advanced examination of definitions, prevalence, and theories of family violence. Focuses on impact of variation in definitions of family violence and societal responses to family violence.
• 5336. Seminar in Family Change (3:3:0). Analysis of how the family institution has changed, in relation to other institutions and society in general. Family is treated as both a dependent and independent variable.
• 5381. Seminar in Medical Sociology (3:3:0). Theory and research on conceptions of health, illness, and medical care from the sociological perspective.
• 5384. Seminar in the Sociology of Religion (3:3:0). Examination of the religious institution focusing on its sociological meaning, organizations, presence as a force in western society, and relationship to other social institutions. 
• 5394. Seminar in Sociological Research Methods (3:3:0). An examination of the research process including problem formation, case selection, data collection, and data organization.
• 6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).
• 7000. Research (V1-12).

Details About the Graduate Program in Sociology

Thesis option.

• Professional Socialization: 5101 (1 hour each semester; in addition to the 36 required hours specified below)
• Sociological Theory: SOC 5303 (3 hours) and SOC 5308 (3 hours)
• Sociological Research Methods: SOC 5334 (3 hours) and SOC 5394 (3 hours)
• Elective Courses (18 hours)
• SOC 6000: Master's Thesis (6 hours)

The Master's Thesis is supervised by the student's major professor and the thesis committee. The thesis committee must include at least one other sociology faculty member, chosen in consultation with the major professor. The thesis committee may also include a faculty member from another program with the approval of the major professor. Students are advised to consult with the graduate program director in selecting a major professor and thesis committee members. Students must pass a publically announced defense of the thesis before it is submitted to the Graduate School. The date for the thesis defense should be early enough for required revisions (if any) to be made prior to the Graduate School deadline for submission. The thesis must conform to all Graduate School requirements.

Non-Thesis Option

• Professional Socialization: 5101 (1 hour; in addition to the 36 required hours specified below)
• Sociological Theory: SOC 5303 (3 hours) or SOC 5308 (3 hours)
• Sociological Research Methods: SOC 5334 (3 hours) or SOC 5394 (3 hours)
• Electives (27 hours; 2nd course in theory or methods may be included as elective)
• Field Research: SOC 5331 (3 hours)

The student will enroll in Sociology 5331 (Field Research), which will be directed by the student's non-thesis paper committee chair. The major professor for the non-thesis paper should be chosen in consultation with the graduate program director.

Sample Timeline for Graduate Students

Semester 1, fall (10 hours).

• Professional Socialization (SOC 5101)
• Seminar in the Origins of Social Theory (Soc 5308)
• Quantitative Methods in Sociology (SOC 5334)
• Elective (3 hours)

Semester 2, Spring (9 Hours)

• Seminar in Contemporary Sociological Theory (Soc 5303)
• Seminar in Sociological Research Methods (SOC 5394)

Semester 3, Fall (9 Hours)

• Master's Thesis (SOC 6000, 3 hours)

Semester 4, Spring (9 Hours)

Comprehensive examination.

The comprehensive exam will include questions that relate to the student's chosen specialty area and may include applications of theory and methods. The examination committee is comprised of two faculty members, with one member chosen by the student and the second selected by the graduate director on behalf of the Graduate Committee. A third reader may be appointed in the event that the two examiners disagree on their evaluation. The length and time limits for the exam are set by the examining committee.

In keeping with the recommendations of the Graduate School, the Graduate Committee strongly suggests that the exam be written during each student's final semester of study. It may be taken one semester earlier with the approval of the Graduate Committee.

Students who do not satisfactorily complete the exam the first time may, with the approval of the Graduate Committee, re-take it after a waiting period of three months. A third attempt is not permitted by the Graduate School.

For more information, please download the Graduate Student Handbook .

Teaching Assistantships and Financial Aid

The Department provides funding for a limited number of Teaching Assistants (TAs). Most of these are usually available in the fall semester. In addition, Research Assistantships are sometimes available with faculty members in the department or within one of the University's institutes or research centers. These awards are available on a competitive basis and are based on the Sociology Graduate Committee's evaluation of the applicant's overall academic record and other relevant information provided as part of the application process.

The Graduate School also awards various types of scholarships. In addition, various employment opportunities are sometimes available within the University.

