phd sociology best programs

You would be well advised to consult as many faculty members as possible for feedback on your top school choices before applying to graduate school. Admission to graduate school is competitive, so apply to as many schools as possible; have your friends, family, and academic advisors look over your application materials; and if you receive letters of rejection, don't lose your sense of !

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Top 150 Universities Worldwide Offering PhD Programs in Sociology

Here’s an introduction to the top universities and colleges around the world where one can pursue a PhD in Sociology, detailing their program offerings, notable faculty, and distinctive features.

• Program Overview : Harvard’s Department of Sociology is renowned for its rigorous theoretical and empirical study in sociological issues. The PhD program emphasizes comprehensive training in sociological theories and methodologies.
• Notable Faculty : Michèle Lamont, Matthew Desmond, and Bruce Western.
• Unique Features : Students benefit from resources like the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Program Overview : The DPhil in Sociology at Oxford offers specialization in areas like social inequality, demography, and political sociology. It focuses heavily on quantitative methods.
• Notable Faculty : Federico Varese, Melinda Mills, and Craig R. Cohen.
• Unique Features : Oxford’s sociology department is known for its research centers, including the Centre for Time Use Research and the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.
• Program Overview : Stanford’s Sociology PhD program encourages the use of software and data analysis tools in research, with strong emphasis on empirical research.
• Notable Faculty : Michele Lamont, David Grusky, and Robb Willer.
• Unique Features : The program offers joint degrees in sociology and computer science, and a hands-on research experience with Silicon Valley.
• Program Overview : The PhD in Sociology at Cambridge allows students to conduct pioneering research in areas such as gender studies, global social change, and media and culture.
• Notable Faculty : Bryan S. Turner and Jochen Clasen.
• Unique Features : The university boasts specialized research groups in areas like public health and social inequality.
• Program Overview : Chicago’s sociology department is one of the oldest in the US and is known for developing the Chicago School of Sociology. The PhD program emphasizes substantial methodological and theoretical contributions to the field.
• Notable Faculty : Elisabeth S. Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
• Unique Features : Students are encouraged to engage with interdisciplinary research centers like the Urban Network.
• Program Overview : MIT’s sociology program is integrated within the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, offering a unique approach that combines sociology with urban planning.
• Notable Faculty : Ezra Zuckerman Sivan and Christine J. Walley.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its focus on technology’s role in societal developments and data-driven sociological research.
• Program Overview : UC Berkeley’s PhD program in Sociology is famed for its critical studies and substantial academic rigor. It includes pathways like comparative sociology and the sociology of technology.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Voss and Raka Ray.
• Unique Features : The department frequently collaborates with other disciplines, offering broad exposure to different fields.
• Program Overview : LSE’s Sociology program offers a global perspective on sociological issues, emphasizing policy-oriented research that influences both academia and governance.
• Notable Faculty : Nigel Dodd and Mike Savage.
• Unique Features : The school hosts the British Journal of Sociology, one of the leading sociological journals globally.
• Program Overview : Yale’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program focused on areas like social control, social movements, and labor markets.
• Notable Faculty : Julia Adams and Jeffrey Alexander.
• Unique Features : Yale provides extensive resources like the Center for Comparative Research and the Center for Cultural Sociology.
• Program Overview : The University of Tokyo offers a unique perspective on sociology, particularly in Asian contexts, with a strong focus on empirical research and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Yoshimichi Sato and Takehiko Kariya.
• Unique Features : It provides a unique insight into the social dynamics of Asia, with a strong emphasis on Japan.
• Columbia University (USA)
• Program Overview : Columbia’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program that emphasizes the development of methodological rigor and theoretical clarity, covering topics from urban sociology to political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Shamus Khan and Vanessa Diaz.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its New York City location, which serves as a rich urban laboratory for sociological research.
• University of California, Los Angeles (USA)
• Program Overview : UCLA’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strength in areas such as race, ethnicity, and immigration, as well as global and transnational sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Darnell Hunt and Stefan Timmermans.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique interdisciplinary opportunities with other departments such as Asian American Studies and Gender Studies.
• University of Toronto (Canada)
• Program Overview : The University of Toronto offers a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with a strong emphasis on quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Notable Faculty : Monica Boyd and Patricia Landolt.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on social inequality and its multidisciplinary approach to research and education.
• Australian National University (Australia)
• Program Overview : ANU’s School of Sociology offers a PhD program that focuses on sociology of the environment, health, governance, and public policy.
• Notable Faculty : Kathryn Henne and Helen Keane.
• Unique Features : The program stands out for its research on sociological aspects of environmental change and policy.
• University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam’s Sociology PhD program is robust, with specializations in urban studies, sociology of families, and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Giselinde Kuipers and Jan Willem Duyvendak.
• Unique Features : Known for its critical approach to sociological issues and its engagement with European societal challenges.
• National University of Singapore (Singapore)
• Program Overview : NUS offers a globally oriented PhD in Sociology, focusing on Asian societies and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Vineeta Sinha and Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features : The program provides an excellent platform for understanding the social dynamics in Asia, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork and empirical research.
• University of Michigan (USA)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at Michigan is known for its strong analytical and research methodology, covering a wide range of topics including social stratification and health and aging.
• Notable Faculty : Alford Young, Jr. and Elizabeth Armstrong.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.
• University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
• Program Overview : The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology with strengths in digital sociology, social network analysis, and the sociology of science.
• Notable Faculty : Donald MacKenzie and Lynn Jamieson.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its research output and the critical approach to contemporary social issues.
• McGill University (Canada)
• Program Overview : McGill’s PhD program in Sociology places a strong emphasis on sociological theory and research methodologies with a focus on social inequality, gender studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Shelley Clark and Amélie Quesnel-Vallée.
• Unique Features : It offers a bilingual (English and French) research environment, providing a unique cultural perspective in sociological studies.
• Program Overview : UCT’s Sociology Department offers a PhD program that includes specializations in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on African social issues and its commitment to developing sociology within an African context.
