Sociology, PHD


At a Glance: program details

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

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Sociology

In the Doctor of Philosophy program in sociology, students receive advanced training in theory, research methodology and substantive fields. They are prepared for teaching and research, with special emphasis on inequality and power; law and society; race and ethnicity; Latino sociology; health; and children, youth and families.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

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

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

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

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

Statistics (3 credit hours)

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

Elective and Research (54 credit hours)

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

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

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

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


Admission Requirements

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

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in sociology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

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

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. current resume or curriculum vitae
  4. personal statement detailing professional goals and research experiences
  5. writing sample
  6. three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic background
  7. proof of English proficiency

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

A personal statement is required. It must be no longer than three pages, double-spaced, and it must address the applicant's professional goals and reasons for applying to the program; describe strengths that will help the student succeed in the program and reach their professional goals; describe their research experience (a description of the master's thesis should be included, if applicable) and relevant responsibilities held; indicate personal research interests as specifically as possible; and include any additional information that will help the committee evaluate the application.

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

Students should see the program website for application deadlines.


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Application Deadlines

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type

Session A/C
In Person
December 1st
Final


Learning Outcomes

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

Career Opportunities

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

Career examples include:

  • demographer
  • mediator
  • research professional
  • social or community service manager
  • sociologist
  • sociology instructor
  • urban and regional planner

Program Contact Information

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