The degree requirements consist of coursework, research apprenticeship, two comprehensive examinations, and dissertation. All PhD candidates are required to take: unless they or their equivalent have been taken previously. Candidates are required to take a minimum of four additional courses beyond the theory and methods requirements, at least two of which will be related to the student's area of specialization. It should be noted that specific courses can often serve for more than one area of concentration. Students must consult the Graduate Director to make a final determination of the requirements. Click here for our current course offerings. The Apprenticeship is taken during the first or second year of the program. The student will spend some 60 to 100 hours working closely with a given faculty member on a research project. No grade will be assigned except that the requirement has or has not been met. This non-credit course is required of all students in Sociology. Candidates are required to pass two comprehensive examinations, normally within the first two years of study. These comprehensives may be in any area of sociology. The major areas in the Department of Sociology currently are: 1) Social Demography, 2) Class and Change, 3) Health and Aging, 4) Sociological Theory, and 5) Methods and Statistics for Social Research. Faculty Members may develop a comprehensive area and reading list in addition to the major areas listed above provided that (a) the area reflects a broad, rather than a narrowly focused, area of sociology and (b) there are enough faculty members (usually three) to constitute an examining committee in this area. Such additional comprehensive areas must be submitted to the Graduate Committee for approval. While Sociological Theory and Methods and Statistics are possible areas for Comprehensive Examinations, all comprehensives will include related theoretical and methodological issues. It is possible for students to develop an area of concentration that combines the above areas in other ways. By the end of the second year of study, the student must have chosen an Advisor and at least one additional faculty member to form an Advisory Committee. Students in Sociology may submit their dissertation in either traditional format or in an "alternative format" in the form of three to five manuscripts that have been published or prepared for publication. That is to say, the manuscripts must be of "publication quality." The manuscripts must have a common theme, and the dissertation will include an introduction and conclusion, in addition to the manuscripts. No more than one of the manuscripts may be co-authored, in which case the student also needs to be the first author.Ph.D. Program Requirements
Coursework
Research Apprenticeship
Comprehensive Examinations
Dissertation
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