• Princeton University (USA)
• Program Overview : Princeton’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program known for its focus on social demography, sociology of culture, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Paul Starr and Patricia Fernandez-Kelly.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its small, research-intensive environment that fosters close mentorship and collaboration.
• University of California, San Diego (USA)
• Program Overview : UCSD’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in the sociology of science, medicine, and technology, as well as inequality and social control.
• Notable Faculty : John Evans and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features : The department benefits from collaborations with the Science Studies Program and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies.
• University of Manchester (UK)
• Program Overview : The University of Manchester offers a robust PhD program in Sociology, focusing on areas such as social statistics, health sociology, and media.
• Notable Faculty : Tarani Chandola and Bridget Byrne.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in applied social research, providing students with opportunities to engage with real-world issues.
• University of Chicago (USA)
• Program Overview : Renowned for its contributions to sociological theory, the University of Chicago offers a comprehensive PhD program that covers a broad range of topics from urban sociology to the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Elisabeth Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
• Unique Features : The program encourages innovative, interdisciplinary research, often integrating methodologies from history, anthropology, and psychology.
• Leiden University (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : Leiden’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its focus on comparative sociology, social resilience, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty : Marcel Lubbers and Marianne van Bochove.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique emphasis on global challenges and the societal impacts of historical and contemporary movements.
• University of Sydney (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Sydney offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphasis on health, environment, and Asian social transformations.
• Notable Faculty : Alex Broom and Salvatore Babones.
• Unique Features : Its location provides a strategic advantage for studying Asia-Pacific societal trends and issues.
• University of British Columbia (Canada)
• Program Overview : UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on racial and ethnic inequality, environmental sociology, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Amin Ghaziani and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features : The department offers a rich interdisciplinary environment with close ties to the school’s public policy and global studies programs.
• University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)
• Program Overview : UCSB offers a dynamic PhD program in Sociology, noted for its strength in the sociology of gender, sexuality, and feminist theory.
• Notable Faculty : Verta Taylor and Kum-Kum Bhavnani.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its proximity to various interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Black Studies Research.
• University of Paris (France)
• Program Overview : The University of Paris provides a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with strengths in social theory, sociology of labor, and European social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Laurent Lesnard and Monique Pinçon-Charlot.
• Unique Features : The program is characterized by its deep theoretical engagement and its emphasis on European societal issues.
• University of Melbourne (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Melbourne’s PhD program in Sociology excels in the study of digital societies, migration, and urban planning.
• Notable Faculty : Nikos Papastergiadis and Sarah Pink.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research and has strong ties with the university’s architecture, urban planning, and media studies departments.
• New York University (USA)
• Program Overview : NYU’s Sociology PhD program is celebrated for its research on inequality, urban sociology, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Patrick Sharkey and Eric Klinenberg.
• Unique Features : The department offers excellent opportunities for field research in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.
• University of Oslo (Norway)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at the University of Oslo focuses on sociological theory, welfare studies, and migration.
• Notable Faculty : Katrine Fangen and Grete Brochmann.
• Unique Features : Its Nordic location provides a unique perspective on welfare and social policies that are model standards globally.
• Cornell University (USA)
• Program Overview : Cornell’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social inequality, demography, and labor relations.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Weeden and Victor Nee.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its association with the Cornell Population Center and the ILR School, enriching its labor and demographic research.
• University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Program Overview : The University of Hong Kong offers a PhD in Sociology with an emphasis on Asian and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Pun Ngai and Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features : The program’s location makes it a strategic site for studying social transformations in Greater China and Asia.
• University of Zurich (Switzerland)
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich’s PhD in Sociology is strong in the study of social networks, life course, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Hans-Peter Blossfeld and Laura Bernardi.
• Unique Features : The department emphasizes quantitative methods and models in sociological research.
• University of São Paulo (Brazil)
• Program Overview : USP’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its studies in social change, urban sociology, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique insight into Latin American social structures and dynamics.
• University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
• Program Overview : The University of Copenhagen offers a robust PhD program focusing on comparative welfare studies, environmental sociology, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty : Morten Axel Pedersen and Annick Prieur.
• Unique Features : Its Scandinavian location provides a special focus on social policy and welfare systems.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison (USA)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at UW-Madison is known for its strong emphasis on American sociology, particularly in areas like community and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Erik Olin Wright and Pamela Oliver.
• Unique Features : The department is famous for its historical commitment to “Wisconsin School” sociology, which blends empirical research with critical theory.
• King’s College London (UK)
• Program Overview : King’s College offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on biopolitics, science and technology studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah James and Mike Michael.
• Unique Features : The program is enriched by its central London location, which facilitates engagement with numerous cultural and political institutions.
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany)
• Program Overview : LMU Munich offers a PhD program that excels in the sociology of culture, social psychology, and the sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Armin Nassehi and Paula-Irene Villa.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and is well-connected with various research institutes across Europe.
• University of Texas at Austin (USA)
• Program Overview : UT Austin’s Sociology PhD program focuses on areas like social inequality, health sociology, and education.
• Notable Faculty : Robert Crosnoe and Jennifer Glass.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong quantitative research emphasis and close ties to various research centers, including the Population Research Center.
• University of Pennsylvania (USA)
