phd sociology dallas

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Sociology Ph.D.

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We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Why Earn a Sociology Ph.D.?

The objective of the Sociology program is to produce intellectually well-rounded graduates capable of functioning effectively in either an academic or a sociological practice setting, analyzing social groups and relationships between groups, and evaluating the influence of social and cultural factors on important social outcomes.

While enrolled in our doctoral program, you’ll have opportunities to work closely with faculty members in educational and research activities focusing on:

• Comparative and global sociology
• Development and social change
• Environmental sociology
• Marriage and family
• Health, illness and aging
• Race and ethnicity
• Social inequality and stratification
• Social media
• Sustainable societies
• Work and organizations
• Advanced oral and written communication
• Advanced quantitative/qualitative research design
• Advanced statistical analysis/interpretation
• Advanced analytical reasoning
• Conducting advanced research literature reviews

Sociology Ph.D. Highlights

What can you do with a sociology ph.d..

We train graduate students in the latest sociological theories, methods, and research in preparation for careers in higher education, marketing, social services, government, data science, health care and many other fields.

Sociology Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

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School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Master of science in applied sociology.

36 semester credit hours minimum

FACG> epps-applied-sociology-ms

Professors: Richard K. Scotch @scotch , Sheryl L. Skaggs @slskaggs

Associate Professors of Insruction: Carol Cirulli Lanham @ccl054000 , John Malek-Ahmadi @jhm110020

With an emphasis on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and social research skills, the Master of Science degree in Applied Sociology (ASOC) is offered under two different options: (1) the thesis option, which is primarily designed for students continuing on for a PhD in sociology or other social science program; (2) the non-thesis option, which is primarily designed to prepare students for careers in policy analysis, program development and evaluation, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. As public, private, and nonprofit organizations attempt to maximize their human and monetary resources, they often seek professionals with specialized skills to assess program demands and viability, evaluate program success, direct change and inform policy. Graduates of the ASOC program are trained to fill such roles and effectively apply their knowledge and skills in employment areas including healthcare, local, state and national government, nonprofit social services, community activism, marketing research, human resources, and business administration.

Although the MS in Applied Sociology is a terminal degree program, a number of our graduates have transitioned into UT Dallas' doctoral program in Public Policy and Political Economy, as well as external sociology doctoral programs throughout the country. Students planning to apply to a doctoral program are strongly encouraged to pursue the master's thesis option. The program is open to full-time and part-time students, with many of our classes offered in the late afternoon and evenings. Students may enter the program in the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Students have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University's computer labs. The school has four computing laboratories which have over 24-30 computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including EViews, R, RATS, SPSS and Stata. A computerized geographic information system, the LexisNexis database, and Westlaw are also available for student use. The University's computer labs provide personal computers and UNIX workstations. Many important data and reference materials are also available online via the library's and the school's memberships in numerous organizations.

NOTE> Please be advised, the admissions section below feeds in from a separate page. Any changes made to the admissions section below will not be retained. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Admission Requirements

The University's general admission requirements are discussed on the Graduate Admission page. The Master of Science in Applied Sociology (ASOC) seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education. Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students should have earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (on a 4.0 point scale) and optimally have a Graduate Records Examination (GRE) verbal score of 156 and a quantitative score of 152. Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Students should also submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining personal background, education, and professional objectives.

Prerequisites

There are no required prerequisite courses in sociology for the Applied Sociology program, although prior coursework in social theory, research methods, and social statistics is desirable. Prospective students with concerns about their preparation for the Applied Sociology program are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator.

Grading Policy

To qualify for graduation, students must have earned a grade of B or better in each of the program's core courses plus an aggregate grade point average of 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the student's degree program at UT Dallas.

Degree Requirements

The University's general degree requirements are discussed on the Graduate Policies and Procedures page.

Students may select the thesis or non-thesis option. The ASOC has three components and requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours.

