sociology of education phd online

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Education, culture, and society, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, interdisciplinary doctoral research on the social and cultural dimensions of education ..

The Ph.D. in Education, Culture, and Society provides a rigorous theoretical and methodological framework for the study of education, focusing on social, cultural, political, and normative dimensions. Following a rich academic curriculum centered in social theory and qualitative research methods, the program invites students to interrogate and contribute to scholarship on the social and cultural contexts of learning, both inside and outside of schools.

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

In the Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D. program, students become part of a professional academic community—through their research apprenticeship, formal coursework, informal seminars, cross-cohort experiences, and research group participation.

Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 courses

Research apprenticeship 20 hours per week, working on active faculty research project

Culminating experience Dissertation

Transfer courses accepted Up to six courses with faculty approval

The Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D. program explores educational processes, in and out of schools, focusing on their social, cultural, political, and normative dimensions. Research and teaching in this program interrogates tacit presuppositions about human nature and society that lie behind both popular and academic understandings of education, hoping to illuminate educational problems and prospects in more productive ways.

Education, Culture, and Society provides various tools to facilitate such interrogation: strong grounding in social theories that conceptualize the human world; study of theories and methods from such academic disciplines as anthropology, history, philosophy, political economics, and sociology; exposure to ways of life practiced in other parts of the world and to the rapid change brought by the increased movement of people and ideas in the contemporary world; and practice with ethnography and other methods that allow researchers to discover others’ categories and practices instead of imposing their own. 

The doctoral program in Education, Culture, and Society not only provides a powerful theoretical and methodological framework for the study of education, but also helps students develop a foundation upon which new models of education can be built. Following a rich academic curriculum centered on social theory and qualitative research methods, the program invites students to interrogate and contribute to the scholarship on the social and cultural contexts of learning, both inside and outside of schools.

The Ph.D. program includes formal courses, mentored research, and informal seminars. Students must complete 16 courses and participate in a mentored research apprenticeship. To complete the course of study, students take a set of written examinations in their area of specialization and complete a dissertation on a problem in education.

Most students supplement their educational studies with significant coursework in a discipline of their choosing, including anthropology, sociology, history, urban studies, philosophy, or linguistics. It is possible to pursue a joint Ph.D. degree in Education and Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Africana Studies, or History.

For information on courses and requirements, visit the  Education, Culture, and Society Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

Sample Courses

Co re and foundations courses.

• Doctoral Proseminar on Education Research (required)

Introductory Methods Courses

Methods courses prepare students in both the practical and theoretical implications of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, and presenting data on the human condition broadly—and education/learning in particular. Options include courses such as:

• Introductory Statistics for Educational Research (housed in the Division of Quantitative Methods)
• Qualitative Modes of Inquiry (Doctoral Level)

Advanced Methods Courses

Advanced courses build on introductory ones. Options include courses such as:

• Craft of Ethnography
• Advanced Qualitative and Case Study Research
• Methods of Discourse Analysis
• Ethnographic Research Methods

Sample Social Theory Courses

Theory courses are centrally concerned with preparing students to draw on, understand, and contrast theoretical frameworks within the context of seminal scholarly figures and traditions. Options include courses such as:

• Culture/Power/Subjectivities 

Berkowitz Fellowship in History of Education

Jonathan Zimmerman, a professor of the history of education in Penn GSE’s literacy, culture, and international education division, has been named the Judy & Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education. Using the proceeds from the Berkowitz Chair, Dr. Zimmerman is launching the Berkowitz Fellowship in History of Education beginning Fall 2021. It will help fund a fifth year of study for doctoral students who are admitted in tandem to the Graduate School of Education and the School of Arts & Sciences department of history, where Dr. Zimmerman holds a secondary appointment. Berkowitz Fellows will receive a joint Ph.D. in education and history, the only funded joint degree between a school of education and a history department in the United States. Those pursuing joint doctoral study with Education, Culture, and Society and Penn’s Department of History may be eligible to extend their funding through the Berkowitz Fellowship. Interested candidates should contact Professor Jonathan Zimmerman at [email protected] .

Our Faculty

Our faculty bring together expertise in philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and history as scholars in education. Please contact our program for information on selecting a faculty advisor. 

Affiliated Faculty

Our affiliated faculty members are valued as part of our intellectual community, and students are encouraged to take their courses and connect on research matters and for mentorship. 

Asif Agha Professor of Anthropology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of Chicago

Nikhil Anand Associate Professor of Anthropology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., Stanford University

Mia Bay Roy F. and Jeannette P. Nichols Professor of American History, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., Yale University

Nicole Mittenfelner Carl Director, Urban Teaching Residency Program Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Camille Z. Charles Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg Professor in the Social Sciences, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles

Karen Detlefsen Vice Provost for Education Ph.D., University of Toronto

Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher Senior Lecturer Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Leigh Llewellyn Graham Lecturer Ph.D., Columbia University

Mauro F. Guillén William H. Wurster Professor of Multinational Management, The Wharton School Ph.D., Yale University

Amy Gutmann Penn President Emerita Ph.D., Harvard University

Emily Hannum Professor of Sociology and Education, School of Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of Michigan 

Jessie Harper Lecturer, MSW Program, Penn Social Policy & Practice Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania

Jasmine Harris Professor of Law, Penn Carey Law J.D., Yale Law School

Nancy H. Hornberger Professor Emerita of Education Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Richard M. Ingersoll Professor of Education and Sociology Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

John L. Jackson, Jr. Provost Ph.D., Columbia University

Jerry A. Jacobs Professor of Sociology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., Harvard University

Andrea M. Kane Professor of Practice, Education Leadership Ph.D., Northcentral University

Annette Lareau Professor of Sociology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

Kristina Lyons Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of California, Davis

Ranah McKay Associate Professor of History and Sociology of Science, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., Stanford University

Jennifer Morton Presidential Penn Compact Associate Professor of Philosophy Ph.D., Stanford University

Hyunjoon Park Korea Foundation Professor of Sociology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison

Alex Posecznick Adjunct Associate Professor Ph.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

John L. Puckett Professor Emeritus of Education Ph.D., University of North Carolina

Rogers Smith Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., Harvard University

Deborah Thomas R. Jean Brownlee Professor of Anthropology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., New York University

Greg Urban Arthur Hobson Quinn Professor of Anthropology, Penn Arts & Sciences Ph.D., University of Chicago

Daniel A. Wagner UNESCO Chair in Learning and Literacy Ph.D., University of Michigan

Our Graduates

The Ph.D. in Education, Culture, and Society prepares students for careers as researchers, particularly within universities, but also in research institutes, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Alumni Careers

• Assistant Professor, Cleveland State University
• Assistant Professor, Emory University
• Assistant Professor, Stanford University
• Clinical Associate Professor, NYU Center for Global Affairs
• Global Director of Talent Development, Genworth Financial Faculty, American University
• Lead Researcher and Policy Analyst, United Federation of Teachers
• Lecturer, Columbia University
• Professor, Villanova University
• Visiting Assistant Professor, Swarthmore College

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Alex Posecznick, Ph.D. Program Manager and Associated Faculty (215) 573-3947 [email protected] 

Paula Rogers Program Assistant (215) 898-5023 [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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Ethnography in Education Research Forum

Convened by the Center for Urban Ethnography at Penn GSE since 1980, the Ethnography in Education Research Forum is the largest annual meeting of qualitative researchers in education.