• Program Overview : Penn’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its strengths in demography, urban sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Annette Lareau and Emilio Parrado.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from interdisciplinary connections with Penn’s schools of education, law, and business.
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam excels in critical sociology, focusing on areas such as gender studies, political sociology, and the sociology of migration.
• Notable Faculty : Jan Willem Duyvendak and Giselinde Kuipers.
• Unique Features : The program offers a rich interdisciplinary environment and access to extensive research networks across Europe.
• Program Overview : UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on social theory, environmental sociology, and the sociology of health.
• Notable Faculty : Neil Guppy and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features : The department encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research across multiple faculties and institutes.
• Program Overview : The University of Melbourne offers a PhD program in sociology that is particularly strong in the sociology of media, urban sociology, and cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : John Murphy and Lisa Adkins.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations, providing practical insights into sociological issues.
• Peking University (China)
• Program Overview : Peking University’s PhD program in Sociology is renowned for its focus on Chinese society, social stratification, and rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Sun Liping and Lu Xueyi.
• Unique Features : The program provides unique insights into Chinese social dynamics and offers extensive fieldwork opportunities across the country.
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich offers a strong program in economic sociology, the sociology of law, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Hans-Peter Kohler and Marlis Buchmann.
• Unique Features : The department is known for its methodological rigor and strong statistical training.
• Seoul National University (South Korea)
• Program Overview : SNU’s Sociology PhD program specializes in Korean society, industrial sociology, and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Kyung-Sup Chang and Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features : The program provides deep insights into the dynamics of East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.
• University of Munich (Germany)
• Program Overview : LMU’s Sociology PhD program covers social structure analysis, cultural sociology, and the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Armin Nassehi and Rudolf Stichweh.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its comprehensive theoretical training and strong European sociological tradition.
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA)
• Program Overview : UIUC’s Sociology PhD program is known for its research in labor markets, racial and ethnic inequality, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Zsuzsa Gille and Kevin Leicht.
• Unique Features : The program offers extensive resources such as the Survey Research Laboratory and the Illinois Qualitative Sociology Review.
• University of California, Irvine (USA)
• Program Overview : UCI’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on immigration, race and ethnicity, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Rubén G. Rumbaut and Frank D. Bean.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research and is closely integrated with the Center for Demographic and Social Analysis.
• Program Overview : The University of Oslo offers a strong program in sociology of law, migration studies, and gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Grete Brochmann and Willy Pedersen.
• Unique Features : The program provides a distinct Nordic perspective on social policies and welfare systems.
• Program Overview : McGill’s PhD in Sociology emphasizes social statistics, urban sociology, and global health.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its bilingual research environment and strong international collaborations.
• Stockholm University (Sweden)
• Program Overview : Stockholm University’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in social demography, labor markets, and welfare studies.
• Notable Faculty : Sunnee Billingsley and Juho Härkönen.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from strong ties with various Swedish and European research institutes.
• University of Warwick (UK)
• Program Overview : Warwick’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that is well-known for its work on social theory, cultural sociology, and digital sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Akwugo Emejulu and Gurminder K. Bhambra.
• Unique Features : The department promotes interdisciplinary research initiatives and has a vibrant international student body.
• Program Overview : The University of São Paulo offers a comprehensive PhD in Sociology with strengths in political sociology, environmental sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Sergio Miceli and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in its analysis of Brazilian and Latin American societies.
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)
• Program Overview : U-M’s Sociology PhD program is known for its emphasis on social inequality, sociology of health, and population studies.
• Notable Faculty : Elizabeth Armstrong and Jeffrey Morenoff.
• Unique Features : The program is closely associated with the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.
• Program Overview : Edinburgh’s Sociology PhD program focuses on digital society, social inequalities, and global health.
• Notable Faculty : Lynn Jamieson and Richard Sparks.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong methodological foundation and access to Scottish social research networks.
• University of Delhi (India)
• Program Overview : The University of Delhi offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Indian society, rural development, and social stratification.
• Notable Faculty : Anand Kumar and Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth insights into the complex social dynamics of South Asia.
• University of California, Davis (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Davis’ Sociology PhD program is particularly strong in the areas of environmental sociology, social movements, and sociology of agriculture.
• Notable Faculty : James Smith and Laura Grindstaff.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its proximity to various state and national policy-making bodies in California.
• University of Minnesota (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Minnesota’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on inequality, demography, and global sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Douglas Hartmann and Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in sociological research methods and offers extensive training in statistical analysis.
• University of Bristol (UK)
• Program Overview : Bristol’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that explores modern social problems through quantitative and qualitative research, particularly focusing on policy impact and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Tariq Modood and Mhairi Mackenzie.
• Unique Features : The department is part of several interdisciplinary research centers, fostering a vibrant academic community.
• Program Overview : NUS provides a PhD in Sociology with specialties in family and demography, religion, and multiculturalism in Asian contexts.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong emphasis on Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.
• Program Overview : The University of Sydney’s Sociology PhD program specializes in digital cultures, health, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Alex Broom and Amanda Wise.
• Unique Features : The program’s strength is its interdisciplinary approach and its emphasis on public sociology.
• Program Overview : The PhD in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen focuses on social exclusion, welfare studies, and the sociology of emotions.
• Notable Faculty : Margaretha Järvinen and Nils Holtug.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique Scandinavian perspective on social welfare and policy studies.
• Program Overview : UCSB offers a Sociology PhD program that focuses on the sociology of gender, sexualities, and the environment.
