The purpose of the Ph.D. program is to train students as scholars and specialists in the field of Sociology. In addition to mastering a broad knowledge of Sociology, Ph.D. students should acquire expertise in particular areas of research. In the first two years of the program, students are expected to complete the course requirements, develop a proposal for dissertation research, and satisfy the doctoral candidacy assessment. The last years of the program are devoted to original research by the student under the guidance of the supervisor and the Advisory Committee. Students who graduate from the program must develop an intellectual maturity that is demonstrated in the ability to conduct independent research that results in a defensible doctoral dissertation that meets the approval of the Examining Committee.
Admission Requirements
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
- a cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in Master’s program)
For more information on language proficiency requirements, see the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.
Degree Requirements
Students must maintain continuous registration in the 996 course.
- GPS 960.0
- GPS 961.0, if research involves human subjects
- GPS 962.0, if research involves animal subjects
- dissertation defense
- doctoral candidacy assessment
A minimum 9 credit units, including the following:
- SOC 840.6 and SOC 841.6. If a student has already taken SOC 840.6 and SOC 841.6 or equivalent as part of a Masters degree, then that student must take 3 additional credit units of electives instead.
- SOC 891.3
- SOC 990.0
- SOC 996.0
- a minimum 3 credit units of electives, chosen in consultation with the Advisory Committee