Doctoral Degree in Sociology
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
The doctorate in sociology is ideal for individuals passionate about conducting in-depth research on social behaviors, inequalities, and institutions, and who seek to contribute to fields such as public policy, social justice, or academia. Graduates often pursue careers as university professors, researchers, policy analysts, or consultants in government agencies, non-profits, and think tanks, where they can influence social change and advance our understanding of societal dynamics.
Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Sociology program admits students post bachelor's degree. A master’s degree is awarded in progress toward the PhD. Our program prepares students to conduct original research and contribute to the advancement of sociological theory and practice. Through in-depth training in qualitative and quantitative methods, students explore complex social issues related to inequality, institutions, culture, health, and global change. With close faculty mentorship and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, graduates are equipped for careers in academia, research organizations, government, and policy-making institutions, where they drive evidence-based solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Students choose an area of specialization related to the following faculty areas of expertise: Crime, Law, and Deviance; Environment and Society; Health and Medical Sociology, and Social Inequalities. Additionally, all students are well trained in sociological theory and social science research methods. Our program emphasizes preparing graduate students for a variety of career options in academic and applied settings by building foundational sociological knowledge and skills and providing many professional development opportunities.
Our students are actively engaged in research projects with faculty from the Department of Sociology, as well as others in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Agriculture, Education, and Medicine. They publish frequently in high-quality journals, present at national and international conferences, work in applied research fields, and teach a broad range of sociology courses. Our students have been very successful on both the academic and non-academic job markets.
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What You'll Learn
Areas of focus in the Sociology PhD program
Crime, Law, and Deviance: Faculty in this area engage in sociologically informed research on crime-related issues, such as juvenile delinquency, international criminology, gun control, human trafficking, prisoner re-entry, recidivism, substance use, and violence against women. They serve in leadership roles in related professional organizations, including the American Sociological Society, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and the American Society of Criminology.
Environment and Society: Scholars in this area focus on the relationship between social systems and the ecosphere, with a focus on anthropogenic causes of environmental change, the social construction of environmental problems, and social movements related to environmental justice. Our department has a particular strength in research and service to rural and natural resource-dependent communities, especially agricultural, forested, and mining (post-mining) communities in Kentucky and Appalachia.
Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability: Faculty in health and medical sociology conduct research on health disparities, medicalization, stigma, stress processes, HIV risk behaviors and intervention, and substance abuse. They serve in leadership roles in the American Sociological Association's sections on Disability and Society, Mental Health, Aging and the Life Course, and Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco. Our program offers a number of courses in this area, including the social determinants of health, gender and mental health, illness and disability, and dependency behavior.
Social Inequalities: All our faculty conduct research on some area of inequality. We examine disparities related to race, social class, gender, sexuality and disability in institutions such as healthcare, criminal justice, family, and education. The department has a long tradition of research on inequalities of geographic location and the environment, especially among rural populations.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Program Specific Requirements
New full-time students are admitted only for the fall semester.
All application materials, including letters of recommendations and required test scores, must be received by December 1 for consideration for the following fall semester. Admission and funding decisions are announced by March.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are no longer required for admission.
- International students must submit English language scores. Please see the University of Kentucky Graduate School website about minimum scores for various tests.
Materials required for Application
- Statement of purpose: There is no required length for the personal statement. They are typically 1.5-2 pages long. It is important that you demonstrate a clear understanding of the purpose of a PhD, your research interests, and your career goals. You also want to be sure that your research interests fit well with the expertise of our faculty.
- Writing sample: A seminar paper or thesis is acceptable.
- Undergraduate/graduate transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the initial application review.
- TOEFL/IELTS scores: See the Graduate School website for up-to-date information on the language requirement.
- Curriculum vita or resume
- Three recommendation letters
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
Program Specific Funding Opportunities
Financial assistance is available in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and university fellowships. All applicants are considered for funding and there is not a separate application for funding.
Tuition Rate
For residents of the states listed below, this program qualifies you to receive the University of Kentucky's in-state tuition rate through the Academic Common Marketplace.
West Virginia
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Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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