New or returning students may apply for a departmental Teaching Assistantship by contacting the Sociology Graduate Program Director:

Dr. Patricia Maloney , Ph.D., Sociology Graduate Program Director Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work Texas Tech University Box 41012 Lubbock, Texas 79409-1012

Application Guidelines

Applications are submitted online to the Graduate School [ http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/ ] of Texas Tech University and must include:

• Payment of the application fee, and
• Official transcripts from every university you have attended.
• Letter of Intent/ Statement of Purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Academic writing sample (preferably 10-15 pages in length)

The Department adheres to the Graduate School policy of evaluating applicants in terms of holistic admissions criteria. The minimum expected grade point average (GPA) for admission is 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale). Scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE are also considered if provided. In addition to the GPA and GRE, applicants will also be evaluated in terms of additional criteria as reflected in the materials listed above. 

The Graduate School no longer requires GRE scores as part of the application process. However, if you have taken the GRE (or plan to do so) and want the results to be considered, you can report them to the Graduate School.

Your application for admission will not be evaluated until all of the materials listed above have been received. Deadlines for applications to be completed are as follows:

• Fall admission: March 1st
• Spring admission: November 1st

Early applications are encouraged, especially if you wish to be considered for a Teaching Assistantship.

Follow this link to check your application status: http://www.raiderlink.ttu.edu . Select the "Applications" tab to check the status of your application.

Please contact the Sociology Graduate Director, Dr. Patricia Maloney , if you have any questions about the application process or would like to receive additional information regarding the program.

Contact TTU

• Department of Sociology >
• Graduate >

PhD in Sociology

Submit your application to the Department of Sociology today!

• 4/1/19 Info for Applicants

Already enrolled in UB? Get details about graduate forms and resources for current students.

• 3/14/24 Info for Current Students

The PhD in Sociology  offers a unique combination of academic rigor and faculty mentoring that prepares students to become first-rate researchers and educators.

Why Choose UB Sociology?

In the UB Department of Sociology PhD program, students: 

• Collaborate and have mentorships with award-winning and internationally-recognized faculty in research and teaching from day one.
• Gain real-world skills from community partners in research specializations that prepare you for successful and impactful careers after graduation.
• Receive full funding for five years and a fellowship to focus on dissertation research.
• Thrive in either academic or nonacademic careers. Nearly half of our graduates become tenure-track faculty. Others enjoy research careers in nonprofits, government or research centers.

Degree Requirements

Coursework PhD students must earn 72 credit hours (including up to 12 hours of thesis guidance).

Unless taken during the master’s program in the Department of Sociology at UB, PhD coursework must include the required core courses in sociology:

• Two courses in statistics (SOC 504 and SOC 607)
• Two courses in methods (SOC 606 and one advanced methods course of your choosing)
• Two courses in theory (SOC 567 and 568)

Qualifying Exams and Dissertation For completion of the PhD degree, students must pass two qualifying exams in departmental areas of specialization. They must also research, write and successfully defend a dissertation that demonstrates independent scholarship and makes a contribution to the discipline. PhD students are expected to defend a dissertation prospectus that outlines their planned research and to initiate work on a dissertation topic under the guidance of their dissertation director and committee, usually during the third or fourth year in the program.

Graduate Handbook Further information about the PhD degree, including policies, requirements, qualifying exams, the dissertation and coursework, can be found in the  Graduate Handbook .

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• Family and Life Course
• Health and Illness
• Urban, Community, and the Environment
• Work, Labor, and Political Economy
• UB Graduate School
• 4/10/24 Meet Our Faculty
• Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships, Awards
• Graduate Handbook

We encourage prospective students to complete an  information request form  to learn more about pursuing graduate work in the Department of Sociology. Current students may contact their faculty advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies with questions.

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MPhil/PhD Sociology

• Graduate research
• Department of Sociology
• Application code L3ZS
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

The MPhil/PhD Sociology programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of research that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to sociology. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The Department of Sociology was the first to be created in Britain and has played a key role in establishing and developing the discipline nationally and internationally. Recent UK research evaluations (through the Research Evaluation Framework) have confirmed our position as one of the leading Departments in the UK. We are committed to empirically rich, conceptually sophisticated, research and scholarship addressing topics of social and political urgency. While building upon the traditions of the discipline we play a key role in developing new intellectual areas, and addressing the social problems and ethical dilemmas that face a globalised society.