Urban Education Journal

The Penn GSE Perspectives on Urban Education journal is an electronic, student-run publication and interactive forum to investigate critical issues in urban education.

You May Be Interested In

Related programs.

• Education, Culture, and Society M.S.Ed.
• Reading/Writing/Literacy Ph.D.
• Reading/Writing/Literacy Ed.D.
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development Ph.D.
• Education Policy Ph.D.

Related Topics

Ph.D. Program

Grad student, Tamkinat Rauf, with Sociologist, William Julius Wilson, at a CASBS event. Image credit: Jerry Wang, courtesy of CASBS at Stanford

The Ph.D. program is defined by a commitment to highly analytical sociology

The program trains graduate students to use a range of methods – quantitative and qualitative – and data – survey, administrative, experimental, interview, direct observation, and more – to answer pressing empirical questions and to advance important theoretical and policy debates.

The Ph.D. curriculum and degree requirements provide students with the methodological skills, substantive knowledge, and mentorship to make important and impactful contributions to sociological knowledge. The program guides Ph.D. students to work on ambitious, independent research projects about which students are passionate. Graduates finish the program well-positioned to be leaders in the field of sociology.

Top 5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024

We rank the best online PhD in sociology degree programs.

Key Takeaways

• Sociology PhD programs can lead to research, leadership, and post-secondary education opportunities.
• The best online sociology doctorates are institutionally and programmatically accredited.
• An online sociology PhD program can help you balance professional responsibilities alongside your graduate studies.

Top Online Sociology PhD Programs

University of michigan, johns hopkins university, louisiana state university, colorado state university, walden university, university of california, berkeley, new york university, university of california, los angeles, university of wisconsin–madison.

• Colorado State University 91%
• Louisiana State University 76%
• University of Wisconsin–Madison 49%
• University of Michigan 18%
• New York University 12%
• University of California, Berkeley 11%
• University of California, Los Angeles 9%
• Johns Hopkins University 7%
• Louisiana State University 22 to 1
• Walden University 21 to 1
• University of California, Berkeley 19 to 1
• University of Wisconsin–Madison 18 to 1
• University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
• Colorado State University 17 to 1
• University of Michigan 12 to 1
• New York University 8 to 1
• Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
• Johns Hopkins University $60,480
• New York University $58,168
• University of Michigan $17,454
• Walden University $12,483
• University of California, Los Angeles $11,564
• University of California, Berkeley $11,564
• Colorado State University $9,903
• University of Wisconsin–Madison $9,273
• Louisiana State University $8,038
• New York University $37,332
• University of Michigan $25,894
• University of California, Los Angeles $11,700
• University of California, Berkeley $11,700
• Colorado State University $10,834
• University of Wisconsin–Madison $10,728
• Walden University $9,902
• Louisiana State University $9,132

Featured Programs

Only a select number of universities offer a fully online doctoral of sociology program. In most cases, online doctoral studies in areas like educational leadership, public policy, and health policy will offer sociology program concentrations. These programs are the focus of this ranking.

This sociology doctoral program is considered a terminal degree, which means it is the highest degree that you can earn in the field. Online doctoral level sociology programs typically prepare students for opportunities for leadership, public consultation, research, and post-secondary education.

Online PhD in sociology candidates are typically already working at a high level in their field. This means that students seeking their doctorate must balance existing work and personal responsibilities with a challenging course of education.

For many graduate students, online courses and fully online programs provide a way to achieve this balance.

For a look at how these online doctoral programs stack up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees.

Or find out what your options are with a look at our College Rankings Guide .

Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can earn an online PhD in sociology or a related subject through a top-ranked online doctorate program.

About Accredited Online Sociology PhD Programs

Quality and credibility are important when it comes to finding an online PhD in sociology program. The best online doctorate programs will have proper accreditation:

• Institutional Accreditation : Accreditation is vital for online doctoral programs. It signifies that the online PhD programs offered by the graduate school are in compliance with the standards of a Department of Education-approved accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online doctorate candidates.

When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.

• Programmatic Accreditation : In addition to institutional accreditation, consider online doctorate degree programs with programmatic accreditation. Employers and other industry professionals may look for this specialized accreditation to determine the credibility of your degree. Sociology degrees may be accredited by The Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPACS) or the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology.
• Carnegie Classification : The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, or as it is more commonly known, the Carnegie Classification, is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”

Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online Phd programs.

Key Point: The best online doctoral programs will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Sociology PhD Program Admission Requirements

Schools that offer online doctorate programs have different admission requirements. However, most online doctoral programs will carry the same basic threshold for admission:

• A completed online application
• Official undergraduate college transcripts
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores), MAT scores, or GMAT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews
• Personal statement or essay
• Plan of study

Key Point: In most cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well.

Sociology Program Curriculum and Courses

Research is the central component of your online sociology PhD program. This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses. Regardless of whether you complete traditional, hybrid or online graduate study, the typical time to completion is three to five years.

The typical components of your PhD degree in sociology online program may include:

Foundational Courses

Most students will begin their program in sociology with core courses in areas like sociological theory, political science, social inequality, and more. Doctorate program students will also complete sociology courses in a chosen concentration such as economic sociology, environmental sociology, political sociology, urban sociology, and more.

Moreover, most doctoral studies in sociology will incorporate advanced research methods courses as well as instruction in experimental design. You may be able to complete many of these requirements through online classes.

Examinations for PhD Candidacy

Many online doctoral students are required to complete certain examinations to enter into online PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after you’ve completed one to two years of foundational courses.

Dissertation

In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After gaining status as an online PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question. This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. Students develop research methodologies while working closely with an advisor or mentor. Much of your dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some online PhD programs will also include a teaching practicum, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in the sociology department of your university. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Research Apprenticeship

Some program in sociology degrees will require students to work closely with faculty members in a mentor-apprenticeship capacity. Other programs may require participation in specific research seminars.

Key Point: The online PhD is a research-focused degree. Your dissertation will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.

Careers for Students Who Complete Online Doctoral Degree Programs in Sociology

Accredited online sociology doctorates are generally terminal degree programs. This means that students who complete credible online doctoral degrees in sociology or a related field like public policy or educational leadership will generally be eligible for top positions and opportunities in their field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the top 10% of sociologists work in areas like research, development, and policy implementation, and earned more than $136,000 in 2021.

Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate in sociology or a related area may be eligible to work in the following areas.

• Survey Research
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Post-Secondary Education
• Public Policy Consultation
• Public Services Leadership

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a doctorate in sociology or a related subject will be eligible to work in research, post-secondary education, and policy development.

What’s the difference between online doctoral programs and online Ph.D programs?

Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all online PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.

The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.

By contrast, online PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that online PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.

Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online Phd programs.

The Best Online Sociology Doctorates (PhDs)

The online PhD programs identified here are ranked based on influence, with weighting for graduation rate and full-time online enrollment. While only a limited number of colleges and universities offer a fully online doctorate program in sociology, a number of top-ranked graduate schools offer fully online degrees in related areas.

Many students pursue careers in sociology after earning concentrated degrees in areas like public policy development, public administration, educational leadership, public health administration, and more.

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Median SAT/ACT

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Michigan

University of Michigan’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Engineering
• Anthropology
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

• Claude Shannon
• Arthur Miller
• Alvin Plantinga
• George Dantzig
• Edgar F. Codd
• Hans-Hermann Hoppe
• Stephen Smale
• Urie Bronfenbrenner
• John Henry Holland
• Amos Tversky
• Marshall Sahlins

What do we love about the University of Michigan?

University of Michigan was founded in 1817, which is actually about 20 years before the territory of Michigan became a state. Roughly half of the students at the University of Michigan are from the state of Michigan, which means they enjoy discounted state tuition rates.

The University of Michigan draws students from all over the world. International students make up about 15% of the school’s population.

University of Michigan offers several online PhD concentrations geared toward sociology graduates. Several are housed in its Educational Studies PhD including concentrations in Educational Foundations and Policy and Literacy, Language, and Culture .

Enjoy a vaunted athletics program and a large student body—roughly 32,000 undergrads and 16,000 grad students.

Prefer a small campus. The Ann Arbor campus is so large that it is divided into four distinct campus sections, all connected by bus service.

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Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• G. Stanley Hall
• John Archibald Wheeler
• Thorstein Veblen
• John Mauchly
• Thomas Hunt Morgan
• Gertrude Stein
• Rachel Carson
• Joseph Jastrow
• Robert Fogel
• Richard E. Bellman
• John R. Commons

What do we love about Johns Hopkins University?

Johns Hopkins University was formed in 1876 and, in addition to being the oldest research university in the U.S., Johns Hopkins is actually the oldest research institution in the western hemisphere! In fact, Johns Hopkins was considered a groundbreaking institution from its very formation for its innovative merging of research and teaching.

Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins serves more than 26,000 students today.

Johns Hopkins University offers a number of online doctoral degree programs, including any array of Doctorate of Public Health degrees with concentrations in sociology. Among them, doctoral candidates can conduct research in focused areas such as Environmental Health (Environmental Health or Health Security Track), Health Equity and Social Justice, and Global Health: Policy & Evaluation.

Are looking to conduct research at the graduate level. The vast majority of Johns Hopkins students—well over 20,000—are pursuing advanced postgraduate degrees.

Are seeking a social campus experience. Many students at Johns Hopkins are primarily focused on the rigorous academic experience.

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Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Earth Sciences
• Communications
• Michael I. Jordan
• James Carville
• Cleanth Brooks
• Joseph E. LeDoux
• Donna Brazile
• Hubert Humphrey
• J. Lawton Collins
• Claire Lee Chennault
• Nic Pizzolatto
• Stephan Kinsella
• Jim A. Kuypers

What do we love about Louisiana State University?

Louisiana State University is a public research university based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded in 1860, LSU is both the flagship institution in the state university system and the largest school in the state of Louisiana.

With an estimated 36,000 students pursuing degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Louisiana State University offers more than 230 degree programs across 11 academic colleges.

LSU offers an online doctorate of education in leadership studies with several concentrations related to the practice of sociology including its Leadership Studies concentration and its Health Communication & Leadership concentration.

Are seeking a diverse student body. With students from all 50 states and more than 100 nations, LSU offers the opportunity to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Are seeking a small, liberal arts college experience. LSU is a large, comprehensive university with numerous educational, athletic, and recreational opportunities to choose from.

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Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Jean Bethke Elshtain
• Steve Hanke
• Yusef Komunyakaa
• Elaine Ingham
• Mark Mattson
• Rebecca Skloot
• Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf
• William Tietz
• James van Hoften
• Jenna Ellis
• Martin J. Fettman
• Anwar al-Awlaki

What do we love about Colorado State University?

Colorado State University was formed in 1870 as the flagship institution in what would become the Colorado state school system. The Fort Collins-based public research university is noted today for including the biomedical sciences, engineering, environmental science, and more.

Colorado State University was formed as a small agricultural school in the years leading up to Colorado’s 1876 statehood. Today, Colorado State serves more than 34,000 students.

Colorado State University offers a small selection of online PhD programs, including a PhD in Higher Education Leadership . For sociology students, this advanced degree offers an opportunity to apply social theory and research to issues such as inclusiveness and admissions equality on the higher education landscape.

Are pursuing careers in healthcare. Colorado State ranks high for spending on its various medical sciences programs.

Are seeking a small campus experience.

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What do we love about Walden University?

Walden University is a private online school with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walden operates on a for-profit business model.

Walden University was established in 1970 with the goal of helping working adults—specifically those in education—earn their doctoral degree. Today, Walden serves nearly 50,000 students in countless areas of study.

Walden University offers two online doctoral programs of interest to sociology students. Both its Doctor of Public Administration and its PhD in Public Policy and Administration can offer inroads into sociology research, policy consultation, or postsecondary education.

Are studying nursing, public health, and healthcare administration. Walden is one of the nation’s top degree providers in these fields.

Plan to earn PhDs in psychology. Walden’s PhDs do not have accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

Other Options for Aspiring Sociologists

Students considering an online doctoral in sociology should also check out the best on-campus options to compare features like cost, curriculum, acceptance rate, and more.

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Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Daniel Kahneman
• John Kenneth Galbraith
• Timothy Leary
• Shing-Tung Yau
• Ken Thompson
• Niklaus Wirth
• Douglas Engelbart
• Theodosius Dobzhansky
• Betty Friedan
• Octavio Paz
• Gary Snyder
• #13 Best Universities in the World 2024
• #23 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
• #2 Best Colleges in New York 2024
• #2 Best Research Universities in New York 2024
• #2 Best Grad Schools in New York 2024
• #2 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
• #3 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
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• #8 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
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• #5 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students
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New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Erich Fromm
• Robert Mueller
• Martha Nussbaum
• Glenn Greenwald
• Howard Zinn
• Eric Kandel
• Lewis Mumford
• Alvin Toffler
• Louis Nirenberg
• #7 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges
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• #17 Best Universities in the World 2024
• #2 Best Public Colleges California 2024
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• #3 Best Colleges in California 2024
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• #3 Best Grad Schools California 2024
• #6 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
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• #12 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
• #13 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #14 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
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• #14 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
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Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Hilary Putnam
• Elinor Ostrom
• Judea Pearl
• Glenn T. Seaborg
• Barry Boehm
• Stanley Cavell
• William F. Sharpe
• John Ehrlichman
• Stephen Krashen
• Edward O. Thorp
• Stephen Kosslyn
• #19 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024
• #22 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024
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• #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin
• #15 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Wisconsin–Madison

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Carl Rogers
• Edward Witten
• John Bardeen
• Charles Lindbergh
• Abraham Maslow
• Joshua Lederberg
• Warren Weaver
• C. Wright Mills
• Jayaprakash Narayan

Find out more with a look at our Guide to Online Degrees .