• Notable Faculty : Verta Taylor and John Foran.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its activist scholarship and commitment to social justice.
• Program Overview : LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a wide range of sociological fields, including the sociology of education, migration, and urban studies.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from Munich’s strong network of research institutions and its vibrant student life.
• University of Auckland (New Zealand)
• Program Overview : The University of Auckland offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Pacific studies, social change, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Tracey McIntosh and Steve Matthewman.
• Unique Features : The program provides a unique insight into Pacific societies and is active in addressing urban and environmental issues in the region.
• Program Overview : Toronto’s PhD program in Sociology focuses on immigration, health studies, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Monica Boyd and Anna Korteweg.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from a highly diverse urban environment that serves as a living laboratory for sociological research.
• University of Illinois at Chicago (USA)
• Program Overview : UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, race and ethnic relations, and global social change.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Krysan and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features : The program offers an urban public research setting with strong community ties and a focus on applied sociology.
• University of Arizona (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Arizona offers a PhD in Sociology with strong programs in environmental sociology, the sociology of health, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Jennifer Earl and Ronald Breiger.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its integration with other research units like the Institute of Environment and the School of Government and Public Policy.
• Program Overview : Manchester’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social inequalities, digital societies, and global health.
• Notable Faculty : Bridget Byrne and Nick Crossley.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from strong research networks and centers, particularly in health sociology and social statistics.
• Program Overview : UCSD offers a PhD in Sociology that is particularly strong in science and technology studies, sociology of culture, and comparative and historical sociology.
• Notable Faculty : John Skrentny and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research with strong ties to the Science Studies Program.
• Program Overview : The University of Oslo offers a PhD program specializing in the sociology of welfare and public policy, migration studies, and social theory.
• Unique Features : The program is noted for its Nordic perspective on social research and policy.
• University of Alberta (Canada)
• Program Overview : The University of Alberta’s PhD program in Sociology is recognized for its work in the sociology of family, health sociology, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Lisa Strohschein and Harvey Krahn.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from close collaboration with the Population Research Laboratory.
• King’s College London (UK)
• Program Overview : King’s College offers a PhD program in Sociology with strong emphases on urban studies, biopolitics, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah James and Mike Savage.
• Unique Features : The department is active in public sociology and engages with various social issues in metropolitan London.
• University of Colorado Boulder (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Boulder offers a Sociology PhD that focuses on environmental sociology, the sociology of emotions, and inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Lori Hunter and Leslie Irvine.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its commitment to public sociology and its strong environmental research focus.
• University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• Program Overview : UCT’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
• Unique Features : The program provides a critical perspective on social issues affecting Africa, with a strong emphasis on social justice and transformation.
• University of Vienna (Austria)
• Program Overview : The University of Vienna offers a PhD in Sociology focusing on social integration, migration, and European societies.
• Notable Faculty : Christian Fleck and Ulrike Felt.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a European focus.
• University of New South Wales (Australia)
• Program Overview : UNSW’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its research on social policy, health sociology, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah Lupton and Martin Holt.
• Unique Features : The program encourages an interdisciplinary approach and has strong ties with the Social Policy Research Centre.
• University of Leiden (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : Leiden University’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its strong focus on cultural sociology, globalization, and social cohesion.
• Notable Faculty : Marcel Lubbers and Evelien Tonkens.
• Unique Features : The program offers a broad international perspective, with extensive opportunities for collaborative research across Europe.
• University of Florida (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Florida offers a PhD in Sociology with specialties in criminology, environmental sociology, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty : Joe Feagin and Tanya Koropeckyj-Cox.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong methodological training and for fostering interdisciplinary research across various academic units.
• Program Overview : Warwick’s Sociology department provides a PhD program focusing on social theory, digital sociology, and international development.
• Notable Faculty : Nickie Charles and Maria do Mar Pereira.
• Unique Features : The program is part of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, offering innovative approaches to sociological research.
• University of Groningen (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : The University of Groningen’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social networks, population studies, and social justice.
• Notable Faculty : Rafael Wittek and Melinda Mills.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from the university’s strong emphasis on quantitative methods and its leading role in social network analysis in Europe.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA)
• Program Overview : UNC Chapel Hill’s Sociology PhD program is well-known for its research in social movements, health sociology, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Andrew Perrin and Lisa Pearce.
• Unique Features : The program fosters a collaborative research environment with access to numerous interdisciplinary research centers.
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich offers a PhD in Sociology with a strong emphasis on social networks, life course studies, and social stratification.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its methodological rigor and excellent statistical training.
• Program Overview : UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, social movements, and global and transnational issues.
• Notable Faculty : Saskia Sassen and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features : The program’s urban setting offers rich opportunities for field research in one of America’s largest cities.
• University of Queensland (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Queensland offers a PhD program in sociology focusing on social change, health sociology, and the sociology of gender.
• Notable Faculty : Gert Stulp and Claudio V. Torres.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong ties to various research institutes, providing ample opportunities for practical engagement.
• University of California, Santa Cruz (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Santa Cruz’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its critical approach to global and social issues including social justice, environmental change, and race and ethnic studies.
• Notable Faculty : Herman Gray and Jenny Reardon.
• Unique Features : The program is uniquely positioned to integrate sociological research with issues of technology and social justice.
