Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Sociology prepares students for research and teaching roles in academia or research-based careers in public and private sectors. It offers specializations in criminology, health, social inequalities, and social psychology. Core coursework includes advanced analysis, qualitative methods, and professional ethics. Students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination and defend their dissertation to earn the degree.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Ph.D. degree in Sociology provides students with advanced training for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in both the public and private sectors. The program offers specializations in criminology and deviance, the sociology of health and mental health, social inequalities (race, class, gender) and social psychology.
Outline:
- Major Requirements: degree earned at another institution must take this course. This course will not be waived.)
- SOC 72105 CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT: 3 credit hours
- SOC 72219 QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY: 4 credit hours
- SOC 72894 COLLEGE TEACHING OF SOCIOLOGY: 3 credit hours
- Electives: 316 credit hours (Students who have already completed a master's degree in sociology are required to take a minimum of 16 elective credit hours, 9 of which must be in a specialization area.)
- SOC 82199 DISSERTATION I: 230 credit hours (Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for this course for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for this course, and thereafter SOC 82299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. After completing the dissertation, students must successfully defend it in an oral examination. The exam will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student's specialty area.)
- Candidacy Requirement: To earn the Ph.D. degree, students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination. The examination will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student’s specialty area.
Careers:
- Social science research assistants: 5.8% faster than the average, 40,100 number of jobs, $49,210 potential earnings
- Sociologists: 3.6% about as fast as the average, 3,200 number of jobs, $86,110 potential earnings
- Sociology teachers, postsecondary: 3.8% about as fast as the average, 17,000 number of jobs, $75,610 potential earnings
Other:
The program offers specializations in criminology and deviance, the sociology of health and mental health, social inequalities (race, class, gender) and social psychology.