Sociology and Education PhD

Doctor of philosophy in sociology & education.

Admissions Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

• Points/Credits: 75
• Entry Terms: Fall
• Enrollment Formats: Full-Time

Application Deadlines

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines , such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

Additional Degree Information

• Sociology & Education Ph.D. Program Planning Worksheet

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

The coursework for the Ph.D., which totals a minimum of 75 points, has seven components: social theory, basic social research design and methods, advanced social research design and methods, foundational coursework in sociology, core coursework in the sociology of education, seminars and colloquia, and elective courses. The required coursework is offered at Teachers College and in the Sociology Department in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. With advisor permission, students may pursue courses in other professional schools at the University or through the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium. 

(Please refer to the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium section of this bulletin for participating schools.) 

Social theory (6 points) includes coursework in classical and contemporary sociological theory.

Basic social research design and methods (12 points) involves coursework in research design, probability and statistics, applied regression analysis, and qualitative research methods. Courses in advanced social research design and methods (minimum 6 points) build on these basic courses in the quantitative and/or qualitative domains. Students also enroll in at least one 3-point course offered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia or a Consortium institution in each of the areas of social stratification/inequality, social organization, and  social change.

Ph.D. students also pursue a minimum of 12 points in core classes in the sociology of education and 6 points in seminars and colloquia designed to prepare students for dissertation research. The balance of the 75-point minimum is earned through elective courses selected in collaboration with the student’s advisor.

Policy Studies Concentration in the Sociology and Education Program is available.

• View Other Degrees

Program Director : Professor Aaron Pallas

Teachers College, Columbia University 212 Zankel Bldg, Suite B

Contact Person: Katherine Y. Chung, Program Manager

Phone: (212) 678-3677 Fax: (212) 678-3677

Email: kc2610@tc.columbia.edu

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• Policies and Procedures

Current PhD Students

• PhDs on the Job Market
• Affiliated Faculty
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• Major in Sociology
• Major in GPH/Sociology
• Minor in Sociology
• Minor in Law and Society
• Transfer Students
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• Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Ph.D. Program

• NYU Shanghai Ph.D. Track
• PhD Job Placement
• Puck Seminar - Pilar Gonalons-Pons
• CASSR and NYU Pop Center Seminar- Xiang Zhou
• Puck Seminar - Patrick Egan
• Puck Seminar - Raul Perez
• Puck Seminar - Gil Eyal
• CASSR and NYU Pop Center Seminar- Rebecca Sandefur
• Puck Seminar - James M. Thomas
• CASSR and NYU Pop Center Seminar- Per Engzell
• Puck Seminar - Michael Burawoy
• Puck Seminar - Sanyu A. Mojola
• Puck Seminar - Victor Ray
• Author Meets Critics - Iddo Tavory, Sonia Prelat, and Shelley Ronen's Tangled Goods
• 2023-2024 Workshops
• Crime, Law and Punishment Workshop
• Economic and Political Sociology Workshop
• Sociology of Culture
• Inequality Workshop
• Ethnography Workshop
• Race and Ethnicity Workshop
• Teaching Resources

Key to the doctoral training offered by the NYU Department of Sociology is a distinguished faculty doing cutting-edge research on topics important to theory and policy. The faculty includes individuals using diverse perspectives and methodological approaches. Thus, the selective cohort of 9-12 students admitted each year receives training that is broad and deep. Areas in which the department has faculty strength include: Comparative/Historical Sociology; Criminology and Law; Culture; Demography; Education; Environment; Family; Gender; Inequality; Political Sociology; Qualitative Methods; Quantitative Methods; Theory; and Urban Sociology. 

The program is designed to make students producers, not merely consumers, of knowledge. Training includes a two-semester course that guides a student through executing his or her own research project and writing a publishable paper. In addition to formal course work, the program includes an opportunity to do collaborative research with a faculty member the summer after students’ first year. It is common for faculty members to coauthor published papers with doctoral students arising from collaborations.

Doctoral students’ training is further enhanced by six regularly meeting workshops where students and faculty present research, get feedback, and learn from each other’s research. Students are encouraged to participate in at least one of the workshops throughout their time of study. Current workshops are in Crime, Law, and Deviance; Cultural Sociology; Economic and Political Sociology; Ethnography; Inequality; Race and Ethnicity; and Sociology of Education.

Students get training and experience in undergraduate teaching through opportunities to work as teaching assistants to departmental faculty during the fall and spring semesters, and through opportunities to teach their own courses during the University's summer sessions.

Prospective PhD Applicants

• Prospective PhD FAQ
• PhD Application Requirements
• Application Resource Center
• PhD Job Placements
• NYU First Year Housing Opportunity
• Graduate Course Offerings
• Faculty-Doctoral Student Publications
• Current Doctoral Student Publications
• PhD Virtual Info Session Video
• Fall 2024 Course Schedule
• Spring 2024 Course Schedule
• The NYU Sociology Department PhD Guidebook
• PhD Checklist
• Doctoral Student Forms
• Dissertation Defense and Submission Policies
• GSAS Policies and Procedures
• Preliminary Exams & Research Paper Requirements
• NYU Doctoral Student Policies

Department of Sociology

• PhD Requirements
• Application and Admissions
• Graduate Courses
• Graduate Concentrations
• Joint Program with Applied Mathematics & Statistics

The department’s primary educational goal is to train first-class sociology PhDs. The sociology graduate experience at Johns Hopkins is best characterized as a research apprenticeship – a careful blend of formal instruction, faculty-directed individual study, and supervised yet self-initiated research. The department’s small size and specific concentrations 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, all drawn from a wide variety of geographic and social backgrounds, constitutes a rewarding intellectual community.

Students must complete the program requirements , which include a core curriculum, elective courses, a research apprenticeship, a teaching assistantship, a residency, and a dissertation.

