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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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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Introduction to Social Statistics | 3 | |
| Theories of Society | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Theory | 3 | |
| Linear Models for the Social Sciences | 4 | |
| Proseminar In Sociology | 1 | |
| Sociological Analysis | 3 | |
| Qualitative Research Methods: Domestic and International Fieldwork | 2-4 | |
| or | Categorical Data Analysis | |
| or | Sem:Panel Data Analysis | |
| or | Macro-Comparative Research | |
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.
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Our faculty encourages you to become a creative independent researcher. During your graduate career, you will read broadly across fields and generate work that is theoretically, empirically, and analytically rigorous. The program provides advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as mixed methods.
Students in the program have conducted research on a variety of projects, including investigating food insecurity in Atlanta, the social effects of climate change, and community policing in a public housing project.
The program has an excellent placement record with graduates securing faculty positions at institutions such as Stanford University, Yale School of Management, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago, and University of Toronto. Others have gone on to non-academic careers at organizations such as The Urban Institute, Abt Associates, and Facebook.
Related Programs
Students considering the PhD program in sociology may also be interested in the PhD programs in Sociology and Social Policy or Organizational Behavior , both of which are offered jointly with the Department of Sociology . Students who wish to apply to one of these programs in addition to the PhD program in sociology may do so.
Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Sociology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .
Admissions Requirements
Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Sociology .
Writing Sample
A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be a term paper, senior thesis, master’s essay, or similar written work. Citations and references are not included in the page limit.
Personal Statement
Standardized tests.
GRE General: Required
Theses and Dissertations
Theses & Dissertations for Sociology
See list of Sociology faculty
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Questions about the program.
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.
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
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Madison, WI | |
| 17 | Ithaca, NY | |
| 18 | Providence, RI | |
| 19 | New York, NY | |
| 20 | New York, NY | |
| 21 | Ann Arbor, MI | |
| 22 | Champaign, IL | |
| 23 | Charlottesville, VA | |
| 24 | Atlanta, GA | |
| 25 | Columbus, OH |
Sociology by Region
| 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.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 577 |
Majors Similar to Sociology
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 1,248 | |
| 654 | |
| 469 | |
| 249 | |
| 108 | |
| 73 | |
| 24 | |
| 14 | |
| 9 | |
| 6 |
Notes and References
Popular reports, compare your school options.
Graduate Program
Graduate program in sociology.
The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise. Berkeley welcomes a wide diversity of students with far-ranging research interests and equips them with the sociological training, resources, and supportive community necessary to succeed in academia and beyond. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas.
Factors distinguishing our graduate program from others nationwide include: 1) our rigorous training in general social theory, 2) our emphasis on public sociology and social justice, and 3) our embeddedness in a vibrant interdisciplinary community. Our emphasis on social theory is demonstrated by our required graduate theory sequence, elective theory courses, qualifying examination in theory, and teaching opportunities within Berkeley’s undergraduate theory sequence. As a department, we also maintain an abiding focus on public sociology and offer a number of fellowships, grants, and awards for students pursuing research that advances social justice. Finally, beyond the department, many students and faculty engage with university-wide institutes and clusters including the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, the Institute of Governmental Studies, the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, the Latin America research cluster, and many others.
Students admitted to Berkeley sociology receive a competitive funding package which includes six years of full support (including tuition and a living stipend) through a combination of fellowships and teaching, with many opportunities to secure funding past year six. Additionally, students are mentored in the skills needed to secure nationally competitive fellowships. In the past dozen years, Berkeley graduate students were awarded nearly one-quarter of the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Sociology (53 of 226), almost double that of any other program. In addition, our students support their research with fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the Fulbright Graduate Student Program, and more. They also receive funding for their dissertation research from the National Science Foundation, the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, the Charlotte Newcombe Foundation, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the German Marshall Fund, and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
Berkeley graduate students receive mentorship to publish widely and influence the field. In the 24 years that the American Sociological Association has awarded an annual prize for the best dissertation in sociology, Berkeley graduate students have won a quarter of the time (6), far more than any other department. The “News” section of this site details some recent graduate student publications. Following completion of their Ph.D.s, Berkeley graduate students frequently end up publishing their dissertations as books. For example, the students who finished from 2000 through 2007 currently have 34 books published or in press.
Training in our department has prepared many of our graduates to obtain research and teaching positions in research-oriented universities; recent graduates currently hold faculty positions at Harvard, Michigan, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, UCLA, Columbia, Cornell, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCSF, UCSC, Syracuse, USC, Arizona, Washington, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, MIT, Georgetown, Boston U, SUNY Albany, UMass Amherst, William and Mary, Tufts and Oregon. Other students have taken jobs at more teaching-oriented schools, such as the Cal State campuses, Oberlin, Wellesley, Barnard, Boston College, Wesleyan and Sarah Lawrence. Outside the US, students have taken jobs at McGill (Montreal), University College (Dublin), Universidad Carlos III (Madrid) and Tsinghua (Beijing). A smaller but significant number have pursued careers in research institutes, business, government, and nonprofits.
