sociology phd linkedin

Graduate Program

Graduate program in sociology.

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise. Berkeley welcomes a wide diversity of students with far-ranging research interests and equips them with the sociological training, resources, and supportive community necessary to succeed in academia and beyond. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas. 

Factors distinguishing our graduate program from others nationwide include: 1) our rigorous training in general social theory, 2) our emphasis on public sociology and social justice, and 3) our embeddedness in a vibrant interdisciplinary community. Our emphasis on social theory is demonstrated by our required graduate theory sequence, elective theory courses, qualifying examination in theory, and teaching opportunities within Berkeley’s undergraduate theory sequence. As a department, we also maintain an abiding focus on public sociology and offer a number of fellowships, grants, and awards for students pursuing research that advances social justice. Finally, beyond the department, many students and faculty engage with university-wide institutes and clusters including the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, the Institute of Governmental Studies, the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, the Latin America research cluster, and many others.

Students admitted to Berkeley sociology receive a competitive funding package which includes six years of full support (including tuition and a living stipend) through a combination of fellowships and teaching, with many opportunities to secure funding past year six. Additionally, students are mentored in the skills needed to secure nationally competitive fellowships. In the past dozen years, Berkeley graduate students were awarded nearly one-quarter of the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Sociology (53 of 226), almost double that of any other program. In addition, our students support their research with fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, the Fulbright Graduate Student Program, and more.  They also receive funding for their dissertation research from the National Science Foundation, the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, the Charlotte Newcombe Foundation, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the German Marshall Fund, and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.

Berkeley graduate students receive mentorship to publish widely and influence the field. In the 24 years that the American Sociological Association has awarded an annual prize for the best dissertation in sociology, Berkeley graduate students have won a quarter of the time (6), far more than any other department. The “News” section of this site details some recent graduate student publications. Following completion of their Ph.D.s, Berkeley graduate students frequently end up publishing their dissertations as books. For example, the students who finished from 2000 through 2007 currently have 34 books published or in press.

Training in our department has prepared many of our graduates to obtain research and teaching positions in research-oriented universities; recent graduates currently hold faculty positions at Harvard, Michigan, Stanford, Chicago, Northwestern, UCLA, Columbia, Cornell, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCSF, UCSC, Syracuse, USC, Arizona, Washington, Illinois Urbana-Champaign, MIT, Georgetown, Boston U, SUNY Albany, UMass Amherst, William and Mary, Tufts and Oregon. Other students have taken jobs at more teaching-oriented schools, such as the Cal State campuses, Oberlin, Wellesley, Barnard, Boston College, Wesleyan and Sarah Lawrence.  Outside the US, students have taken jobs at McGill (Montreal), University College (Dublin), Universidad Carlos III (Madrid) and Tsinghua (Beijing).  A smaller but significant number have pursued careers in research institutes, business, government, and nonprofits.

Sociology PhD

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise as a department. We have been able to recruit superlative students year after year thanks to the efforts of the University, the faculty, and our current graduate students. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas.

Contact Info

[email protected]

410 Social Sciences Building

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 3, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Earning A Ph.D. In Sociology: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: May 30, 2023, 2:17am

Earning a Ph.D. in sociology helps you build a high-level career in a competitive field. As the discipline’s terminal degree, a doctorate in sociology qualifies graduates for roles in academia, business, government and nonprofits.

Ph.D. in sociology programs provide a strong grounding in sociological theory and practice and the opportunity to conduct original research.

If you want to explore a Ph.D. in sociology, this article is for you. We’ll explain what to expect from a doctoral program in sociology, including admission criteria, common requirements and sociology careers for graduates.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

What Does a Ph.D. in Sociology Entail?

What is sociology ? This field studies societies and the human relationships within them, often with the goal of addressing inequities and divisions.

A sociology Ph.D. prepares you to conduct independent research or teach at the college level. Here’s what you should expect if you plan to earn a Ph.D. in sociology.

Ph.D. in Sociology Admission Requirements

Admission to Ph.D. in sociology programs is highly competitive, with acceptance rates at some schools as low as 4%.

Admissions committees look at several factors when considering grad school applicants . Ph.D. in sociology programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.5, plus a statement of purpose, scholarly writing samples, a résumé, recommendation letters and GRE scores.