While not required, students may choose a graduate concentration :

• The Program on Global Social Change concentration focuses on cross-national, comparative research, and log-term, world scale social change
• The Program on Social Inequality concentration focuses on the causes and consequences of social inequality, the social processes that sustain it, and how social policies can reduce it

For students looking to acquire advanced statistical knowledge and applied research skills, the department also offers a joint program with the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Graduates of the program will earn a PhD in sociology and an MA or MSE in applied mathematics and statistics.

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.

Uncertainty about the economy, health care, and the labor market. Ethnic conflicts in an era of rapid globalization. Concern for the environment. Shifting gender arrangements, as work and family come into conflict. Violence in schools, and even houses of worship.

Never has there been a greater need for sociological research focused on the problems and issues of our time. Study sociology and anthropology at Northeastern University, and equip yourself with the practical and theoretical tools needed to address the complex social and cultural issues the U.S. confronts in a period of far-reaching social change.

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Reexamining Racism, Sexism, and Identity Taxation in the Academy | Tiffany Joseph

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The PhD program is designed to admit relatively small numbers each year, which afford students the opportunity to forge close working relationship with the faculty . All PhD students are admitted with a five-year year-round funding package which includes a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance (see: Financial Aid and Awards ). Our faculty and graduate students work together in a number of interdisciplinary research projects, programs, and centers, including the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute ; the Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict ; Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy ; the Institute for Urban Health Research ; Northeastern Environmental Justice Research Collaborative , the Institute on Race and Justice , the Network Science Institute , NULab for Texts, Maps and Networks , and the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program . Many of the faculty in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology have additional interests and are affiliated with other departments on campus, including environmental studies; law, policy, and society; Latino, Latin American and Caribbean studies; African American studies; international affairs, Jewish studies; and criminal justice. Students who wish to work with faculty in other disciplines are encouraged to enlist the aid of the sociology graduate director or their advisers in contacting individual faculty members.

To ensure that PhD students become not only effective researchers and writers but also successful instructors, we offer teacher-training with the aim of instilling a skill set that prospective academic employers find desirable through the University’s Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research (CATLR). We also provide numerous funded research opportunities and other resources for our students with the centers or with individual faculty members. As a result, our students frequently present papers at professional conferences and publish articles during the course of their graduate studies. In addition, the department and affiliated centers often host national and international visitors, speakers, and conferences, further enhancing educational opportunities for our graduate students. Finally, each year the department offers a set of workshops on academic writing, teaching, grant writing, the job market, and other “professional development” matters.

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.

To see more about the career outlook and dissertation work of this program, visit the PhD Alumni page for the Sociology program.

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 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
• Names of 2 or 3 possible faculty mentors

Application

Admissions deadline for Fall term: December 1

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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Academic Services team:

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Boston University Academics

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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 units).

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

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

Strongly encouraged (two 2-unit courses run over two terms for a total of 4 units):

• CAS SO 951 and SO 952 Professionalization Workshop

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

The CAS 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 CAS 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 units) 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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FAQ for Prospective Doctoral Students

Phd in sociology of education, about the academic program, how long does it take to complete the doctoral program.

The median time to completion at Steinhardt is 6.7 years, and most Sociology of Education PhD students tend to finish in 5-7 years.

Is funding available?

We offer a competitive funding program for full-time PhD students that supports tuition and living expenses. See  more information about the funding program . More information about the funding package is provided at the time of admission. 

Do you offer online courses?

We do not currently or plan to offer courses online.

Do you offer summer courses?

We do not offer exclusively summer graduate programs, but some of our courses are occasionally offered in summer. With careful planning in conjunction with their adviser, students could fulfill certain program requirements during the summers.

Do you offer job placement assistance after graduation?

NYU's  Wasserman Career Center  provides assistance to all graduate students and alumni from NYU Steinhardt.

About Visiting Campus, Information Sessions, and Getting More Information

What events can i attend or how can i meet with faculty and advisors.

We host several opportunities to get to know students and answer questions each year. Open House is hosted in the fall semester of each year, and we also host online Information Sessions in the fall and spring.  Please see the Steinhardt Graduate Admissions website for more information, as well as how to RSVP.

I am planning to visit campus and would like to attend a class. When is the best time for me to do this?

We encourage students to attend Open House in the fall, where you can meet faculty, advisers, and current students in the program, as well as attend a class.  Typically, most of our classes are offered in the late afternoon or early evening, Mondays through Thursdays.

If you are unable to align your plans with Open House, please  email us  at least three weeks prior to your visit to request to attend a class. We encourage students to also contact the  NYU Gould Welcome Center  to arrange for a campus tour, and watch the recorded Information Session prior to their visit to have many of their questions about the program answered.

Is an interview required?

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of the on-campus or online events to get to know program faculty, their research, and to look for alignment in research interests. Due to an overwhelming number of requests, and to keep our responses equitable, we do not schedule individual meetings with faculty and prospective students.If you have questions about the program and cannot attend an event, you may also email our staff to ask questions or set up a phone appointment. These meetings do not influence admission decisions.

I cannot attend the on campus information session.  How can I find out more?

After carefully reviewing our website and FAQ, if you have additional questions, you may email us to request a phone or virtual appointment with an advisor or ask question. We host online Information Sessions in both fall and spring. Check the Graduate Admissions Events website for more information; we typically post the dates and RSVP information for events in late August. 

About Admissions

What is the deadline for applying to the phd program in sociology of education.

December 1.

Where can I find the application?

See the  Application Guide for the PhD in Sociology of Education .

Are there different admissions requirements for international students?

Yes. Detailed  Special Instructions for International Applicants  are available in the Graduate Admissions Guide.

What are the English proficency exam requirements for international students?

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to take one of the following English proficiency exams and submit the score: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. See  more information on English proficiency testing .

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is not a part of the application process this year.

Is an MA required to apply for a PhD?

No, an MA is not required. 

What is the GPA requirement?

Successful candidates for admission will demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement at the undergraduate level and from any previous graduate-level coursework from accredited institutions (if applicable, previous graduate coursework is not required). Students with anomalies in their academic records should consider addressing this in their statement of purpose. The admissions committee also looks carefully at your entire transcript, not just the overall GPA, such as reviewing what kinds of classes you were taking and your grades over time.

I do not have a background in education or sociology - am I still eligible to apply to this program?

Yes, absolutely. The program imparts methodological and theoretical knowledge, and gives students the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge in their area of interest. Undergraduates from a variety of backgrounds and majors are encouraged to apply.

Do I need to submit letters of recommendation?

Yes, three letters of recommendation are required for the PhD program. Please note that these should be academic references who can speak to your academic strengths, to your potential to undertake rigorous academic work at an advanced level, if possible, to your interests in education and sociology.

What should I include on my statement of purpose?

Your statement of purpose should describe why this is the perfect next step for you. It should  demonstrate what personally and professionally has led you to decide you would like to enter this program. Although you don't need to demonstrate knowledge of sociology, you should be able to articulate how your interests align with the type of research our faculty does and the strengths of the program.