• Program Overview : The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology that focuses on culture and creativity, social inequalities, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty : Lynn Jamieson and Gillian Rose.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its historical and cultural context, providing a rich backdrop for sociological research.
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on urban studies, migration, and social networks.
• Unique Features : The program is especially strong in European social research and offers rich opportunities for cross-national studies.
• Ohio State University (USA)
• Program Overview : OSU’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its research in social stratification, race and ethnicity, and demography.
• Notable Faculty : Vincent Roscigno and Claudia Buchmann.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from affiliations with multiple research centers, including the Institute for Population Research.
• University of Stockholm (Sweden)
• Program Overview : Stockholm University offers a PhD program that specializes in welfare research, labor market studies, and social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Magnus Bygren and Sunnee Billingsley.
• Unique Features : The program’s Nordic setting provides a unique perspective on welfare state dynamics and social policies.
• University of California, Berkeley (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Berkeley’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strong emphasis on theoretical and empirical research in areas like social inequality, political sociology, and organizational behavior.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Voss and Irene Bloemraad.
• Unique Features : The program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments and research institutes.
• Program Overview : LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a broad range of sociological fields, including sociology of religion, migration studies, and social structures.
• Unique Features : The program is noted for its critical theoretical approaches and strong European sociological tradition.
• Program Overview : UT Austin offers a Sociology PhD program focusing on areas such as family dynamics, social psychology, and health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Robert Crosnoe and Debra Umberson.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong quantitative research orientation and its interdisciplinary collaborations across campus.
• Program Overview : UBC’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its work in areas such as gender studies, environmental sociology, and racial and ethnic relations.
• Unique Features : The program encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research, particularly with its ties to the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
• Program Overview : The University of Copenhagen offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphases on quantitative methods, migration studies, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Nils Holtug and Christian Albrekt Larsen.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its Scandinavian context, which is known for its innovative social research and welfare studies.
• Rutgers University (USA)
• Program Overview : Rutgers’ Sociology PhD program offers specialties in health sociology, social movements, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty : Patricia Roos and Lee Clarke.
• Unique Features : The program is highly interdisciplinary and benefits from proximity to diverse urban environments for empirical research.
• Program Overview : The University of Queensland’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social change, digital media, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Greg Marston and Xiaoying Qi.
• Unique Features : The program offers strong links with government and non-government organizations, enhancing practical engagement and policy impact.
• Focus : Family and demography, religion, multiculturalism.
• Notable Faculty : Vineeta Sinha, Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.
• Focus : Chinese society, social stratification, rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Sun Liping, Lu Xueyi.
• Tsinghua University (China)
• Focus : Urban sociology, social policy, inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Guo Yuhua, Shen Yuan.
• Unique Features : The program integrates urban studies with social policy, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding contemporary Chinese society.
• University of Tokyo (Japan)
• Focus : Social theory, empirical research, social dynamics in Asia.
• Notable Faculty : Yoshimichi Sato, Takehiko Kariya.
• Unique Features : The program offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration and extensive research opportunities in Asian social issues.
• Kyoto University (Japan)
• Focus : Comparative sociology, cultural studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Jun Ikeno, Shigeto Sonoda.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes a comparative approach, integrating cultural studies with social change in Asian contexts.
• Focus : Korean society, industrial sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Kyung-Sup Chang, Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features : The program provides deep insights into East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.
• Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Focus : Migration, social stratification, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Ray Yep, Alvin So.
• Unique Features : The program offers a rich blend of theoretical and applied research, with a focus on migration and social change in Greater China.
• Fudan University (China)
• Focus : Urban studies, economic sociology, social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Gu Xin, Wu Xiaogang.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong urban studies component and its integration with economic sociology.
• Focus : Comparative sociology, public policy, social research methods.
• Notable Faculty : Pun Ngai, Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on public policy and its robust methodological training.
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (India)
• Focus : Indian society, social movements, development sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Anand Kumar, Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its critical approach to development sociology and its focus on social movements in India.
• National Taiwan University (Taiwan)
• Focus : Political sociology, cultural sociology, social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Wei-hsin Yu, Chin-Chun Yi.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique perspective on Taiwanese and East Asian societies, with strong international research collaborations.
• University of Malaya (Malaysia)
• Focus : Ethnicity, development studies, sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Syed Farid Alatas, Abdul Rahman Embong.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth insights into Malaysian society, with a focus on ethnic relations and development.
• Yonsei University (South Korea)
• Focus : Social change, family sociology, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Hyunjoon Park, Eun Mee Kim.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes empirical research and offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other social sciences.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India)
• Focus : Sociology of technology, urban sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Arup Maharatna, Anagha Tambe.
• Unique Features : The program combines technological studies with sociological research, providing a unique interdisciplinary approach.
• Korea University (South Korea)
• Focus : Social stratification, education, labor studies.
• Notable Faculty : Chul-Kyoo Kim, Yean-Ju Lee.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its strong focus on social inequalities and labor market research.
• University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines)
• Focus : Development sociology, gender studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Ricardo Jose, Teresa Encarnacion Tadem.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong emphasis on Philippine society and culture, with extensive fieldwork opportunities.
