Sociology, PhD
Science, Scientist, cultures, human, inquiry, social
Admission standards for this program are changing for Fall 2024 applicants. Interested students should contact the department for more information.
Engage in ongoing research projects with individual faculty, research teams, and research institutes and centers from throughout ASU.
The PhD program in sociology provides advanced training in theory, research methodology and substantive fields to prepare sociologists 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.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (6 credit hours) Theory (3 credit hours) Methods (3 credit hours) Statistics (3 credit hours) Elective and Research (54 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information A minimum of 30 credit hours of the approved doctoral program, exclusive of 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.
SOC 603 Perspectives in Sociological Inquiry (3)
SOC 685 Applied Social Theory (3)
SOC 585 Sociological Theory (3)
SOC 591 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
Other Requirements (3 credit hours)
SOC 791 Topic: Integrative Research (3)
SOC 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's department and the Graduate College, 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree are allowed to be used toward this degree.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in sociology or 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 master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- current resume or curriculum vitae
- personal statement detailing professional goals and research experiences
- writing sample
- three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic background
- 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 three pages or less, double-spaced, and it must address the applicant's professional goals and reasons for desiring to enroll in the program; describe strengths that will help the student succeed in the program and reach professional goals; describe 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 applicant's institution where undergraduate or graduate work was completed. 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.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Evaluate contemporary sociological perspectives in original written work.
- Apply sociological research methods to the analysis of data to create an original empirical research paper.
- Conduct research resulting in empirical papers that have an impact on relevant communities that are determined by the subjects of the research.
Professionals with expertise in research methodologies and data analysis as well as an understanding of cultural and social change, various social issues and phenomena are sought-after in many areas, including human services, business, education, public policy, and community service and nonprofit sectors.
Career examples include:
- demographers
- mediators
- research professionals
- social and community service managers
- sociologists
- sociology instructors
- urban and regional planners
Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics
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SS 144
graduatesanford@asu.edu
480-965-6875
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