Your statement does not need to identify a mentor, but you should research the school as a whole and see if there are some faculty who you would be excited to work with and could support you in your research.

What should I submit for my writing sample?

The writing sample can be any academic paper which you feel demonstrates your ability to write well and make academic arguments or critically analyze an issue. It does not have to be for a sociology course or focused on sociology.  It should be no longer than 10-15 pages.

Do I need to have a fully developed dissertation topic when I apply?

Absolutely not, the first two to three years of the program are about figuring this out. You should have an idea of what you care about and some broad ideas about areas you are interested in researching, such as urban education, diversity in education, social justice issues, etc.

Can I have the application fee waived?

Application fee waivers are available in some circumstances. The NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions handles fee waiver requests. Please review the  Policy on Application Fee Waivers  to determine how to properly request a fee waiver.

Where do I send supplementary materials, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts?

Letters of recommendation and scanned transcripts are submitted through the online application.

If absolutely necessary, other materials can be sent directly to the admissions office:

Office of Graduate Admissions NYU Steinhardt 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680 [email protected]

When will I receive a decision from NYU?

Decisions are typically mailed out from Graduate Admissions beginning in mid to late March. If you have not received a response within this time frame, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office directly at (212) 998-5030 or  [email protected]  .

Education, Practice and Society MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society offers world-leading doctoral programmes in education and related social sciences. Our MPhil/PhD students undertake research projects, working closely with their supervisors to develop each stage of their research, and undertake a tailored programme of training courses and activities. This programme is available to study both face-to-face and online.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

The normal minimum requirement is a Master’s degree from a UK university in a subject appropriate to the programme to be followed, or a qualification of equivalent standard appropriate to the programme to be followed awarded by a university (or educational institution of university rank) outside the UK. The majority of our successful applicants hold a Merit at Master’s level, and may have additional relevant experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Department of Education, Practice and Society has a range of innovative, research-active staff able to supervise post-graduate research in the following areas: international development; sociology of education; history of education; philosophy of education; higher education; comparative education; post-14 education.

We also have a number of research centres including the Centre for Global Youth; Centre for Research on Learning and Life Chances (LLAKES); Philosophy at the Institute; the Centre for the Sociology of Education and Equity; the Centre for Education and International Development (CEID); the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES); the Centre for Post-14 Education and Work; the International Centre for Historical Research in Education (ICHRE); and jointly the Centre for Engineering Education.

Who this course is for

The MPhil/PhD is for applicants with a strong interest in an aspect of educational and social research, which may be understood broadly across the life course, in relation to other subject areas and wider social, economic, political and cultural changes. You should normally have completed an MA to merit level and want to develop a specific area of research. You may have a background in education or a cognate area of study. It is suitable for both recent graduates and those progressed in a career.

What this course will give you

IOE is a world-leading centre for research in education and related social science. We host the UK's largest doctoral cohort in these areas. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023), the institute was ranked first for education for the tenth year running, ahead of Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge. In the UK's recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), we were ranked first for research strength and research power in Education, according to the Elsevier REF 2021 Results Analysis Tool. We attract extensive research funding each year and host many prestigious research centres and projects.

Doctoral students at IOE have access to the wider UCL community as well as the education cluster constituting the UBEL Doctoral Training Partnership . The Institute's programme has been designed to provide comprehensive and broadly based research training and to meet the requirements of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the UK Researcher Development Framework.

Students work closely with their supervisor(s) to develop each stage of research; supervisors also help put together a programme of additional courses and activities to support progress towards completion of the final thesis. 

Doctoral students at the Department of Education, Practice and Society can participate in the department's Research Students Seminar Group which further enriches learning.

The foundation of your career

Students gain experience of planning and implementing research methodologies, academic writing and presentation, management of their own research projects, and engagement with a wide range of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other groups relevant to their chosen topic.

The research training at IOE and in the rest of UCL has been excellent. I began this process knowing very little about how to conduct primary research, and I feel this is something that I’ve really been supported in developing. Jonathan James Education, Practice and Society MPhil/PhD Q&A with Jonathan James

Employability

Department of Education, Practice and Society doctoral graduates progress to careers in education, university teaching, educational research, and policy and curriculum development. They can be found in almost every occupational field, and there are a wide variety of career paths.

The Department of Education, Practice and Society pioneers research collaborations with external partners to diversify the contribution that educational research can make academically, professionally and practically for individuals and communities. We also strive to provide solutions to current and emerging pressure points in societies, such as economic change and social injustice, by creating networks and partnerships to support knowledge transfer between education, work and communities.

Teaching and learning

In addition to UCL's Doctoral Skills Development Programme, IOE's Centre for Doctoral Education provides a comprehensive Research Training Programme.

The Core Course aims to meets the needs of early stage doctoral students.

There is a wide range of introductory, advanced methods, advanced theoretical, and generic academic skills courses, as well as student-led workshops and reading groups.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) consists of a piece of supervised research, normally undertaken over a period of three years full-time or five years part-time. Assessment is by means of a thesis, which should demonstrate your capacity to pursue original research based upon a good understanding of the research techniques and concepts appropriate to the discipline. It must also represent a distinct and significant contribution to the subject, whether through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views. It should reflect the exercise of critical judgement with regard to both your own work and that of other scholars in the field.

For those who decide not to pursue the full PhD, or are unable to do so, the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) consists of a piece of supervised research, normally undertaken over a period of three years full-time or five years part-time. Assessment is by means of a thesis, which should represent a contribution to the subject, either through a record of your original work or a critical and ordered exposition of existing knowledge.

You must ensure you have adequate time to devote to this research, at least six hours a day (2-3 days a week part time).

Research areas and structure

There is a wide range of expertise including:

• Comparative Education, including Education Policy Borrowing
• Education, Democracy and Diversity : citizenship education; civic participation; social cohesion; nation building; civic and ethnic identities
• Education and Wellbeing : health; sexual identity; education psychology; behaviour and disaffection; learning, studying and homework
• Further Education, Post-14 Education, and Post-Compulsory Education
• Global Youth
• Higher Education (HE) : academic and professional identities; national, global and international HE; management, governance and leadership
• Sociology of Education : education policy; gender, ‘race’, and social class; migration, refugees and marginalisation; social justice; human rights
• History of Education : cultural, social and economic history of education and learning; universities; adult, popular and informal education; historiography and methodology
• International Development : economics, education, and education planning; education in developing countries
• Lifelong Learning, and Adult Learning, Literacy and Numeracy
• Philosophy of Education : disability ethics; personhood; theories of mind; theories of justice
• Post-Conflict / Peacebuilding Education
• Professional Development, Vocational Education, and Workplace Learning

Research environment

As a research student in the Department of Education, Practice and Society a wide range of research seminars will be available to you. Each of the research centres in the Department run regular seminars which further enriches learning.