• City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Focus : Urban sociology, migration, social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Ray Forrest, Linda Wong.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its focus on urban studies and social policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social issues in Hong Kong.
• Zhejiang University (China)
• Focus : Rural sociology, social development, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Wu Xu, Zhang Weiying.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into rural development and social change in China, with a strong focus on empirical research.
• Osaka University (Japan)
• Focus : Sociology of education, social networks, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : Hiroshi Ishida, Yuko Tsukamoto.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes cross-cultural studies and social network analysis, providing a broad understanding of sociological issues in Japan.
• University of Indonesia (Indonesia)
• Focus : Urbanization, social policy, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Iwan Pranoto, Wening Udasmoro.
• Unique Features : The program provides a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Indonesia, with a strong focus on gender studies.
• Focus : African sociology, social change, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Jeremy Seekings, Nicoli Nattrass.
• University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
• Focus : Development sociology, labor studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Vishwas Satgar, Devan Pillay.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its focus on development issues and labor studies in the African context.
• Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
• Focus : Social inequality, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Lindy Heinecken, Cherryl Walker.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes rural sociology and educational research, providing unique insights into South African society.
• University of Nairobi (Kenya)
• Focus : Development studies, urbanization, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Karuti Kanyinga, Winnie Mitullah.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong emphasis on development and urbanization issues in East Africa, with a focus on gender studies.
• Makerere University (Uganda)
• Focus : Social policy, rural development, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Edward Kirumira, Josephine Ahikire.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its research on rural development and social policy in Uganda.
• University of Ghana (Ghana)
• Focus : Sociology of development, social stratification, migration studies.
• Notable Faculty : Nana Apt, Akosua Adomako Ampofo.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth research opportunities in West African social issues, with a strong emphasis on development and migration.
• University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
• Focus : Development sociology, gender studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Olabisi Aina, Olayinka Omigbodun.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong focus on development and health issues in Nigeria, providing a critical perspective on African social dynamics.
• University of Botswana (Botswana)
• Notable Faculty : Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo, Joseph Tlou.
• Unique Features : The program offers a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Botswana, with a strong focus on gender studies.
• Cairo University (Egypt)
• Focus : Urban studies, social policy, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Ahmed Zayed, Heba Raouf Ezzat.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on urban issues and family dynamics in the Middle Eastern context.
• University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
• Focus : Development studies, rural sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Nuhu Hatibu Senkoro, Martha Qorro.
• Unique Features : The program offers a deep understanding of social change and development issues specific to East Africa.
• Focus : Social change, urban sociology, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda, Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into Brazilian social structures and urban dynamics.
• Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile)
• Focus : Social policy, development sociology, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : Eduardo Valenzuela, Teresa Matus.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes applied sociology and public policy, with a strong focus on Chilean and Latin American contexts.
• University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Focus : Urban studies, labor sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Gabriel Kessler, Maristella Svampa.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its critical approach to social movements and labor issues in Argentina.
• Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Focus : Environmental sociology, urban sociology, social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Michel Misse, Moema Miranda.
• Unique Features : The program provides comprehensive training in environmental and urban sociology, focusing on social inequalities in Brazil.
• University of the Andes (Colombia)
• Focus : Social policy, conflict studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Rodrigo Uprimny, Angelika Rettberg.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong focus on conflict resolution and social policy in Colombia and Latin America.
• Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
• Focus : Development sociology, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Heloisa Salles Pereira, Luciana Andrade.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes rural development and educational research, providing unique insights into Brazilian society.
• National University of San Marcos (Peru)
• Focus : Social change, indigenous studies, urbanization.
• Notable Faculty : Rolando Ames, Isabel Coral Cordero.
• Unique Features : The program provides a critical perspective on indigenous issues and urbanization in Peru.
• Federal University of Bahia (Brazil)
• Focus : Cultural studies, race and ethnicity, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Jocélio Teles dos Santos, Marilene Corrêa.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on cultural studies and race relations in Brazil.
• Central University of Venezuela (Venezuela)
• Focus : Social policy, development studies, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Margarita López Maya, Hector Briceño.
• Unique Features : The program provides extensive research opportunities in social policy and development within the Venezuelan context.
• University of Santiago (Chile)
• Focus : Sociology of education, urban studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty : José Joaquín Brunner, Manuel Antonio Garretón.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes educational research and urban sociology, offering a comprehensive understanding of social change in Chile.
• Thammasat University (Thailand)
• Focus : Development studies, political sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Thanet Aphornsuvan.
• Unique Features : The program offers critical insights into Southeast Asian development issues and political movements.
• Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
• Focus : Cultural sociology, social inequality, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Naruemon Thabchumpon, Chalidaporn Songsamphan.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes cultural and urban studies with a focus on social inequalities in Thailand.
• University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)
• Focus : Post-conflict studies, development sociology, migration.
• Notable Faculty : Siri Hettige, Premakumara de Silva.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on post-conflict societal issues and development in Sri Lanka.
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)
• Focus : Social stratification, sociology of religion, migration.
• Notable Faculty : Vered Kraus, Moshe Semyonov.
• Unique Features : The program provides a comprehensive approach to social stratification and migration studies, particularly in the Middle Eastern context.
• University of Haifa (Israel)
• Focus : Peace and conflict studies, social networks, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Gad Barzilai, Ayala Emmett.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into peace and conflict resolution, with a strong emphasis on social network analysis.