LSE Sociology embraces a theoretically and methodologically diverse range of approaches. There are five research areas which constitute our strategic priorities and reflect overall a balance between "traditional" sociology and "innovation": economic sociology; politics and human rights; social inequalities; social studies of knowledge, culture and technology; and urban sociology. Our teaching is informed by our commitments and by our active research in these areas. LSE Sociology will provide a learning environment in which you are encouraged to think critically and independently.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd sociology.

Merit (65+) in a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline and a 2:1 degree or equivalent in sociology or another social science.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

Due to the large volume of applications, only applicants who select Sociology as their first choice will be considered. Regrettably, we cannot consider applications that list it as a second choice.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying. You may wish to discuss your suitability with a potential supervisor in the Department before applying – though this is not required.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - research proposal - sample of written work. See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 , which is also the funding deadline. Please ensure that your application, along with all supporting documents and references, is submitted by this date. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Sociology

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status​

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

All applicants who are offered places are automatically considered for funding and are nominated by the Department for School-administered studentships. Competition for funding is very intense and we cannot provide funding to all offer-holders. Accordingly, all applicants are required to explore all potential sources of funding at all stages in their application, including before and during LSE’s funding consideration process.

If you have already secured funding from an external body, or if you secure external funding after your application is submitted, please notify [email protected] as soon as possible.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body, and we take this international profile seriously in our work.

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In your first year, you can choose to study a range of methods and specialist courses from a variety of institutes and departments at LSE. You must attend the first year research class for MPhil students SO 500 Aims and Methods. You may also be required or advised by your supervisor to take methods courses and specialist taught courses relevant to your topic. 

After the first year, you will spend more time on independent study under the guidance of your supervisors. This will involve the collection, organisation, analysis and writing up of data and ideas. You will also attend regular workshops and seminars related to your interests including a research class for MPhil and PhD students. You will be expected to make an active contribution to these by presenting papers and/or taking part in general discussions.

In addition to progressing with your research, you will be expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. 

Compulsory (examined)

Aims and Methods Research Class Aims to provide students with a conceptual and practical framework within which to think through planning their research. You may also be required or advised by your supervisor to take methods courses and specialist taught courses relevant to your topic. For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant  School Calendar page .

Second year

Compulsory (not examined)

Data Analysis Workshop Provides a forum for MPhil/PhD students to gain data analytics skills by sharing their own PhD data with other students. Each student will present their data and have it analysed by the group. Students will gain confidence in analysing their own data by also analysing other students’ data in a group setting.

Third and Fourth years

Optional (not examined)

Becoming a Professional Sociologist  This course provides a workshop environment to discuss key aspects of developing a career as a sociologist. Students will gain a practical understanding of how to pursue the different elements of a sociological career in order to be in a good position in the job market.  

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page .   

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar ,  or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information  page.

Supervision, progression, and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned a lead supervisor and a second supervisor/adviser or two co-supervisors who are specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Supervisors guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

The time taken to complete any research degree depends on your progress and individual needs and you must remain registered with the School until your thesis has been submitted.

You will register for the MPhil in the first instance. In week 6 of Autumn Term in your second year, you will submit a 10,000-word research proposal for assessment, outlining the aims and methods of your thesis and providing preliminary data collection and analysis. The paper will be read by two members of the Sociology Department, who will conduct the viva voce. Successful completion of this assessment means that you upgrade from MPhil registration to registration as a PhD candidate.

By week 6 of Winter Term in your third year, you will submit two draft chapters, a chapter outline for the thesis, and a schedule for completing the thesis. The submission will be read by two members of the Sociology Department, who will conduct the viva voce. Successful completion of this assessment means that you will be re-registered onto the programme into the fourth and final year.

Your final award will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

More about programme requirements

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Student stories

Kristina j. kolbe.

MPhil/PhD Sociology The Netherlands

Completing my PhD at LSE Sociology has been a truly inspiring and engaging experience. The PhD not only allowed me to dive into and develop my sociological interests and political passions, but it also opened up the possibility for me to think about 'higher education' as a profession. From learning how to actually conduct research to shaping my own teaching pedagogy, I have benefitted a lot from the course offer at the department and at the LSE more widely. I learnt so much from the faculty at the department, the students I had the pleasure of teaching and my fellow PhDs who, in many occasions, have not only become wonderful colleagues but dear friends. While certainly also being a very challenging process, the overall PhD trajectory at LSE Sociology helped me develop my sociological practice and made it thinkable and feasible for me to pursue an academic career.