Since October 2014, we have also - in addition to the campus-based mode - offered the option to study online in a distance-learning mode. Choosing the distance-learning mode means that there are no residency requirements and it is not necessary to attend during doctoral study, the viva examination take place in-person at UCL or online. However, you are welcome to visit and use campus facilities including the library, attend seminars etc. In the first year of full-time study (and first two years of part-time study), distance learners take a series of compulsory research methods modules that are studied online. This typically involves provision of materials (articles, eBooks, videos etc.), forums to facilitate discussion of various tasks, and synchronous sessions to discuss the activities. Alongside these you will work with your supervisors on your research (e.g., using Teams/Zoom and email). In addition, there are other resources and training opportunities to support distance-learning students, e.g., sessions to develop generic skills.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 3 years for full-time.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 9-18 months after initial registration.

IOE Centre for Doctoral Education provides an extensive Research Training Programme. A mandatory core course is provided that aims to meet the needs of early-stage doctoral students. There is also a wide range of introductory, advanced methods, advanced theoretical, and generic non-credit bearing academic skills courses, as well as student led workshops and reading groups which you can attend.

Full-time MPhil/PhD students are required to fulfil minimum 20 'points' of training activity in their first year, and are encouraged to fulfil the same in their subsequent years of study. This training can be selected from the UCL Doctoral Skills Development Programme, IOE faculty's Research Training Programme, the multi-institutional Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network, and from other sources. Each point is worth approximately a half-day of face-to-face training, or an online equivalent. Other activities such as attending and presenting at conferences also count towards research training. Students may undertake additional training beyond these minima, as relevant to their research and/or as agreed with their supervisors.

You are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status towards the end of your first year of study if full-time. Students whose performance is satisfactory will transfer from MPhil to PhD status.

Processes aimed at assisting you during your course of study include the Research Student Log (an online project management tool), and periodic reviews of students' progress.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration you may, if necessary, register as a completing research status (CRS) student while you finish writing your thesis.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 5 years for part-time.

Part-time students are required to fulfil minimum 12 'points' of training activity in each year of study. This training can be selected from the UCL Doctoral Skills Development Programme, IOE faculty's Research Training Programme, the multi-institutional Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network, and from other sources. Each point is worth approximately a half-day of face-to-face training, or an online equivalent. Other activities such as attending and presenting at conferences also count towards research training. Students may undertake additional training beyond these minima, as relevant to their research and/or as agreed with their supervisors.

You are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status at around 18 months if part-time. Students whose performance is satisfactory will transfer from MPhil to PhD status.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their thesis.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding webpage: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/funding-students-postgraduate-research-courses

UCL's Research Excellence Scholarships (RES) are available annually to prospective and existing UCL research students from any country: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/research-excellence-scholarship . The UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership offers studentships annually. More information is found here: https://ubel-dtp.ac.uk/

UBEL, RES and other funding programmes are not available to online and non-resident students.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

After choosing a programme to apply for, you should develop a research proposal and identify a potential supervisor. For more information, visit our website to find a supervisor and get in touch with departmental graduate tutors.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Got questions get in touch.

Education, Practice and Society

[email protected]

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How to Get a PhD in Sociology

If you’re fascinated by the study of social behavior and culture, you may be considering a PhD in sociology. A PhD in social science  with a specialization in sociology can take your education to the highest level and prepare you for a new and exciting career. But PhD programs in sociology abound. How can you navigate through the possibilities to identify the best fit? Know what you’re looking for, and take the time to research.

When about to embark on your search for the right graduate sociology program, keep these steps firmly in mind:

• Identify your goals
• Research specializations, schools, and programs
• Compile your materials
• Apply to programs
• Join the sociology community

The PhD in Sociology: An Overview

The study of social diversity and group behaviors has long been a subject of academic interest. In the last quarter of the 19 th century, some professors of moral philosophy began incorporating sociological principles into their courses. By the turn of the century, sociology had started to become a distinct academic discipline.

Today, the number of people pursuing advanced degrees in sociology continues to grow. Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that in 2006, 578 people received a doctorate in sociology, compared to 40 in 1930.

Perhaps not surprisingly, given the subject matter, recipients of doctorate degrees in sociology are increasingly diverse. As of 2006, more than one-third of the people who received a doctorate in sociology were non-white. In 2007, nearly two-thirds of all doctoral recipients in sociology were women.

Like any other advanced degree, a doctorate in sociology is obtained through perseverance and commitment to the subject. The cornerstone of many campus-based and online PhD programs is a large-scale, independent research project. Depending on the amount of time it takes to finish your dissertation and whether you are entering the program with a master’s degree, a typical doctoral program takes four to seven years to complete.

For the Working Professional: An Online PhD in Sociology

An online PhD in sociology is becoming an increasingly available option. If you are a professional wishing to advance your education without relinquishing your career, you might want to explore an online doctorate degree.

Online degree programs tend to be geared toward working professionals seeking to apply current research and a deeper knowledge base to their work. Many online PhD programs combine faculty-guided research with online courses, and, sometimes, face-to-face residencies.

Campus-based and online PhD programs often differ in their philosophy and orientation. A campus-based PhD in sociology can prepare you to work as an academician, either as a teacher or researcher–or both. An online PhD in sociology, on the other hand, is usually a practitioner’s degree. Programs are generally designed to draw from and augment real-world professional experience. Students thus leave the programs with the expertise they need to occupy top-level positions in diverse fields such as human welfare, health care, criminal justice, business, or education.

Career Options for a PhD in Sociology

Jobs held by people holding a PhD in sociology are as diverse as the subject matter within the field. A survey of graduates with advanced degrees in sociology showed them occupying positions ranging from vice president of a management consulting firm to statistician with the U.S. Census Bureau. A PhD in sociology can prepare you to compete for positions in corporations, think tanks, research agencies, and human service organizations. Sociology professionals can work collaboratively or independently as contract researchers, organizational consultants, policy-makers, top administrators, or academicians.

Finding the Right PhD Program: The Research and Application Process

If you’ve decided to pursue a campus-based or online PhD in sociology, it’s time to start the process of identifying the programs that meet your needs.

Step 1: Identify Core Criteria for a PhD in Sociology

Depending on your situation and career goals, you can make decisions about some programs right off the bat. Start by considering your core criteria for a PhD in sociology, keeping the following items in mind.

• Accreditation. Accreditation means a school has established a set of standards that meet criteria set by an authorizing body. Having this seal of approval lets employers know that your program has been fully vetted.
• Online or on campus? If your career objective is to become a professor of sociology or a university-based researcher, a traditional on-campus program may be the right choice. If you’re a working professional and would like to build your expertise, or if you prefer a part-time program that accommodates your busy schedule, an online PhD in sociology may give you the flexibility and career development you need.
• Location. Are you willing to move for a campus-based program? If not, you limit your options to schools within a particular geographic area or to online PhD programs.
• Entry requirements. Some PhD programs require a master’s degree, while others do not. If you have only a bachelor’s degree, you’ll want to limit your search to a combined master’s/PhD in sociology–there are many to choose from.

