Master's Applicants: A grade-point average above 3.0 based on a 4.0 system (or an explanation in your personal statement about why your grades were below 3.0), good fit with department areas of specialization, and strong letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required for Master's applicants.
PhD Applicants: Previous scholarship record from undergraduate or Master's program of 3.3 or better (based on a 4.0 system), strong fit with department areas of specialization, and strong letters of recommendation. Applicants are NOT required to find an advisor before applying. GRE scores are not required for PhD applicants.
Applicants should note that the undergraduate grade point average required for admission to the sociology graduate programs may be higher than those set by the Graduate School at UB.
Please note: The Criminology MS program is the only UB Department of Sociology program that accepts applications for spring enrollment.
Use the link to access our online application system. You should begin by creating an account. Once created, you will be promoted to choose an application, select your term year and program. Please read the directions on your College of Arts and Sciences application carefully. Returning users can use this link to log in to their existing application(s).
The following supporting materials must be included as part of the online application. Please read the instructions on the online application for further details. Your application will not be considered complete and will not be reviewed until you have submitted:
UB requires international applicants to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. In addition to the above application materials, international applicants must also submit the following:
Only PhD applicants are eligible for Schomburg Fellowships. In order to be eligible for the Schomburg Fellowship, you need to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.
If you would like to be considered for a Schomburg Fellowship, please upload a written statement to your online application (maximum of 500 words) describing how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body in your graduate or professional degree program, including by having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.
Please note that such categorical circumstances may include academic, vocational, social, physical or economic impediments or disadvantaged status that students, as evidenced by their performance as undergraduates, have been able to overcome, or other characteristics that constitute categorical underrepresentation in their particular graduate program such as gender or racial/ethnic status.
The graduate application fee is $75 U.S., and must be paid online through the Slate application portal.
Fee waivers are only available to students in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program (anywhere in the United States), Educational Opportunity Program in New York State (EOP), Higher Education Opportunity Program in New York State (HEOP), Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program in New York State (SEEK), TRIO, Upward Bound, GRE Fee Waivers, AmeriCorps Program, certain categories of sponsored, university recognized and approved exchange programs applicants, or applicants with that have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 on their Fee Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). If you fall into one of these categories, please contact us to request an application fee waiver to be submitted on your behalf. In all cases, you will need to provide official supporting documentation.
Please contact us with any questions about the application process.