Competitive applicants hold strong social science backgrounds with completed coursework in sociological theory, statistics and research methods. Most doctoral programs in sociology accept candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s in sociology or a related field. Those with bachelor’s degrees in sociology typically earn a master’s midway through the doctoral program.

Applicants without a sociology background can use their personal statement to explain how their experience and interests align with a sociology program.

Ph.D in Sociology Program Formats

Most doctoral sociology programs are traditional on-campus programs. Fully online Ph.D. programs in sociology are rare, though students may take individual courses online.

Ph.D. candidates spend less time on campus once they begin their dissertations. However, it’s wise to select your school and living situation with regular campus visits in mind.

Learners set on an online program are more likely to find an online Ph.D. program in a related major, such as a doctorate in social work .

Common Ph.D. in Sociology Degree Requirements

Sociological theory.

Many Ph.D. in sociology programs include one or more required theory courses. Understanding sociological theory helps future sociologists engage with the discipline’s history and its contemporary debates as researchers, thinkers and teachers.

Theory courses cover seminal theorists like Karl Marx, Max Weber and Émile Durkheim and explore how contemporary writers and researchers apply, challenge and adapt classical sociological thought to current issues and perspectives.

Social Data Analysis and Research

Courses in social data analysis and research bring theory into practice. A Ph.D. is a research-oriented degree that prepares graduates to produce independent research projects like dissertations.

Students learn to conduct sociological studies, draw conclusions and present findings. Data analysis and collection methods include interviews, field notes and statistical analysis.

In some programs, candidates build hands-on skills in a research practicum. Learners can also gain research experience (and help pay for their degrees ) through faculty research assistantships.

Complete Residency Credits

“Residency credits” refer to how many courses you take at your degree-granting institution. Most Ph.D. candidates fulfill residency requirements simply by completing their program’s coursework. Sometimes, a doctoral student can earn residency credits by completing a master’s degree in sociology from the same school as their doctorate.

However, transfer students and those intending to study abroad should consult an advisor or registrar to ensure they meet residency credit requirements.

Careers for Ph.D. in Sociology Graduates

What can you do with a sociology degree ? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports only 3,000 sociologists working in the United States as of 2021, though many individuals with doctorates in sociology hold other job titles. Doctoral degrees demonstrate research skills and specialized training to set candidates apart in a tight job market.

For many roles, particularly in academia, a Ph.D. is mandatory. Below, we highlight some common career paths for Ph.D. in sociology graduates. All salary data mentioned below is sourced from the BLS.

Sociology Professor

Median Annual Salary: $79,640 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: Sociology professors train the next generation of sociologists. Depending on their institution and experience, sociology professors teach undergraduates from other majors as well. Along with classroom responsibilities, sociology professors may conduct research, publish articles and books, attend academic conferences and serve on administrative committees.

Human Resources Manager

Median Annual Salary: $126,230 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +7% Job Description: Sociologists use data to understand human behavior and can apply this knowledge to many business subfields, especially in people-focused fields like human resources . Human resource managers have many personnel-centered responsibilities, including hiring and training, mediating disputes and helping shape an organization’s workplace culture.

Sociologist

Median Annual Salary: $92,910 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +5% Job Description: Sociologists in and out of academia can pursue research roles. According to the BLS , more sociologists hold research and development roles in social sciences and humanities than in any other industry. Sociologists study social behavior, design and conduct research studies, and present their findings through reports, articles and presentations.

Social and Community Service Managers

Median Annual Salary: $74,000 Projected Job Growth (2021-2031): +12% Job Description: A social and community services career suits Ph.D. in sociology graduates seeking applied—rather than research-based—careers. Managers in this sector plan, shape and oversee programs and services that support public well-being.

Social and community service managers work for nonprofit and for-profit social services organizations and government agencies and target needs such as elder services, child and family services, food security or mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Ph.D. in Sociology

What can i do with a sociology ph.d..

Many Ph.D. in sociology graduates go into academia and research-focused careers. However, sociology graduates can also find work in human resources, marketing and social services.

How much do you make with a Ph.D. in sociology?

A Ph.D. in sociology qualifies graduates for various high-paying jobs. One of the highest-paying jobs is human resources manager, with an annual median salary of $126,230 as of 2021, according to the BLS . Sociology professors and research sociologists earn median annual salaries of $79,640 and $92,910 as of 2021, respectively.