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2024 Best Sociology Doctor's Degree Schools

Choosing a great sociology school for your doctor's degree, overall quality is a must, average early-career salaries, other factors we consider, one size does not fit all, best schools for doctorate students to study sociology in the united states, 15 top schools for a doctorate in sociology.

Sociology doctor's degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley receive an earnings boost of approximately $10,095 above the typical earnings of sociology graduates.

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Sociology by Region

Other Rankings

Best associate degrees in sociology, best master's degrees in sociology, best value in sociology, best for non-traditional students in sociology, best online in sociology, most popular online in sociology, best bachelor's degrees in sociology, best overall in sociology, highest paid grads in sociology, best for veterans in sociology, most popular in sociology, most focused in sociology, rankings in majors related to sociology, sociology concentrations.

Majors Similar to Sociology

Notes and References

Popular reports, compare your school options.

Harvard is one of the world’s leading centers for training and mentoring the next generation of sociologists. The Department of Sociology offers several programs of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Sociology , the Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy , and the Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior .

The aim of the Graduate Program in Sociology is to prepare students for scholarly and applied research and for teaching in sociology. The program combines an emphasis on competence in social theory and research methods with opportunities for the development of each student's own interest.

Doctoral candidates are expected to achieve a solid proficiency in fundamentals that will enable them to teach basic and advanced sociology courses and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research. Students are trained in several sub fields of sociology in which the faculty has concentrations of expertise. Among these are social stratification and inequality (including race and ethnic relations), the study of complex organizations, economic sociology, political sociology, comparative/historical sociology, health and social policy, cultural analysis, urban sociology, criminology, and life course. The program includes a sequence of required courses on theory and theory construction, designed to acquaint every student with skills necessary for developing social explanations, and required courses in both qualitative methods and advanced statistics to familiarize students with techniques for collecting and analyzing data.

