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Graduate Program

See Also: Graduate Courses

The Sociology Department offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy. The graduate program has concentrations in Criminology; Environmental Sociology, and Globalization and Political Economy. Both the master's and the doctoral program allow for the construction of individualized programs of study. New students are admitted in Fall semester only and applications must be received by the Graduate School by February 1 for full consideration for funding.

Admissions Requirements:

  • Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) scores.
  • Three letters of recommendation (along with the UT Graduate Rating Form)
  • Completion of the appropriate previous degree (baccalaureate, preferably with a major in one of the social sciences, for the M.A. program; master's degree in one of the social sciences for the doctoral program)

    Note: For links to the Department of Sociology application form, Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Handbooks, and the UT Graduate Rating Form, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Master's Program

A minimum of 30 hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including 24 hours of coursework and 6 hours of Thesis 500, is required. Students must complete Sociology 521, 531, Statistics 531, and one foundation course (504, 505, or 560). At or near the end of all coursework, the student must take an oral examination on course material and thesis. The examination will be administered by the student's committee.

The Doctoral Program

Coursework

Twenty-four hours of coursework beyond the master's degree are required (exclusive of S/NC credits). Twelve hours of course credit in Sociology at the 600 level are required. Students who enter the program without the courses required for the M.A. degree (521, 531, Statistics 531) or their equivalents must take them as remedial work which does not apply to their residence. Students must complete Sociology 622; 534, 633, or 636; and Statistics 532 or another advanced course in statistics. Completion of 9 hours in each of two concentrations is encouraged. A student who cannot achieve his/her educational goals within the department's concentrations may construct an individualized course of study subject to the approval of the student's doctoral committee and the Programs and Curriculum Committee. Sociology courses at the 400 level may not be taken without the consent of the student's advisor and the Programs and Curriculum Committee. Six hours may be taken in related fields without petitioning the Programs and Curriculum Committee for approval. The student's program may include a minor or cognate field.

Examinations

Written examinations in four areas are required (sociological theory, research methodology, and one substantive area). Doctoral students are eligible to take the theory and methodology examinations whenever offered.

Dissertation and Defense

A dissertation based on original research must be completed (24 hours). The candidate must pass an oral defense of the dissertation, including the theory and methodology related to the research, in accordance with the deadlines specified by Graduate Student Services

Environmental Policy Minor

The department participates in a program designed to give graduate students an opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary specialization in environmental policy. See Department of Economics for program description.

Gerontology Minor

Graduate students in the Department of Sociology may pursue a specialized minor in gerontology. This interdepartmental/interdisciplinary minor gives the student an opportunity for combining the knowledge about aging in American society with his/her major concentration. Please refer to Human Ecology for specific requirements.

Statistics Minor

Graduate students in the Department of Sociology may pursue a specialized minor in statistics. The requirements are: Statistics 537; Statistics 538; one additional Statistics course; and the service of a Statistics faculty person on the thesis committee.

Academic Common Market

An agreement among southern states for sharing graduate programs allows legal residents of some states to enroll in certain programs at UT on an in-state tuition basis. The M.A. program in Sociology is available to residents of the state of Virginia (concentration in criminology only); the Ph.D. to residents of Florida (concentration in criminology only) or West Virginia. Additional information may be obtained from the Administrative Services Assistant in the Office of Graduate Admissions.