Thesis Option

Course Requirements

• 15 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS
• 9 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives
• 6 semester credit hours of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) electives
• 6 semester credit hours of thesis research

The master's thesis is supervised by the student's major professor and the thesis committee, chosen in consultation with the major professor. The thesis committee may include a faculty member from another program with the approval of the major professor. Students are advised to consult with the graduate program director in selecting a major professor and thesis committee members. Students must pass a publicly announced defense of the thesis before it is submitted to the Graduate School. A passing grade on the defense is required in order to graduate. The date for the thesis defense should be early enough for required revisions (if any) to be made prior to the Graduate School deadline for submission. The thesis must conform to all Graduate School requirements.

Non-Thesis Option

• 18 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology and Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS)
• 9 semester credit hours of EPPS electives

The ASOC requires the completion of 36 semester credit hours: 15 semester credit hours of core courses in Applied Sociology, 15 semester credit hours of Applied Sociology guided electives, and 6 semester credit hours of electives from any graduate program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS).

I. Major Core Courses in Applied Sociology and EPPS: 15 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 18 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

SOC 6350 Social Stratification

Choose one course from the following:

EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

PA 7330 Research Design in Public Affairs

PPPE 6310 Research Design I

SOC 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance

EPPS 6316 Applied Regression

EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Orientation

SOC 6340 Domestic Social Policy

SOC 6312 Social-Economic Theories

SOC 5V92 Internship in Applied Sociology

SOC 6V92 Research Workshop in Applied Sociology

II. Applied Sociology Guided Elective Courses: 9 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 9 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)

Any graduate-level courses with a SOC prefix outside of the core may be applied to this requirement. Students may apply other graduate social science courses related to Sociology, including an appropriate graduate-level internship, with the permission of the program coordinator.

III. Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) Electives: 6 semester credit hours (Thesis Option) or 9 semester credit hours (Non-Thesis Option)

Any 5000 or 6000 level courses in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences may be applied to this requirement. Students are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator in order to select courses appropriate for their academic and professional career goals.

IV. Thesis Research (Thesis Option Only): 6 semester credit hours

For further information about the Applied Sociology Program see our see our web page or contact:

Betsy Albritton

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 972-883-6406

Dr. Richard K. Scotch - Program Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 972-883-2922

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School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

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A bachelor’s degree in sociology prepares students for a range of careers including social science and marketing research, social services, teaching, human resources, public relations and healthcare administration. Graduates also pursue advanced studies in law, social work, counseling, public administration,  public policy , and  criminal justice  and medicine. A master’s degree in applied sociology equips students with the research and analytical skills needed for careers in policy analysis, program development and evaluation and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. 

Our program includes the study of race and ethnicity, gender studies, data analysis, workplace structures and occupations, education and religious institutions. 

Sociology coursework provides excellent preparation for pre-health students planning to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which began including a section about the social and behavioral sciences in 2015. Our program offers courses in public health and society, epidemiology, global health, mental health and the aging society, which also can be taken for our public health  minor .

Students can receive guidance on preparing for law school through the  Pre-Law Advising and Resource Center . The Sociology Club offers opportunities for students to get involved and explore topics in sociology outside the classroom.

Sociology Undergrad Experiential Map

• BA in Sociology
• BA in Public Health
• MS in Applied Sociology
• Minor in Public Health

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Undergrad Fast Facts

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Najib Gazi BA’18 MA’19

I am still in touch with a number of classmates from my time at UTD.  Most of them were fellow teammates on law-related competition teams (mock trial or mediation), and when we’re all in town, we try to catch up over lunch or dinner.  We made so many great memories during our time together which has helped us maintain that bond even after graduating.   

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Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs

Program description.

The PhD in Public Affairs program is a rigorous, research-oriented degree offered through the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.

The skills and knowledge gained in the Public Affairs doctoral program will allow students to interface between the traditions of public management, public policy and organizations, while providing a strong theoretical and a practical appreciation for the challenges of maintaining and building institutions of governance and a civic culture in a complex democratic world.

