Sociology, Applied (PhD)
Equips students to become expert researchers addressing societal challenges. Coursework includes advanced theory, statistics, social policy, topical seminars and dissertation research. Students gain skills for careers in academia, applied research and leadership roles tackling social issues locally, nationally and globally.
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Sociology
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Sociology
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): ASOCPHD
Program Information
The Department of Sociology offers a PhD in Applied Sociology, which is focused on training professional researchers at the highest level to follow the discipline's focus on bringing scientific understandings to the study of social issues and problems. Training is designed to prepare students for both academic careers and meeting the growing demand for applied sociologists who are qualified to address directly the problems facing not only our state but also our nation and the world.
Admissions Requirements
We are committed to a holistic review of applications, considering course grades and GPA(s) alongside writing samples, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. However, admission into our program requires:
For the MA or joint MA-PhD:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative GPA of 3.2.
- Previous undergraduate coursework (and minimum grades) in statistics (B+), research methods (B), and social theory (B). (Students may be allowed to use equivalent courses for these prerequisites and should provide a course syllabus for the Department to review.)
- If an international student, either a TOEFL score of 213 (on computer-based test) or 79-80 (on the internet-based test), an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or Duolingo score of 105.
For the PhD:
- A graduate degree from an accredited institution and a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.5.
- Previous graduate coursework in sociology and coursework in statistics, research methods, qualitative research methods, and survey research methods. (Students may be allowed to use equivalent graduate courses for these prerequisites and should provide a course syllabus for the Department to review.)
- A completed thesis (or original independent work of research) from another accredited graduate program from which the student has graduated.
- If an international student, either a TOEFL score of 213 (on computer-based test) or 79-80 (on the internet-based test), an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or Duolingo score of 105.
In exceptional cases, students not qualified for regular admission may be admitted conditionally. The Department will consider student applications for nondegree status on a case-by-case basis.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit to the Graduate Admissions Office:
- A graduate application. (Directions for applying, submitting the following materials, and application fee information can be found here.)
- Official copies of transcripts from all accredited colleges/universities attended. (Students with international transcripts must abide by the Graduate School’s requirements found here.)
- Two letters of recommendation if applying to the MA program and three letters if applying to the joint MA-PhD or PhD program, preferably from former instructors and in sociology, if possible. (Those serving as references should complete the online recommendation form emailed to them once the student has started an application and include a discursive letter of recommendation to that same site.)
- A curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Proof of English language proficiency in the form of TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo, if an international student for whom English is not their native language. (A list of countries for which proficiency scores are waived, as well as other information for international students, can be found here and at the University’s International Center webpage).
- A writing sample, such as a senior-level course paper (if applying to the MA or joint MA-PhD program) and either the student's written thesis or another completed original independent work of research (if applying to the PhD program).
- A personal statement (500-750 words) addressing all of 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:
For the MA or joint MA-PhD:
- Please explain your reasons for applying to the master’s 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 whom you might be interested in working.
- Reflect on your experiences, skills, and/or knowledge related to your potential to engage in applied research in this graduate program.
For the PhD:
- 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 whom you might be interested in working.
NOTE: Applicants must identify in their personal statement one or more of our faculty with whom they would like to work; however, individual faculty are not involved in selecting applicants nor does our department operate with research teams under the supervision of a particular faculty member, so applicants do not need to seek permission from individual faculty prior to applying and should direct all inquiries to the Graduate Program Advisor.
Students may supplement their application file with GRE scores, but GRE scores are not required for admission.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for fall admission is January 5 for those wishing to be considered for department funding (e.g., graduate teaching or research assistantships) and June 1 for those not seeking funding. For the PhD program, the application deadline for spring admission is October 15 whether seeking funding or not. (There are no spring admissions into the MA or joint MA-PhD program and no summer admissions into any programs in sociology.)
Funding Opportunities
Only applicants to the joint MA-PhD program or the PhD-only program are eligible for funding. Students wishing to be considered for funding should submit a letter of interest addressing why they would be a good candidate for an assistantship as described here.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | 9-10 | |
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 (topic will vary from year to year) OR an outside elective 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 | ||
| Spring | 9 | |
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 | ||
| Fall | 9 | |
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 | ||
| Spring | 9 | |
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 Hours | 36-37 | |