How many years does it take to get a Ph.D. in sociology?

A typical Ph.D. in sociology program lasts five to six years. Students with work or family obligations may take longer to complete their degrees. Conversely, candidates with a master’s in sociology may finish faster. Some programs allow candidates to take up to nine years in certain circumstances.

• Types Of Psychology Careers
• How Much Does A Psychologist Make?
• How To Become A Forensic Psychologist
• How To Become A Psychologist
• How To Earn An MBA Degree
• How To Become A Financial Manager
• How To Become A Marketing Manager
• How To Become A Sales Manager
• Types Of Computer Programming Jobs
• Coding Jobs – Career And Degree Options
• Are Bootcamps Worth It?
• How Much Do Data Scientists Make?
• Best Online MSW Programs 2024
• Types Of Careers In Social Work
• Everything About Social Work Careers
• How To Earn A Bachelor's In Social Work
• How To Become A Marketing Director
• How To Choose A Career In Marketing
• How To Choose A Major
• Best Soft Skills For Tech Professionals
• How To Find Remote Internships
• How To Become An Anesthesiologist
• How Long Does It Take To Become An Anesthesiologist?

Best Doctorate In Theology Online Programs Of 2024

Where To Earn An Online Ph.D. In Clinical Research In 2024

How To Become A Certified Veterinary Technician: A Complete Guide

How To Become an Environmental Scientist: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Become A Soil Scientist: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Become A Research Scientist: What To Know

With five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learners alike. Prior to joining Forbes Advisor's education team, Ilana wrote and edited for websites such as BestColleges.com and AffordableCollegesOnline.org.

Graduate Placements

The following is a comprehensive list of placements of our graduate students in academia, industry, and the non-profit and public sectors. We don’t systematically track the promotions or job changes of our alumni, so in most cases these are first placements.

Alex Cooperstock  (PhD May 2024): Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University--a dual appointment with the Population Studies and Training Center as well as with the Annenberg Institute for School Reform

Jacqueline Ho  (PhD May 2024): Assistant Professor at Singapore Management University

Wonjeong Jeong  (PhD May 2024): Postdoctoral position at NYU Abu Dhabi 

Reid Ralston  (PhD May 2024): Assistant Professor of Sociology at Midland University 

Benjamin Rosche  (PhD May 2024): Postdoctoral at the Office of Population Research at Princeton University 

Shumeng Li (PhD May 2023): Postdoctoral Fellow at the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore

Loredana Loy  (PhD May 2023): Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Miami

Yoselinda Mendoza  (PhD May 2023): User Experience Research at LinkedIn

Meaghan Mingo  (PhD May 2023): Postdoctoral position at the Center for Research on Educational Opportunity (CREO) at Notre Dame

Emily Sandusky  (PhD May 2023): Director, Research Accelerators, Public Agenda

Remy Stewart  (PhD May 2023): Data Scientist at Figma in New York City

Abdullah Shahid (PhD August 2022): Lecturer, Trans-disciplinary Course Program, University of Tübingen, Germany.

Yunsub Lee (PhD August 2022): Post-doc at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain.

Sang Kyung Lee (PhD August 2022): Postdoctoral Associate at Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

Jocelyn Fischer (PhD December 2021): Post-Doctoral Associate at the Center for Women and Work in the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Erin McCauley  (PhD December 2021): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-San Francisco.

Yuanyuan Liu (PhD August 2021): Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong.

Lisha Liu (PhD May 2021): Assistant Professor of Organizations and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Radu Parvulescu (PhD May 2021): Analyst for Canadian Housing Statistics Program at Statistics, Canada.

Alexander Ruch (PhD May 2021): Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Spotify.

Xinwei Xu (PhD December 2021): Postdoctoral Researcher, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

Thomas Davidson (PhD August 2020): Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Rutgers University.

Alyssa Goldman (PhD May 2020): Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Boston College.

Mario Molina (PhD August 2020): Post-doctoral Associate in Social Science Division, NYU-Abu Dhabi.

Youngmin Yi (PhD May 2020): Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Wellesley College.