Graduates of the PhD program will be prepared for research-oriented careers in academia, policy analysis, executive public and nonprofit management.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program seek positions such as: professor, researcher and policy advisor in government sector.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Degree requirements: The program only admits students who have completed a master’s degree from an institution of higher education. It is preferred that the master’s degree is in public affairs or social science.

GPA: A graduate GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or better is expected.

Test score required: Yes

Minimum verbal score of 156 and quantitative score of 152 on the GRE.

Letters of recommendation: 3

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) and three letters of recommendation from individuals (faculty, employers, community leaders, teachers, etc.) who are able to judge a student’s probable success in graduate school are required. The CV and the letters should be uploaded online.

Admissions essay required: Yes

Prospective students must complete the University’s online graduate application and submit a narrative outlining 1) academic interests, 2) current or long-range interests in research, teaching, or other professional objectives, 3) description of publications or other scholarly endeavors, and 4) listing of academic and professional organizations and fellowships, scholarships, or other honors received.

Deadlines:  Due to the cohort nature of the PhD program in Public Affairs, admissions are limited to the fall semester only. The application deadline for students seeking funding through assistantships is January 15. University deadlines apply.

About the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Every new generation inherits a world more complex than that of its predecessors, which prompts a need for new thinking about public policies that impact people’s daily lives. In the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS), we examine the implications of innovation and change for individuals and communities. The social sciences are where the world turns to for answers to the important issues of today and the future such as education and health policy, financial crises, globalization, policing, political polarization, public management, terrorism, and the application of geographical information sciences to study social, economic and environmental issues.

As an undergraduate in EPPS, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, non-profits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow. EPPS is at the forefront of leadership, ethics and innovation in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our students and faculty look forward to new opportunities to study and address the complex and evolving issues of the future. Research informs much of the instruction. The school has four centers of excellence:

• Center for Global Collective Action
• Texas Schools Project
• Institute for Urban Policy Research
• The Negotiations Center

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts : Criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , international political economy , political science , public affairs , public health , public policy , sociology

Master of Science : Applied sociology , criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , international political economy , social data analytics and research

Master of Arts : Political science

Master of Public Affairs : Public affairs

Master of Public Policy : Public policy

Doctor of Philosophy : Criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , political science , public affairs , public policy and political economy

Certificates

EPPS offers the following 15-hour graduate certificates, which generally can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes:

• Economic and Demographic Data Analysis : focusing on the understanding and application of quantitative analysis of demographic and economic data.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) : focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence : focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity.
• Local Government Management : designed to broaden knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators.
• Nonprofit Management : designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations and develop competencies needed by nonprofit managers.
• Program Evaluation : designed to provide students the opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice and economic development.
• Remote Sensing : focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing.

Contact Information

Patricia Pacheco Graduate Program Administrator Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-3548 Office: GR 2.402C

Degree Information Dr. Evgenia Gorina Associate Professor and PhD Advisor Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-3515 Office: 3.202

EPPS Advising The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W Campbell Rd, GR 31 Richardson, TX 75080-3021 [email protected]

epps.utdallas.edu/

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Graduate Degrees Offered

The University of Texas at Dallas offers 90 graduate degree programs across its seven schools.

Graduate Catalog

Find more information about graduate degrees in the current Graduate Catalog , along with Graduate Catalogs of  previous years . The semester of your official entry into a program determines which catalog requirements apply.

Academic Advising

Meet regularly with an academic advisor to establish and review your degree plan. Our listings of graduate degrees below provide key information for each program, including advisor contact information.

Degrees by School

Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology

Master’s.

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Professional.

School of Economic, Political and Policy Science

Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Naveen Jindal School of Management

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Alphabetical listing.

©  The University of Texas at Dallas Office of Admission and Enrollment 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021 (972) 883-2270

UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its programs and activities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, admission and enrollment. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Compliance .