Sociology, Applied (PhD)

PhD Sociology2

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Sociology is committed to fostering diversity by considering factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, and social class in its graduate and undergraduate programs; as such, background factors and circumstances will be considered when reviewing applications.

While admission is not based solely on meeting—or not meeting—certain criteria, chances of admission are improved with the following:

• Graduate GPA of 3.5;
• Previous graduate course work in statistics, research methods, qualitative research methods, and survey research methods*;
• Completed thesis (or original independent work of research from another accredited graduate program); and
• International students should also have either a) TOEFL score of at least 213 (on computer-based test) or b) 79-80 (on the internet-based test) or an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or Duolingo score of 105.

*Students may be allowed to make up deficiencies or use equivalent graduate courses regarding these prerequisites.  Students who have completed similar courses in these areas may be asked to provide both the course syllabus and completed course work to determine equivalency. Students should contact Dr. Jonetta Weber to discuss any questions regarding these prerequisites.

In exceptional cases, students not qualified for regular admission may be conditionally admitted.

We encourage anyone interested in our graduate program to apply, regardless of grade point averages from undergraduate work or previous graduate work.  When making our admission decisions, we holistically consider GPAs alongside personal statements and letters of recommendation (and other materials), knowing that a low GPA can be offset by other personal strengths. We do, however, prefer individuals with undergraduate GPAs of 3.2 or above, and graduate degree GPAs of 3.5 or above.  We also encourage anyone who is considering applying to our graduate program to visit our department and meet with our faculty members and current graduate students.

Application Requirements

  • A graduate application
  • Official copies of transcripts from all colleges attended (students with a foreign transcript must submit an evaluation of the transcript from World Education Services (www.WES.org) or Educational Credentials Evaluators (www.ECE.org)
  • Three references (preferably from former instructors, and in sociology, if possible) in the form of a discursive letter of recommendation and completion of the University of Louisville Letter of Evaluation form
  • A curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
  • TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores (if an international student)
  • A writing sample (either the student's thesis or another work of original independent research)
  • A personal statement (500-750 words) addressing the points below and giving the Department's Graduate Committee a basis for evaluating the student's interest in and ability to complete the program:
    • Please explain your reasons for applying to the doctoral program in sociology at the University of Louisville.
    • Discuss your professional or occupational objectives and how you envision the department’s program fitting into those objectives.
    • Describe the areas of sociology you find especially interesting for study and/or research and identify the sociology faculty with who you might be interested in working.

Students may supplement their application file with GRE scores, but GRE scores are not required for admission. 

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for students not seeking funding is June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. (Late applications may be considered on an individual basis.) The Department of Sociology does not admit students during the summer session.

The application deadline for students seeking funding (including graduate assistantships) is January 5 of the preceding year for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. The materials must also be accompanied by a letter of interest (a) indicating that the applicant wishes to be considered for an assistantship, and (b) elaborating why the applicant is a good candidate for an assistantship.

Program Requirements

Year 1
Fall9-10
SOC 704 Proseminar in Sociology-PhD (only if SOC 604 Proseminar not taken in SOC MA Program) 1 hr
SOC 735 Classical Theory OR SOC 738 Contemporary Theory (rotating each year) 3 hrs
SOC 691 Topical Seminar OR an outside elective (topic will vary from year to year but focus on a social instiution) 3 hrs
SOC 665 Sociology of Gender, or SOC 675 Social Inequality & Stratification, or SOC 685 Race and Ethnicity (on rotating basis, offered every third year) 3 hrs
Spring9
SOC 710 Statistics II 3 hrs
SOC 740 Social Policy or SOC 691 Topical Seminar (these two courses will rotate each year; seminar topic will vary) 3 hrs
SOC 790 Independent Study OR an outside elective 3 hrs
Summer
SOC 706 Exam Prep (only taken by funded students) 3-9 hrs
Year 2
Fall9
SOC 715 Statistics III 3hrs
SOC 735 Classical Theory or SOC 738 Contemporary Theory (rotating each year) 3 hrs
SOC 665 Sociology of Gender, or SOC 675 Social Inequality & Stratification, or SOC 685 Race and Ethnicity (on rotating basis, offered every third year) 3 hrs
Spring9
SOC 740 Social Policy or SOC 691 Topical Seminar (these two courses will rotate each year; seminar topic will vary) 3 hrs
SOC 795 Dissertation Research 6 hrs
Summer
Doctoral Candidacy
Minimum Total Hours36-37