Sociology, PhD

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A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology provides advanced training in sociological research and teaching, and prepares graduates for careers in university teaching and research, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Students may enter directly upon completion of an undergraduate degree (earning an M.A. along the way), or with a completed M.A. in sociology or a related field.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Ph.D. degree, students in the Sociology program are expected to be able to:

Synthesize and appraise the theoretical and empirical literature in a major area of specialization in sociology, concluding about important areas for future research.
Develop a sociologically significant research project that investigates multiple, related research questions.
Evaluate and defend the relevant theories and literature that informs the research project.
Statistically analyze empirical data from large social survey datasets to investigate multiple, related research questions.
Assess the strengths and limitations of analytical methods and to defend choices to use some methods over others.
Argue effectively to technical and non-technical audiences orally and in writing.

Admission Requirements

Deadlines for Fall is January 15 for priority funding consideration. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.

You may start this program with or without a Masters. If you do not hold a Masters, you will complete in your program of study.

Additional Documents required:

Three Letters of Recommendation
Professional Resume
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample

Please refer to your program’s webpage for specific details about the nature and content of the additional documents required.

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement.

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (22 credits)

Electives (27 credits)

Areas of Major Concentrations: Select one from A, B, C, or D.

A. Criminology /Deviance.

Required: SOC 6460
Select 4 courses from: SOC 6440 SOC 6450 SOC 6480 SOC 6490 SOC 7310 SOC 7430 SOC 7450

B. Family Studies

Required: SOC 6540
Select 4 courses from: SOC 5500 SOC 6530 SOC 6560 SOC 6580 SOC 7280 SOC 7310 SOC 7530

C. Population/Demography

Required: SOC 5200 SOC 6210
Select 3 courses from: SOC 6560 SOC 7190 SOC 7200 SOC 7260 SOC 7270 SOC 7280

D. Social Psychology

Required: SOC 6500
Select 4 courses from: SOC 5500 SOC 6440 SOC 6530 SOC 6540 SOC 7310 SOC 7380 SOC 7500 SOC 7530

Areas of Minor Concentration: Select one from E, F, G, or H or I.

E. Criminology/Deviance

Required: SOC 6460
Select 3 courses from: SOC 6440 SOC 6450 SOC 6480 SOC 6490 SOC 7310 SOC 7410 SOC 7430 SOC 7450

F. Family Studies

Required: SOC 6540
Select 3 courses from: SOC 5500 SOC 6530 SOC 6560 SOC 6580 SOC 7280 SOC 7310 SOC 7530

G. Population Studies/Demography

Required: SOC 5200 SOC 6210
Select 2 courses from: SOC 6560 SOC 7190 SOC 7200 SOC 7260 SOC 7270 SOC 7280

H. Social Psychology

Required: SOC 6500
Select 3 courses from: SOC 5500 SOC 6440 SOC 6530 SOC 6540 SOC 7310 SOC 7380 SOC 7500 SOC 7530

I. Quantitative Methods

Select 3 courses from: MATH 5410 MATH 5420 MATH 6570 PSYC 7610 PSYC 7620 PSYC 7680 SOC 7190 SOC 7200 SOC 7160 STAT 5020 STAT 6300 STAT 6340

Other Requirements

Optional electives

SOC 7850 - Readings in Sociology (maximum 9 hours)
SOC 7980 - Readings for Preliminary Examination (maximum 12 hours)

Culminating Experience (16-30 credits)

SOC 7990 - Dissertation Research

Minimum Total Credits (90 credits)

Additional Requirements

Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Maximum of 10 credits of 5000-level coursework may be counted toward degree requirements
Preliminary Examination or Project
Minimum of 16 credits of dissertation research (maximum of 30 credits of dissertation research are applicable to degree requirements)
Dissertation Defense and Publication of Manuscript on OhioLINK
All requirements must be completed within eight years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.