Sociology, M.A. and Ph.D.

Our MA program in Sociology is a focused yet flexible degree program, combining rigorous training in the theoretical and methodological foundations of sociology with investigations of various substantive areas from the study of race and ethnic relations, sociology of culture, social inequality and conflict, globalization and human rights, criminology, gender, youth, and the family. Beyond our foundational courses in theory and methods, our students chose from a broad range of sociology electives as they move toward their thesis work. To enrich their study in sociology, students may also take a limited number of electives in other university units, including Anthropology, which is part of our Department, the College of Health and Human Services, Women's Studies, Environmental Science nd Public Policy, Philosophy, the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Cultural Studies, and Public and International Affairs. Our M.A. in Sociology is intended to prepare students for employment or for further advanced graduate study at the doctoral level. Students leaving the program are well equipped to provide useful and timely knowledge on a host of social problems that have critical bearing on contemporary debates and decision making that occur within a variety of professional and public settings.

The core of our PhD program lies in Public and Applied Sociology, a growing field that aims to infuse sociological thinking into public debates and decisions by bringing theoretical and empirical sociology into direct dialogue with the practical realities of the social world. Building on this core, the program allows students to choose one of two distinct areas of specialization: Institutions and Inequality or Sociology of Globalization. While some of our graduating doctoral students will remain in an academic setting, many others will pursue employment in government at the local, regional and national levels, in non-governmental organizations, in international financial institutions, in health, law, marketing research firms, educational systems, non-profit foundations, and law enforcement agencies, all of which commonly look to sociologists to fill a variety of positions.

Admission Requirements

Sociology PhD

Accelerated Master's Program

Graduate Handbook

Guidelines for Drafting a Research Proposal

Graduate students in Steve Vallas'
Contemporary Sociological Theory course, Spring 2007.