Through classwork, research opportunities, and active mentoring, graduate students in the Department of Sociology’s doctoral program receive extensive training in both classical and cutting edge theory and methods. Students are encouraged to pursue interesting and important research topics in creative and innovative ways. The doctoral program, the second oldest in the College of Liberal Arts and the highest ranked (84th) in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Grad Schools, awarded its first Ph.D. in 1992. Since then, our doctoral graduates have secured tenure-track professorships at universities across the country, as well as visiting and permanent adjunct/instructor positions and prestigious government and industry roles including state agency officials, university administrative directors, institutional research fellows, corporate executives, and a Las Vegas city councilman and mayor pro tem. Click on the links below to see the full list of sociology’s doctoral alumni and their professional outcomes, as well as the USNWR listing.
Learn More
The Department of Sociology offers a PhD in sociology, either for students coming directly from their bachelor's ("Fast Track"), in which an MA is awarded en route, or for students who already have a master's. The department does not offer a terminal MA degree.
In order to be eligible to apply for either program, students should:
Be able to provide evidence of your ability to do graduate-level work based upon past academic performance, motivation, character, professional goals, and promise for success. In addition to your grades and (optional) GRE test scores, these can be addressed in your statement of interest and letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members who can speak to your ability to do graduate-level work.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional. We accept scores from the general exam, not the specific sociology exam. We use a holistic model of assessment, so if you feel that the GRE provides evidence of your potential to successfully complete a competitive and rigorous graduate program, you may include it. Otherwise, you may omit it without any penalty.
In addition to core required courses in theory and methods, we have eight areas of substantive specialization for research and teaching. The areas of specialization (AOS) are listed below:
- Culture
- Deviance & Criminology
- Environment & Health
- Family, Aging & the Life Course
- Gender & Sexuality
- Politics & Social Movements
- Race & Ethnic Studies
- Social Psychology & Theory
- Urban & Community Studies
- Population & Demography Studies.
Students must declare two areas of specialization and complete a minimum of three-credits of 600- or 700-level courses in each area. Doctoral students take their specialty area comprehensive exams in each of their declared AOS.
Contact
Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence
Graduate Coordinator
elizabeth.lawrence@unlv.edu