Sociology Faculty and Student Involvement in University Initiatives

For further information on the research topics that Harvard students have explored and the careers of some recent graduates, see Graduate Degrees Awarded .

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

Graduate Office

660 William James Hall

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

Email [email protected]

Phone 617.495.3813

Director  David Pedulla

Program Coordinator Jessica Matteson

Elena Ayala-Hurtado

Eun se baik, derick s. baum, matthew brooke, holly hummer, in jeong hwang, lauren taylor, joseph wallerstein.

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Ph.D. Program in Sociology

Director of Graduate Studies: Emily Rauscher

The Department of Sociology at Brown University offers outstanding doctoral training. Our graduate student community is small, enabling students to have fulfilling mentoring relationships with faculty and to collaborate meaningfully on research and teaching. Due to this advantage, we have partnerships with research centers and institutes across campus, including the Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC), the Watson Institute for International Studies , the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society , Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4) and Urban Studies , among others. As a result, Brown graduates have an outstanding record of research, publications, and professional accomplishment. The Department of Sociology through the Graduate School offers incoming doctoral students five years of guaranteed financial support , including a stipend and health and dental insurance subsidies, through mechanisms including fellowships, traineeships, and teaching and research assistantships.

For details, please see the Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook .

For program information, please see the Ph.D. Program Flyer .

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.

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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Ph.D. in Sociology

ONLINE APPLICATION APPLY NOW

about OUR PROGRAM

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

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

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

And if that wasn't enough, the UCI campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach, is the #1 university doing the most for the American dream ( New York Times College Access Index ), and a top 10 best value university ( Princeton Review ). And USA Today College ranked UCI the #8 best place to earn a sociology degree while U.S. News & World Report ranks UCI sociology #9 among public university programs in the U.S.

Learn more about sociology at UCI...

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

best value university - Princeton Review

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

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

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

FUNDING Admitted students receive 6 years of guaranteed funding.  

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

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

ENROLLMENT Full-time, on-campus with housing.    

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

JOB PLACEMENTS

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Read more about alumni job placements...

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

what makes us

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

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

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

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

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

So what are you waiting for?

APPLY TODAY

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

UCI Department of Sociology

Online Application

Department Chair

David John Frank   [email protected]  949.824.1117

Co-Graduate Director

Edwin Amenta   [email protected]  949.824.6800

Wang Feng   [email protected]  949.824.1417

Graduate Advisor

Jennifer Gerson   [email protected]  949.824.4074

connect with us

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Sociology, PhD

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

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

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

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

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

 Three electives must be in Sociology.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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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.

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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• Sociology Department Page
• MA in Sociology
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Sociology JD/PhD 

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

Requirements

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

Additional Requirements

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

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

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.

In The News

Recent PhD Graduate Taylor Braswell Secures Tenure Track Position

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

Northeastern research identifies inequities in exposure to PFAS in New Jersey drinking water.

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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PhD in Sociology

The PhD in Sociology offers a world-class programme of research study in sociology supervised by experts in their respective fields. The Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge is ranked first for Sociology in the  Guardian's Best Universities league table  and first for Sociology in the  Complete University Guide League Table 2024 . And the  QS World University rankings  list our departments as 2nd out of over 500 Sociology Departments across the world in 2023.

In the first year you are encouraged to take research methods courses offered by the Department and the  Social Science Research Methods Programme (SSRMP)  to build the methodological grounding of your individual research projects. 

The Department also offers a programme of seminars covering transferable skills such as academic writing, presentation skills and in-depth information about how to progress the PhD and the academic career. PhD students are supported by their supervisor and a faculty adviser.

Watch our open day video

The Programme

The course aims to provide all students with the skills they need to be professional researchers and academics. There is an organised programme of courses for first-year PhD students, which has three major components:

• Basic academic and research skills, designed to provide the essential tools of academic work
• The core training programme, which covers issues of social science research in general
• Issues of research specific to particular disciplines or areas of interest, and research design, including the integration of methodological, theoretical and substantive issues

The standard period for PhDs is 3-4 years full-time or 5-7 years part-time.    Click here for further information about part-time PhD studies .

Part-time PhD

The part-time PhD course is 5-7 years in length. 

• Part-time research students are expected to be in Cambridge for around 45 days per year, spread throughout the year, for lectures, supervision and other training.
• International students who require a student visa to study in the UK are expected to apply for the full-time programme. This is owing to the restrictions of a part-time student visa. The University will only sponsor a student visa for the part-time option if the reason for studying part-time is due to a disability. Further information is outlined on the  International Students webpages.

Meet our Candidates

What you can do with your PhD

Students who complete graduate programmes in Sociology have the opportunity to develop the analytical and writing skills to help them succeed in academia but also in careers such as health and social care, marketing and public relations, politics, and education, amongst others.

The Department of Sociology University of Cambridge Free School Lane Cambridge CB2 3RQ

Tel: 01223 (3)34520

Contact: [email protected]

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