Javier Trevino-Rangel

MPhil/PhD Sociology Durango, Mexico

I chose the programme at LSE because its Department of Sociology has played a key role in pioneering, establishing and developing the study of social deviance and social control. Having the opportunity to carry out research with the support of Professors Stanley Cohen, Nikolas Rose or Claire Moon has been invaluable due to their experience in dealing with the sociology of deviance, and the study of political or moral discourses to police them.

As I progress, I am really looking forward to developing my skills and understanding in sociology, and to eventually acquiring professional capacities to efficiently pursue a career in this realm. I intend to use the experience of studying at LSE to expand my research and work so it can influence policies, increase public awareness, and make original contributions to knowledge in different subjects within these fields.

Emma Taylor

I could not have asked for a better department within which to undertake my PhD. I received unwavering support from my supervisor, Professor Mike Savage, throughout the process and was made to feel very much a part of the department despite interrupting my studies twice due to maternity leave.

The doctoral training programme offered is broad and wide-ranging whilst at the same time tailored to the specific needs of students. There are also plenty of opportunities to acquire valuable teaching experience on one or more of the innovative course offered at undergraduate as well as masters level. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of LSE Sociology and I hope to stay in touch with the department as I move on with my academic career.

Preliminary reading

P Dunleavy  Authoring a PhD: how to plan, draft, write and finish a doctoral dissertation or thesis  (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003)

We recommend you read around your topic and articles in leading sociology journals such as British Journal of Sociology, American Journal of Sociology, Theory and Society, Sociological Review , and Sociology.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Sociology

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £28,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Health and Social Care  
• NGOs and Charities        
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Our graduates have also gone on to work in the public sector and government as well as for international agencies.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd social policy.

Code(s) L4ZA

MPhil/PhD International Relations

Code(s) M1ZR

MRes/PhD Political Science

Code(s) M1ZN

MPhil/PhD Gender

Code(s) Y2ZG

MPhil/PhD Psychological and Behavioural Science

Code(s) L7ZP

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Sociology JD/PhD 

Stanford Law School and the Department of Sociology share more than a common interest in sociolegal scholarship: Both are ranked among the top academic departments in their respective fields. The high quality of both institutions distinguishes Stanford's JD/PhD program from those offered by other universities. Stanford is also the only university where a commitment to fostering sociolegal scholarship has been translated into a truly joint JD/PhD program.

Requirements

Upon admission, students may begin study in either the law school or the department of sociology. Students must complete their first full year of graduate study in one program and their second full year in the other. Thereafter, students may divide their time between programs to suit their individual course of research and graduate training. Students must satisfy the requirements for both the JD and the PhD degrees. Up to 54 quarter units of approved coursework may be counted towards both degrees, but no more than 31 quarter units of courses that originate outside the Law school may count towards the Law degree. The Law degree may be conferred upon completion of applicable law school requirements; it is not necessary to have both degrees conferred simultaneously. Students participating in the joint degree program are not eligible to transfer and receive credit for a master's or another degree towards the Ph.D. Students must complete the equivalent of 183 quarter units to complete both degrees. These provisions dramatically reduce requirements, increase flexibility, and make Stanford's a true joint degree program.

Additional Requirements

In addition to coursework, Students must complete additional requirements for each program.  Complete Sociology PhD requirements and include at least three quarters of Teaching Assistantship, three-quarters of Research Assistantship, and successful completion of a doctoral dissertation.  For additional requirements for the JD degree, see the  Stanford Law Schoo l website.

Students who are accepted into the JD/PhD Program in Law and Sociology will typically pay for only two semesters of law school tuition – a savings of approximately $50,000 (compared, for example, to programs at other top-ranked law schools that require students to pay for five semesters of law school tuition), and will receive nearly a full year of credit toward the law degree from approved sociology coursework. Through a combination of fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships; the Department of Sociology currently provides full tuition, stipends, and funds to support research for six academic years of graduate-level study in sociology to each student admitted to the PhD program. Thus, students admitted to the joint program will generally pay no tuition beyond the first year of law school, and will receive a stipend for six additional years of study in the law school and the sociology department.

Sociology Ph.D. Program