PhD in Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers only a PhD. We do not admit students to a terminal master's degree; however, students in the PhD program may earn a master’s degree on the way to their doctorate.
PhD Program at a Glance
- Job placement rate: 94%
- Average cohort size: 10
- Number of active students in program: 66
- Typical funding guarantee: 5 years
- A PhD typically takes 5-8 years to complete
Graduate students and faculty in the sociology department often focus their work in one or more research specialties.
PhD Degree Requirements
For your PhD, you will be expected to meet the following requirements:
- 14 credits of core requirements, 3 credits of advanced qualitative methods
- 12 credits from outside the sociology department related to your course of study
- 12 sociology credits
- 24 thesis credits
- Reading list
- Completion of preliminary written and oral exams
- Prospectus hearing
- Completion of the dissertation
- Final oral dissertation defense
Equity & Diversity in Sociology
We strive to provide a supportive environment for student scholars from varying racial, ethnic, religious, social class, sexual identity, and national backgrounds.
MA Degree Option
Students interested in completing a Master of Arts degree along the way may do so. A Plan B project is completed via the written and oral preliminary exams.
Graduate Minor in Sociology
If you are pursuing a graduate degree in another department, you may minor in sociology. Contact Becky Drasin at drasi001@umn.edu, sociology's graduate program associate, for more information about our graduate minor.