Suggested PhD Timeline
Our goal is for PhD students to graduate within 5 years with publications and research experience needed to succeed on either the academic or applied job market.
First Year (18 credits)
Fall Semester
SOC 504: Introductory Statistics for Social Sciences (required)
SOC 567: Classical Sociological Theory (required)
SOC 606: Social Research Methods (required)
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Spring Semester
SOC 568: Contemporary Sociological Theory (required)
SOC 607: Multiple Linear Regression (required)
Advanced methods course or elective
Select Faculty Advisor (dept form required)
Select MA project topic and begin MA research (in coordination with Faculty Advisor)
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Second Year (18 credits, total of 36 by year’s end)
Fall Semester
3 electives
MA research and writing
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Spring Semester
3 electives
Complete MA project
Present MA project to department
Submit an abstract or manuscript for conference presentation
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Third Year (18 credits, total of 54 by year’s end)
Fall Semester
3 electives
Submit MA paper for publication
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Spring Semester
3 electives
First qualifying exam
Submit an abstract or manuscript for conference presentation
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Fourth Year (12 credits, total of 66 by year’s end)
Fall Semester
2 electives
SOC 700: Thesis Guidance (3 credits)
Second qualifying exam
Dissertation proposal defense
Work on independent research paper to submit for publication by year’s end
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Spring Semester
SOC 700: Thesis Guidance (3 credits)
Dissertation research
Submit an abstract or manuscript for conference presentation
Work on independent research paper to submit for publication by year’s end
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Research hours (in collaboration with faculty)
Fifth Year (6 credits, 72 by year’s end)
Fall Semester
SOC 700: Thesis Guidance (3 credits)
Dissertation research and writing
Academic or applied job market
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars
Spring Semester
SOC 700: Thesis Guidance (3 credits)
Dissertation writing
Dissertation defense
TA responsibilities
Weekly Sociology proseminars