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Explore brown university.
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 .
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COMMENTS
Madison, WI. #7 in Sociology (tie) Save. 4.4. Sociologists study a broad range of societal dynamics and their effects on people and individual attitudes. They may find jobs in community ...
The Ph.D. program is defined by a commitment to highly analytical sociology. The program trains graduate students to use a range of methods - quantitative and qualitative - and data - survey, administrative, experimental, interview, direct observation, and more - to answer pressing empirical questions and to advance important ...
Doctoral Degree Programs. The PhD program in the Department of Sociology at Stanford offers rigorous training in sociological knowledge and research methods, and prepares students to embark on successful professional careers in sociology. Our program prides itself on world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge research programs, and close interactions ...
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.
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 ...
This program is one of the top three sociology programs in the world and provides students with the tools to answer intellectual questions relating to the distribution of resources in society and to social organization. Our faculty encourages you to become a creative independent researcher. During your graduate career, you will read broadly ...
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 ...
11 Annual Graduates. $82,868 Median Starting Salary. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. 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.
Berkeley graduate students receive mentorship to publish widely and influence the field. In the 24 years that the American Sociological Association has awarded an annual prize for the best dissertation in sociology, Berkeley graduate students have won a quarter of the time (6), far more than any other department.
See the top ranked social science & humanities programs including criminology, economics, history, political science, english, sociology, and psychology.
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.
The 30 schools listed below offer the best PhDs in Sociology. To compile this list, we've considered factors like tuition costs, return on investment, and school reputation. In addition, every school on this list is accredited, and many are nationally ranked. All data comes from sources like:
This page contains links to 32 sociology Ph.D. programs rank-ordered in quality according to the Princeton Review's "Gourman Report of Graduate Programs" (8th edition). ... 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.
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 ...
The Ph.D. Program The Ph.D. program prepares students to conduct the highest level of sociological research. Graduates of the program go on to occupy research and teaching positions at top universities around the world as well as advanced positions in government and private industry.
Sociology is a multifaceted, ever-changing, and ever-relevant discipline. While undergraduate programs provide students with a brief understanding of many subfields within sociology, those who are dedicated to thoroughly understanding certain areas of the discourse usually pursue their Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology. Often, graduate programs not only allow but actively encourage students to ...
Ph.D. Program. Key to the doctoral training offered by the NYU Department of Sociology is a distinguished faculty doing cutting-edge research on topics important to theory and policy. The faculty includes individuals using diverse perspectives and methodological approaches. Thus, the selective cohort of 9-12 students admitted each year receives ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Funding. 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 ...
So I went to a top 5 program and, as interesting volunteer work one year, helped sort applications. Of course I took the opportunity to read a bunch of them here and there. there were probably 50 students with absolutely top notch grades and GRE scores. But NO ONE could write. It was pathetic.
That said, Johns Hopkins University has a dual program where you earn a Master's in Statistics while working on a PhD in Sociology. Also, Penn State and University of Pennsylvania are generally considered top-notch programs for Sociology. There's also Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of North Carolina ...
Find out more about our PhD in Sociology. The PhD in Sociology offers a broad span of research areas and expertise. From gender and sexuality to markets and capitalism, Warwick's Sociology department, ranked 9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2022), has an active and exciting research culture where you will receive specialist training.
The PhD Program in Geography at Rutgers emphasizes preparation for a research-oriented career in academia, public service, or the private sector. While most applicants to the PhD program have at least one prior degree in geography, applicants with degrees in other disciplines are nonetheless encouraged to apply. ... Rutgers Sociology is a broad ...
Choosing the right school is crucial if you embark on a nursing career. Our comprehensive guide spotlights the top nursing school in each U.S. state for 2024. From prestigious programs to hidden ...
Consistently ranked one of the top programs in the nation ; Participate in undergraduate research guided by renowned faculty ; Internship and study abroad opportunities; Career. With a Sociology degree, you can work in: Social work and counseling ; Probation and corrections ; Program support and recruiting ; Business management and human resources
SOC 680 (2) Writing for Sociology Graduate Students . ... • It is best to make the request during a faculty member's office hours or by appointment. This request can be asked in person or in a synchronous, on-camera, online meeting. ... graduate program coordinator, must be filed with the Office of Registration and ...
Key Takeaways. Multiple admission rounds give applicants flexibility. Showing commitment to a program is essential in any round. For very competitive programs, apply as early as possible.
The 36-year-old Gunn, who was one of the oldest qualifiers in the breaking competition, has a PhD in cultural studies and is a college professor at Macquarie University in Sydney.