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Sociology Ph.D.

[For more information on the Sociology Graduate Program at UC Merced please visit the Sociology website]

Overview

Graduate training in Sociology offers individualized, research-based, substantive training in intersectional social inequalities (race/ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexuality); political sociology and social movements; immigration; health and environmental sociology; education; and organizations and institutions. Students gain expertise in sociology theory and both quantitative and qualitative research methods. 

The deadline for applications is January 15th. Applications are accepted for the Fall semester only. Applicants are encouraged to examine Sociology faculty web pages and publications to ensure that their research interests are a good fit for our faculty expertise and training. Applicants must provide evidence of an undergraduate grade point average no lower than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (describing research interests and career goals), a personal history statement, and an academic writing sample will be evaluated by the admissions committee to determine an applicant's potential for success in graduate education. Foreign students from non-English speaking countries must also take TOEFL and TSE exams. Students are only admitted to Sociology to work toward a Ph.D. degree. However, students may earn a M.A. degree en route to their Ph.D. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Synthesize, critique, apply, and extend major sociological theories.
  2. Critique and evaluate qualitative and quantitative sociological research methods.
  3. Design and conduct independent research that makes an original contribution to sociological knowledge.
  4. Synthesize, critique, and identify extensions to previous empirical and theoretical work in at least two substantive areas of the discipline.
  5. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, about sociological theories, arguments, methods, and concepts.
  6. Be socialized into the profession. This can include attending a conference, organizing a session, presenting research, reviewing a journal article, peer mentoring, and otherwise participating in the organizational life of the program.

Updated 2021