Graduate Program Overview

Group of students and professors on a pumpkin farm.

Graduate students and faculty go apple picking together in Western New York every fall.

Committed to preparing graduate students for research-based careers in academic, private, or public sectors, the Department of Sociology offers opportunities to develop close, collaborative relationships with award-winning and internationally-recognized faculty while gaining in-depth understanding of a wide variety of theoretical and methodological approaches in the following substantive areas:  

Apply now for Fall 2024

Application Deadline for acceptance to the PhD program for Fall 2023 is December 10, 2023. The UB College of Arts and Sciences is committed to recruiting the very best PhD students and preparing doctoral students for career success. 

Build Real-World Skills

Whether pursuing a PhD or master's degree, our students learn to become independent researchers. Faculty and graduate students routinely collaborate on innovative research studies, conference presentations, research grants, and peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, our students develop teaching skills through teaching assistantships and lectureships, and benefit from regular pro-seminars and visiting speakers. Within our tightknit cohorts, many students begin building their future networks of professional support.

How do you apply the skills you learned as a Sociology MA student to your current position?

“I am able to provide pragmatic answers to business problems and queries by analyzing large data and researching background context using the quantitative data analysis and research skills that I learned at UB.”

– Albert Kim, MA 2019, Research Analyst, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers

How have the skills you learned as a Sociology PhD student helped you in your current position?

“The research and teaching skills I developed at University at Buffalo have allowed me to embed myself in communities in Southeastern Michigan and connect with my students in the classroom.”

– Watoii Rabii, PhD 2018, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Oakland University

“I use sociological theories and foundations every day with my colleagues and students. Every issue related to diversity work has sociological components that must be understood for a more just and equitable environment. The seminars and teaching experience I gained while at UB continues to be instrumental in my daily work.”

– Kiera Duckworth, PhD 2018, Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator, College at Brockport, SUNY

Learn More

Degrees

Funding

The Department of Sociology offers 5-year, $23,000 TAships to incoming PhD students.

Graduate student funding>

Contact Us

We encourage prospective students to complete an information request form to learn more about pursuing graduate work in the Department of Sociology. Current students may contact their faculty advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies with questions.