Department of Sociology
Graduate
The graduate program in sociology at Purdue University is intended to prepare students to become well-rounded researchers, scholars and teachers. The program offers students a well-balanced theory and methods core curriculum and an individualized plan of study designed to train students to conduct sociological research at the forefront of the field. We also offer a number of opportunities for graduate students to become first-rate classroom instructors. Please visit the list of Sociology Graduate courses to see what we offer.
In addition to the core curriculum, our program offers concentrated training in five areas of sociological specialization: family, sex and gender; health, aging, and the life course; law and society; politics and economy; and religion.
The first two years of the program, leading to an MS degree, focus on the core curriculum and one field of research specialization, and culminate in each student producing an original research product, the analytic project. Further study toward the PhD exposes students to other areas of specialization and emphasizes the development of greater depth of knowledge within the area that will be the subject of a student’s major research product, the dissertation. Students are encouraged to publish and to teach as they work toward the doctorate.
A small student-faculty ratio promotes occasions for graduate students to work closely with faculty members in their research, teaching, and publication activities. The department sponsors travel to professional meetings and a colloquium series featuring outstanding sociologists. The Graduate Committee organizes informal professional seminars and meetings to assist students in developing their plans for conducting research and teaching. The department maintains up-to-date computer hardware and software to assist the research process. The department also houses a 10-station CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) lab that is used for both faculty and student research.
Most students in the PhD program teach their own classes. Preparation for teaching is provided in part through assisting faculty in the classroom during the MS program and taking SOC 610: Seminar on Teaching Sociology. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of graduate teaching certificates offered through Purdue’s Center for Instructional Excellence. The department also maintains a library of teaching-related materials.
For more information, please contact the Academic Services Coordinator, Laura Thompson, at lauralyn@purdue.edu or (765) 494-4673.
Electronic Application for Graduate Study
Purdue University Graduate School