Sociology

Doctoral Degree Programs

Graduate opportunities

In the Department of Sociology, we teach more than theories, facts and figures. Our aim is to develop independent thinkers who are capable of conducting quality, innovative research in a particular area of interest.

Pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology at the University of North Texas prepares you to become an independent researcher and/or instructor in higher education. You’ll learn how to apply social science perspectives and tools to social problems and improve the quality of life. You can concentrate your studies into one of four areas: globalization, health and illness, sociology of aging, or social stratification. We also offer a Specialist in Aging certificate.

While enrolled in our doctoral program, you’ll have opportunities to work closely with faculty members in educational and research activities in areas such as:

• Assessing disaster preparedness
• Global community
• Racially integrated churches
• Social interactions of individuals within social
  organizations
• Sociology of aging
• Studies of individuals
• Sustainable societies
• Worldwide impact of HIV/AIDS

Additional resources are available through our participation in the Federation of North Texas Area Universities with Texas Woman’s University and Texas A&M University-Commerce. This collaborative effort allows you to take sociology courses at these institutions, apply them to your degree program, and gain different viewpoints and expertise in substantive areas of study in sociology.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

The admission process to the doctoral program is a highly competitive, two-step process. First, you will need to be admitted to the Toulouse Graduate School. Admission requirements are outlined at tsgs.unt.edu. Second, you will need to complete the sociology departmental application process, which requires a statement of purpose and four completed recommendation forms and/or letters of recommendation.

Students with a master’s degree may be considered for either unconditional or conditional admission based on the following requirements. (Conditional admission requires filing an appeal with the graduate school.)

Unconditional

• 18 semester hours of sociology courses completed (at least 3 graduate semester hours each in social research methods, social statistics and social theory)
• At least a 3.5 GPA on your master’s course work
• Acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE (Visit www.unt.edu/soci or contact the Director of Graduate Studies for information concerning admission test scores.)

Additional course work is typically required if you have fewer than the required semester hours and courses needed for unconditional admission. Outstanding undergraduates without a master’s degree who meet all possible unconditional requirements may be considered for admission to the doctoral program.

Conditional

• At least a 3.0 GPA on all master’s course work
• Acceptable scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE
• Substantial alternative evidence of potential success in graduate studies

The graduate school dean will notify you of the admission decision to our program. We recommend completing the admission process by the last Monday in November in the year prior to the requested admission year. Selected candidates will be invited to attend a retreat on the final weekend of January where they learn more about the program and meet some of the professors. Accepted applicants should consult with our Director of Graduate Studies for recommended courses before their first semester.

Degree requirements

The doctoral program requires a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree or 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree.

• 12 semester hours in research methods and statistics
• 12 semester hours in either comparative and global sociology, health and illness, or social inequality/ stratification
• 12 semester hours in a second sociology concentration or a related minor field
• 12 semester hours of dissertation (This requires an oral defense of the proposal and the final written dissertation.)
• 6 semester hours in sociological theory
• 6 semester hours of electives
• Tool requirement or proficiency in a foreign language

You may earn limited credit in cooperative education or in an internship as part of your Ph.D. course work.

You will also need to carry a full load of 9 semester hours for any two consecutive semesters to fulfill the doctoral residence requirement.

Financial assistance available

The primary forms of financial support are assistantships in the Department of Sociology, scholarships or financial aid. To be considered for assistantships, you should submit all required admission materials to our department and the Toulouse Graduate School by the last Monday in November of the year prior to the requested admission year. Assistantships are announced at the January informational retreat.