Department of Sociology
PhD Program
The PhD program in Sociology exposes students to substantive areas of specialization within the discipline 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.
The PhD represents a minimum of 60 hours of coursework and research credits beyond the MA/MS degree. Students complete at least 24 credits of coursework: four required courses and four elective courses. Required courses include SOC 680 “Advanced Social Research Methods” (Multivariate Statistics) or SOC 686 “Qualitative Research Methods”, one semester of SOC 681 “Selected Problems of Social Research” (Longitudinal Analysis, Categorical Analysis or Structural Equation Modeling) and two advanced seminars in two of the substantive areas of Sociology.
Each student writes a dissertation in an area of specialization within Sociology under the direction of a major professor and in consultation with members of an advisory committee. A PhD student selects a major professor by the end of the first semester in the program, and develops a dissertation proposal during the second year in residence. Following the submission of the dissertation proposal, the student’s advisory committee writes and administers the doctoral preliminary exam. This preliminary exam is designed to prepare students for independent work on their dissertation project. Students are encouraged to publish and to teach as they work toward the doctorate.
The summary below shows a schedule for completing coursework, the preliminary examination, the dissertation research, and the final oral examination.
First Semester
SOC 680 “Advanced Social Research Methods” (Multivariate Statistics) or SOC 686 “Qualitative Research Methods”
600-level Seminar
Elective
Select major professor and draft PhD plan of study
Second Semester
SOC 681 “Selected Problems of Social Research” (Longitudinal Analysis, Categorical Analysis or Structural Equation Modeling)
600-level Seminar
Elective
Third Semester
Electives and Research Hours
Submit PhD plan of study for final approval by advisory committee and Graduate School
Obtain Human Research Subjects approval or exemption
Draft dissertation proposal
Fourth Semester
Electives and Research Hours
Complete preliminary examination
Fifth Semester
Dissertation Research and Writing
Sixth Semester
Dissertation Research and Writing
PhD Final Exam
For detailed information regarding the PhD requirements, please see our Graduate Student Manual for Sociology.
Questions? Please contact our Academic Services Coordinator, Laura Thompson, at lauralyn@purdue.edu or (765) 494-4673.