Meg Doherty Bea (PhD May 2019): Assistant Professor, Department of Consumer Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Theresa Rocha Beardall (PhD May 2019): Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Washington.

Bridget Brew (PhD  May 2019): Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Mary Washington.

Jing-Mao Ho (PhD May 2019): Assistant Professor, Data Science, Utica College.

Paul Muniz (PhD May 2019): Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bucknell University.

Antonio Sirianni (PhD May 2019): Postdoctoral Fellow in Quantitative Social Sciences, Dartmouth College.

Mauricio Bucca (PhD 2018): Assistant Professor, Universidad Católica de Chile.

Alex Currit (PhD 2018): People Research Scientist at Meta.

Lucas Drouhot (PhD 2018): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

Michael Siemon (PhD 2018): Senior Data Scientist at Ericsson. 

Daniel Della Posta  (PhD 2017): Associate Professor of Sociology, Penn State University.

Fedor Dokshin  (PhD 2017): Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto.

Allison Dwyer-Emory  (PhD 2017): Assistant Professor of Sociology, SUNY at Buffalo

Alicia Eads  (PhD 2017): Assistant Professor of Sociology and Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University of Toronto

Scott Golder  (PhD 2017): Senior Director, Data Scientist at Capital One.

Hilary Holbrow  (PhD 2017): Assistant Professor, East Asian Language and Culture, Indiana University Bloomington. 

Yujin Oh  (PhD 2017): Assistant Director, Learning Strategies Center, Cornell University.

Defne Över  (PhD 2017): Assistant Professor, Texas A&M, Department of Sociology. 

Emily Taylor Poppe  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor of Law, University of California-Irvine School of Law

Kyle Albert  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor, Institute of Public Policy at George Washington University

Rachel Behler  (PhD 2016): Senior Research Scientist at Meta.

Chris Cameron  (PhD 2016): Computational Scientist at Cornell Center for Advanced Computing.

Benjamin Franco-Suarez  (PhD 2016): Retired, age 90. Read his remarkable story  here .

Dafna Gelbgiser  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Tel Aviv University.

Emily Hoagland  (PhD 2016): Vice President, Strategic Insights & Initiatives at National Geographic Society. 

Patrick Park  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science.

Yongren Shi  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Iowa.

Shuo Zhang  (PhD 2016): Assistant Professor, China University of Political Science and Law.

Erik Schmidt  (PhD 2015): Survey Statistician, US Census Bureau.

Chan Suh  (PhD 2015): Associate Professor of Sociology, Chung Ang University.

Milena Tsvetkova  (PhD 2015): Assistant Professor at the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Laura Ford  (PhD 2014): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Bard College.

Michael Genkin  (PhD 2014): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Singapore Management University.

Erin Lentz  (PhD 2014): Associate Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas Austin.

Michael “Trey” Spiller  (PhD 2014): USDA Statistician, Dallas, TX.

Jessica Su  (PhD 2014): Assistant Professor of Sociology, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Matthew Hoffberg  (PhD 2013): Head of Product Management Content Applications at Pearson in Boston MA.

Jung Mee Park  (PhD 2013): Data Analys, University Information Technology Services, University of Arizona.

Alexa Yesukevich  (PhD 2013): Instructor in Sociology at Elmira College.

Christin Munsch  (PhD 2012): Associate Professor of Sociology at University of Connecticut.

Kelly Patterson  (PhD 2012): Assistant Professor, Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business. 

Kyle Siler  (PhD 2012): Research Professor and Principal Investigator at University of Montreal. 

Christopher Yenkey  (PhD 2011): Associate Professor, University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business.

Jennifer Todd  (PhD 2011): Director, US Department of Education, office of Well-Rounded Education.

Jared Peifer  (PhD 2011): Associate Professor of Management in the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College.

Bart Ligouri  (PhD 2011): Division Director at Legislative Research Commission in Kentucky.

Nicolas Eilbaum  (PhD 2011): Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology, Greensboro College.

Tom Lento  (PhD 2011): Software Engineer at Transform, CA.

Cate Taylor  (PhD 2010): Associate Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Barbara.

Mark Dodd Jacobs  (PhD 2010): Assistant Professor, Renmin University School of Business, Beijing.

Li Ma  (PhD 2010): Assistant Professor, Tongji University, Shanghai.

