Graduate Degrees in Sociology

Sociology

The graduate program in the Department of Sociology at CU Boulder seeks to train creative and productive scholars and teachers. The department maintains a strong emphasis in the theories and methods of the discipline with strengths in a wide range of research areas.

The department offers a Doctor of Philosophy program focusing on teaching, researching and training in theory and methods. We do not offer a separate Master of Arts program. The program is designed for students seeking a PhD, and students obtain their master’s degree en route to the PhD.

Degree Types

PhD

Graduate students will meet with faculty advisors during their time at CU Boulder to foster social integration at the university as well as research interests.

Financial support is given to students serving as teaching assistants.

Faculty and graduate students organize regular workshops in which they discuss and obtain feedback on research in progress and also invite external speakers to present works in progress.

Degree Options & Application Requirements

Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy

Students must complete a total of 45 credit hours of coursework before taking the specialty area comprehensive exam. At least 24 hours must be in the Department of Sociology on the Boulder campus. All courses taken within the Department of Sociology must be numbered 5000 or above to qualify for graduate credit.

All first-year coursework must be completed with at least a 3.50 GPA and no grade lower than a B to continue into the second year.
At the end of the first and second years, faculty members teaching required courses, faculty mentors/advisors and faculty supervising teaching assistants conduct a review of students' progress.
Students must prepare a written dissertation proposal and orally defend it before the dissertation committee, and complete dissertation research and defend by the end of the sixth program year.

GRE/GMAT Requirements

Required

Application Deadlines

International applications: Dec. 15
U.S. applications: Jan. 3

For program details, review the course catalog for the PhD in sociology.

Research Areas

Criminology
Cultural Sociology
Environment
Hazards and Disasters
Gender and Sexuality
Health and Medicine
Life Course
Aging and Youth
Political Economy
Population
Race and Ethnicity
Social Psychology and Emotions

Learn More About Research Areas at CU Boulder

Funding Opportunities

We understand funding opportunities play a major role in helping you to decide whether a program is right for you. At CU Boulder, PhD students are supported through research and teaching assistantships. Students are also encouraged to apply for their own sources of funding.

Explore General Funding Explore Department-Specific Funding

Graduate Student Resources

Student success is best met with holistic support and resources. CU Boulder offers robust resources, programming and opportunities to help students establish meaningful connections, adjust to graduate student life and find assistance when they need it. Whether it’s academic, social, or health and wellness support, the university provides an array of resources to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Graduate Student Organizations