Step 2: Assess Your Options for a PhD in Sociology

Now that you’ve established your baseline criteria, you’re ready to begin your research.

Survey the Field

Simply by browsing the Internet, you can find numerous sources of information about graduate schools in sociology. Use the following list to get started.

• Accredited programs . The U.S. Department of Education maintains The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, searchable by school or accrediting agency. The Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology also maintains a list of sociology programs that it has accredited.
• Online directory sites. WorldWideLearn.com offers a wide range of information about graduate schools and programs. You can search degrees by level, degrees by subject, or degrees by school.
• Rankings. Several sites rank graduate programs in sociology. U.S. News & World Report ranks more than 100 sociology graduate schools. The Social Psychology Network also ranks top sociology PhD programs, based on the Princeton Review’s “Gourman Report of Graduate Programs.”

Use the results of your search to keep a running list of PhD programs in sociology that meet your basic criteria.

Step 3: Narrow the Field of Campus-Based or Online PhD Programs

Now, it’s time to explore programs in depth using the results of your search. This is where you’ll collect and evaluate the details, so make sure you have plenty of ink for your printer (or plenty of pens).

There are several factors you should consider.

1. Specializations

As a doctoral student, you can work toward becoming a specialist within the discipline of sociology. Each program differs in the specializations it offers; faculty research interests usually guide a program’s areas of study. Be certain that your top PhD programs offer specializations that match your own interests.

Specializations for graduate studies in sociology include:

• Criminology
• Development
• Ethnicity and race
• Immigration
• Organizations
• Political sociology
• Quantitative methods
• Social history
• Social movements
• Stratification and class
• Urban studies

2. Quality of the Program

When evaluating PhD programs in sociology, keep these seven quality measures in mind:

• Faculty. Do faculty members have doctorate degrees from reputable universities or significant relevant work experience? What is the student/faculty ratio?
• History. Does the program have a solid track record? If it is new, does it have quality faculty to guide it and seem comparable to other programs?
• Reputation. Pay less attention to official rankings than to what other sociologists think about the school. Be sure to talk to faculty members and graduate students in sociology to get informed opinions.
• Philosophy and orientation of the program. Does the program’s orientation (for example, research versus practitioner) match your own career objectives?
• Graduation rate. When you begin the long path toward a doctorate, you’ll want the support and guidance you need to complete your degree. A program with a low graduation rate should raise a red flag.
• Academic requirements. The more stringent the academic requirements, the higher-caliber student the program attracts.
• Placement of graduates. Are graduates teaching at top universities? Are they applying their expertise as sociologists to their professions?

3. Program Costs

Funding a doctorate degree in sociology takes careful financial planning. Fortunately, financial aid options are available in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and student loans. Find out what kind of financial aid each program can offer.

4. Admission Requirements

Can you get in? Some doctorate programs in sociology require you to have a master’s degree and a minimum GPA. Make sure you can meet admission requirements–and if you have any doubt, contact a faculty member or an admissions representative directly.

5. School Resources

Will the school’s library facilities support your research? Does the campus offer special facilities for graduate students? What other resources exist for graduate students in sociology, such as student publications or networks?

Where to Get Information

You may be surprised by the level of detail you can gather from individual schools’ Web sites. Explore sites in depth, and make a note of any information that’s missing or questions you have about the program. Then, take the time to call the school. Generally, faculty and staff will be happy to provide information to prospective students.

When you’ve completed your online research, visit campuses and talk to faculty and students in the sociology programs you are considering–whether for a campus-based or an online PhD in sociology. You may spend several years working toward your degree, so be certain that your top programs offer an environment that facilitates your learning and research in a positive way.

Step 4: Get Ready to Apply to a PhD in Sociology Program

At this stage, you’ve completed your research, and you have a list of programs to which you’d like to apply. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for the application process–a hastily written statement of purpose or incomplete application materials could lead the review committee to reject your application.

Carefully review each school’s application requirements, and gather your information. Common requirements include:

• Transcripts. Many schools enable you to order these online, which can save you time.
• Prerequisite courses and degrees . If you’re entering a campus-based or online doctorate degree program with a master’s degree, you may need to send appropriate documentation.
• Letters of recommendation. An academic-track degree program may require letters from people who can attest to your ability to perform independent research and scholarship in the field. A practitioner’s degree program may be more likely to accept letters from work references.
• Qualifying exams. Many doctorate degree programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Make sure that you take it with sufficient time for the test results to be processed and mailed to your school. International students are usually required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam in addition to the GRE.
• Application fees. Make sure you have cash in the bank for application fees. They can add up.
• Other requirements. Some top schools offering a doctorate in sociology require evidence of original research or samples of academic writing.

St ep 5: Connect with Other Sociology Professionals

You can get ahead of the game if you enter your campus-based or online doctorate degree program with a sense of who’s who in the field of sociology. Keep current in your field by:

• Subscribing to sociology-related publications
• Joining professional organizations and associations–there are many to choose from
• Attending academic conferences

Step 6: Envision Your Future as an Expert Sociologist

Whether you aspire to teach at a prestigious university, become an independent consultant, or lead an organization, you’ll get the most out of your doctorate in sociology if you keep your career objectives firmly in mind. Obtaining a doctorate in sociology requires initiative and commitment–but the end result should be worth the effort. You’ll be joining an elite group of scholars who have reached the ultimate educational achievement: a doctorate.

• American Sociological Association, Doctorate Recipients by Race/Ethnicity in Selected Disciplines, 1977-2006
• American Sociological Association, Prospects for the MA/PhD Sociology Graduate
• American Sociological Association, Sociology Doctorates Awarded Since 1930
• Florida State University, PhD Program in Sociology
• Georgia State University Department of Sociology, Graduate Programs
• Must University, PhD Degree in Sociology
• Rogers State University, Why Study Sociology?
• A Brief History of the Emergence of Sociology as an Academic Teaching Enterprise in the U.S. , by William Norris
• University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Study in Sociology
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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: £4,786 for the first year 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

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

Updated: May 30, 2023, 2:17am

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

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

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

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What Does a Ph.D. in Sociology Entail?

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

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

Ph.D. in Sociology Admission Requirements

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

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

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

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

Ph.D in Sociology Program Formats

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

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

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

Common Ph.D. in Sociology Degree Requirements

Sociological theory.

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

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

Social Data Analysis and Research

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

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

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

Complete Residency Credits

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

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

Careers for Ph.D. in Sociology Graduates

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

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

Sociology Professor

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

Human Resources Manager

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

Sociologist

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

Social and Community Service Managers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Related Degrees & Majors

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