Doctor of Philosophy - Sociology

The Doctor of Philosophy – Sociology offers programs designed for both (a) students holding a bachelor’s degree in sociology or a closely related discipline who have a strong record of academic success, are likely to be highly successful in graduate school, and who have a professional interest in, and commitment to, earning a doctorate in sociology and (b) students who have already earned a master’s degree in sociology or a closely related discipline, and who can demonstrate evidence of substantial expertise in sociology. This program trains students in advanced sociological concepts and applications, as well as advanced theoretical and methodological frameworks for conducting original research. In addition, students develop expertise in at least two advanced areas of specialization from among the department’s core areas of specialization. Sociology doctoral students also have the opportunity to participate in our pedagogy and postsecondary teacher training program. Graduates of this program are well prepared for academic research and teaching positions, as well as careers in applied and community sociology.

Educational outcomes for our doctoral program include: development of expertise in both classical and contemporary sociological theories, mastery of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis, development of specialized expert knowledge in at least two substantive areas, professional socialization, participation in professional organizations, oral presentation skills, familiarity with the process of academic publication, and cultivation of analytical research and writing skills which culminate in the ability to author an original doctoral dissertation of substantial depth and quality. Graduate-level course work in sociology is restricted to students with graduate standing or graduate provisional status in the department, or to those students who have obtained prior written consent from instructors of specific courses in which enrollment is sought and from the graduate coordinator. Please refer to the Sociology Graduate Student Handbook for additional updated information, policies, and procedures.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
   1. Post-Master’s tracks and Advanced Certificates require a regionally accredited Master’s degree.
   1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

   (b) Department Admission Requirements

   1. Applicants to the Post-Bachelor’s subplan must hold a bachelor’s degree in sociology from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants to the Post-Master’s subplan must hold a master’s degree in sociology, or an equivalent master’s degree, from an accredited institution in which you wrote and successfully defended a master’s thesis.
   2. Applicants must submit the following:
      1. At least 3 letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members who know the student’s work, evaluating the student’s ability to perform at the Ph.D.-level of study. These should include comments on the student’s academic performance, motivation, character, and promise for success in the Ph.D. program.
      2. A statement of purpose, written by the applicant that evidences all of the following: writing skills, professionalism, educational and professional/career objectives, and specific areas of interest in sociology generally, and in the UNLV Department of Sociology specifically.
      3. Writing Samples:
         1. Post-Bachelor’s applicants: Two original writing samples of substantial length and quality that indicate student’s writing and analytical skills, as well as sociological knowledge.
         2. Post-Master’s applicants: M.A.-level thesis or at least two original papers of substantial length and quality in an area of sociological inquiry solely written by the applicant.

         If you are interested in applying for a Graduate Assistantship, please be sure to indicate this in your written statement, and complete and submit the Graduate Assistantship online application.

         Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

         Plan Requirements

         See Subplan Requirements below.