Youngjoo Cha  (PhD 2010): Associate Professor of Sociology, Indiana University.

Sarah Thebaud  (PhD 2010): Associate Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Barbara.

Yujun Wang  (PhD 2010): Associate Professor of Sociology, Renmin University, Beijing, China

Diana Hernandez  (PhD 2009): Associate Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health Sciences in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University.

Cyprian Wejnert  (PhD 2009): Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

Esther Quintero  (PhD 2008): Senior Research Fellow, Albert Shanker Institute (American Federation of Teachers), Washington, DC.

Mark McKerrow  (Ph.D. 2008): Senior Researcher at Blueprint ADE, Ontario Canada.

Stephen Benard  (Ph.D. 2008): Associate Professor of Sociology, Indiana University.

Ed Carberry  (Ph.D. 2008): Associate Professor of Management, U-Mass Boston.

John Scott  (Ph.D. 2008):Director of Retirement Savings Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington D.C.

Matt Di Carlo  (Ph.D. 2008): Senior Research Fellow, Albert Shanker Institute (American Federation of Teachers), Washington, DC.

Ko Kuwabara  (Ph.D. 2007): Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD, France

Arnout van de Rijt  (Ph.D. 2007): Professor of Sociology, European University Institute, Italy.

Judy Rosenstein  (Ph.D. 2007): Professor, Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Zun Tang  (Ph.D. 2007): Director of Institutional Research CUNY.

Min-Dong Paul Lee  (Ph.D. 2007): Norris A. Aldeen Chair of Business, and Associate Professor of Business at Wheaton College.

Mary Still  (Ph.D. 2007): Social and Data Scientist, Boston, MA.

Erik Volz  (Ph.D. 2006): Lecturer, Population Biology and Infectious Diseases, Imperial College in London.

Damon Centola  (Ph.D. 2006): Elihu Katz Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania.

Young-Mi Kim  (Ph.D. 2006): Associate Professor of Sociology, Yonsei University, Korea.

Robb Willer  (Ph.D. 2006): Professor of Sociology and Psychology at Stanford University.

Wubiao Zhou  (Ph.D. 2006): Associate Professor, Department of Management, Birmingham Business School, UK

Dong-Il Jung  (Ph.D. 2006): Assistant Professor of Sociology, Hallym University, Korea.

Kate Hynes  (Ph.D. 2005): Program Coordinator, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University.

Ion Bogdan Vasi  (Ph.D. 2005): Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Iowa.

Evelyn Bush  (Ph.D. 2005): Associate Professor of Sociology, Fordham University.

Gabriela Sandoval  (Ph.D. 2005): Director of Race & Equity Policy at California Immigrant Policy Center, Oakland California.

Elaine Howard Ecklund  (Ph.D. 2004): Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Sociology and Director of the Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance at Rice University.

Marianna Klochko  (Ph.D. 2004): Associate Professor of Sociology, The Ohio State University – Marion.

Kristen Schultz Lee  (Ph.D. 2004): Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Buffalo.

Hyunjoo Min  (Ph.D. 2004): Research Instructor, Department of Economics, Korea University.

Emma Dentinger  (Ph.D. 2003): Lives in Philadelphia, PA

Pawan Dhingra  (Ph.D. 2002): Associate Provost and Associate Dean of the Faculty; Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Professor of U.S. Immigration Studies, Amherst College.

Heather Hofmeister  (Ph.D. 2002): Professor of Sociology of Work at the Goethe University, Frankfurt.

Joy Pixley  (Ph.D. 2002): Research Director, California Plug Load Research Center at UC Irvine. 

James Kitts  (Ph.D. 2001): Professor of Sociology, UMass Amherst.

Brent Simpson  (Ph.D. 2001): Professor of Sociology, University of South Carolina.

Stacey Merola  (Ph.D. 2001): Mixed-methods Researcher and Program Evaluator, Washington, DC.

Yang Cao  (Ph.D. 2000): Associate Professor of Sociology, University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Amy Foerster  (Ph.D. 2000): Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Pace University, New York City.

Pamela Jull  (Ph.D. 1999): Program Director of Sustainable Connection, Bellingham, WA.

Jennifer Karas  (Ph.D. 1999): Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Denver.

Melissa Favreault  (Ph.D. 1998): Senior Fellow, Urban Institute Income and Benefits Policy Center in Washington, DC.

