PhD in Sociology
With a Ph.D. in Sociology, you can become a professor or research sociologist and study how people and groups relate. Find out how to earn this degree and what you'll learn as a doctoral student.
Do I Need a Master's Degree to Apply?
A Ph.D. in Sociology program builds on the coursework for a master's degree; however, some sociology graduate programs combine the master's degree and Ph.D. As an aspiring doctoral student, you have more programs open to you with a master's degree, but you can apply to some programs with only a bachelor's degree.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Prerequisites</b></td><td> Master's degree is typically required, but some programs may accept a bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Statistics, rules and ethics, sociology theory, interview techniques, demographic analysis</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Program Duration</b></td><td> Program takes anywhere from 4-8 years</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Financial Aid</b></td><td> Teaching assistantships can provide a stipend and cover tuition costs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Fully online programs are not typically available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Average Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $93,420*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 13% growth (<i>for all social workers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatClassesDoITakeForAPh.D.InSociology">What Classes Do I Take for a Ph.D. in Sociology?</h3><p>A sociology Ph.D. begins with a proseminar class to introduce new doctoral students to department faculty and academic sociology as a profession. In the first two years, you take theory courses and research classes in techniques like surveys, interviews, observation and demographic analysis. Statistics classes cover handling and crunching all that research data. You will probably also take a course from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on rules and ethics for research with human subjects. Elective seminars focus your classroom learning on a subfield of sociology.
</p><h3 id="section---HowLongDoesAPh.D.InSociologyTake">How Long does a Ph.D. in Sociology Take?</h3><p>In total, expect to take 4-8 years to earn a Ph.D. in Sociology. After 2-3 years of classroom study, you spend about a year preparing a qualifying paper and taking exams to advance to doctoral candidacy. As a doctoral candidate, you research and write your dissertation for 1-2 years before defending it to a faculty panel in a public forum.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIPayForAPh.D.InSociology">How Do I Pay for a Ph.D. in Sociology?</h3><p>Many programs have teaching assistantships that pay tuition and provide a stipend for living expenses while you earn your doctorate. The department may arrange or facilitate funding. In fact, some sociology programs only accept Ph.D. students whose funding is already in order through the university or other grants.
</p><h3 id="section---CanIEarnAPh.D.InSociologyOnline">Can I Earn a Ph.D. in Sociology Online?</h3><p>Since sociology doctorates involve human research and are built around a lot of interaction with professors and academic colleagues, very few if any programs are available online. Directed readings may fulfill some elective requirements without regular campus attendance. While researching and writing your dissertation, you may not need to visit campus very often except to meet with your advisor or advisory committee.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithAPh.D.InSociology">What Can I Do with a Ph.D. in Sociology?</h3><p>Graduates with a sociology doctorate usually either teach at a university or research social issues for government agencies or private organizations. Sociologists made an average of about $93,420in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p>