Jayiti Lal  (Ph.D. 1998): Professor and Chair of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Wake Forest University.

Rebecca Matthews  (Ph.D. 1998): Research Analyst, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Lisa Schneider-Bentley  (PhD 1997): Director of Engineering Learning Initiatives at Cornell University.

David Dornisch  (Ph.D. 1997): Quantitative and Qualitative Research and Data Scientist at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, D.C.

Lisa Keister  (Ph.D. 1997): Gilhuly Family Professor of Sociology, Duke University.

Susan Roschke  (Ph.D. 1997): Grants and Donor Data Manager in Cincinnati Ohio.

Loreen Wolfer  (Ph.D. 1996): Professor of Sociology / Criminal Justice, Scranton University.

Sarah Soule  (Ph.D. 1995): Morgridge Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford University Business School.

Christiana Agawu  (Ph.D. 1995): Lecturer in Africana Studies, Princeton University.

Ellen Bradburn  (Ph.D. 1994): Senior Research Associate, at MPR Associates Inc, an education research consulting firm in Washington DC.

David Barron  (Ph.D. 1992): Associate Professor in Organisational Sociology, University of Oxford.

Sonja Drobnic  (Ph.D. 1992): Professor, Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences, University of Bremen.

Pam Popielarz  (Ph.D. 1992): Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Illinois Chicago.

John Roberts  (Ph.D. 1992): Professor of Sociology at the University of New Mexico.

Dawn Robinson  (Ph.D. 1992): Professor of Sociology at the University of Georgia.

Jane Banaszak-Holl  (Ph.D. 1991): Professor, School of Health & Social Care, University of Greenwich.

Kristin Esterberg  (Ph.D. 1991): President of SUNY Potsdam.

James Ranger-Moore  (Ph.D. 1991): Associate Professor at the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Elizabeth West  (PhD 1991): Professor of Applied Social Research in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich.

Scott Sernau  (Ph.D. 1991): Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Indiana University South Bend.

Michiko Kurahashi  (Ph.D. 1989): Chief Marketing Officer at AXIS Capital,  New York City.

Sociology JD/PhD 

Stanford Law School and the Department of Sociology share more than a common interest in sociolegal scholarship: Both are ranked among the top academic departments in their respective fields. The high quality of both institutions distinguishes Stanford's JD/PhD program from those offered by other universities. Stanford is also the only university where a commitment to fostering sociolegal scholarship has been translated into a truly joint JD/PhD program.

Requirements

Upon admission, students may begin study in either the law school or the department of sociology. Students must complete their first full year of graduate study in one program and their second full year in the other. Thereafter, students may divide their time between programs to suit their individual course of research and graduate training. Students must satisfy the requirements for both the JD and the PhD degrees. Up to 54 quarter units of approved coursework may be counted towards both degrees, but no more than 31 quarter units of courses that originate outside the Law school may count towards the Law degree. The Law degree may be conferred upon completion of applicable law school requirements; it is not necessary to have both degrees conferred simultaneously. Students participating in the joint degree program are not eligible to transfer and receive credit for a master's or another degree towards the Ph.D. Students must complete the equivalent of 183 quarter units to complete both degrees. These provisions dramatically reduce requirements, increase flexibility, and make Stanford's a true joint degree program.

Additional Requirements

In addition to coursework, Students must complete additional requirements for each program.  Complete Sociology PhD requirements and include at least three quarters of Teaching Assistantship, three-quarters of Research Assistantship, and successful completion of a doctoral dissertation.  For additional requirements for the JD degree, see the  Stanford Law Schoo l website.

Students who are accepted into the JD/PhD Program in Law and Sociology will typically pay for only two semesters of law school tuition – a savings of approximately $50,000 (compared, for example, to programs at other top-ranked law schools that require students to pay for five semesters of law school tuition), and will receive nearly a full year of credit toward the law degree from approved sociology coursework. Through a combination of fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships; the Department of Sociology currently provides full tuition, stipends, and funds to support research for six academic years of graduate-level study in sociology to each student admitted to the PhD program. Thus, students admitted to the joint program will generally pay no tuition beyond the first year of law school, and will receive a stipend for six additional years of study in the law school and the sociology department.