Graduate Program

Overview

The Ph.D. program in Sociology at UC Davis emphasizes rigorous preparation in sociological theory and research methodologies as the basis of sound scholarship. Sociology graduate students are encouraged to begin active research early in their academic careers.

Program Highlights
  • High-ranked program with pluralistic vision of sociology
  • Wide range of faculty specializations
  • Emphasis on researching issues challenging California, the United States, and the globalizing world
  • Diverse and interactive group of Ph.D. students
  • Faculty and students have excellent records of publication, research awards and grants.
To learn more about applying to the Ph.D. program in Sociology, visit the Admission page. Applications are due by December 15.   

Program Information

Applicants accepted into the Sociology graduate program are admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. The master's degree is awarded to students in the course of working toward the Ph.D. degree. Continuation in the Ph.D. program is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all M.A. degree requirements. 

The department provides students with facilities for study, work and social interaction. Limited office space is available as are individual mailboxes and a computer lab, in addition to extensive campus facilities. An average of 50 to 70 students enroll in the Sociology graduate program, which has 28 faculty members and affiliates. Theoretical, methodological, and substantive pluralism characterize faculty research interests and departmental course offerings. 

Doctorate Training Strengths

- Development of strong theory, method, and analytical skills
- Three method specializations: field, quantitative and comparative/historical methods
- Engagement in wide variety of social issues
- Students pursue their own dissertation projects based on solid grounding in theory, method, and substantive areas of sociology

Specializations

The multiplicity of specializations of faculty allows students the opportunity to design individualized degree programs. Some of these include

  • complex organizations
  • culture, religion and ideology
  • demography and ecology
  • family and kinship
  • law, deviance, criminology and social control
  • political economy/development/economic sociology
  • political sociology
  • race and ethnic relations
  • sex and gender
  • social movements and collective behavior
  • social psychology
  • social stratification
  • work, occupations, and professions.

Designated Emphasis

Students may pursue a designated emphasis in one of the following areas: African American and African Studies, Critical Theory, Feminist Theory and Research, Human Rights, Science and Technology Studies, and Study of Religion.

Diversity

The larger graduate community at UC Davis values a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences among its students, knowing that a diverse student body strengthens the research, scholarship, and teaching of all members of our community. As a part of our commitment to diversity, there are numerous resources, mentoring workshops, events and professional staff members positioned to meet the needs of our graduate students as they achieve their professional, educational, and career goals.

Please feel free to contact Dr. Josephine Moreno, UC Davis’ Graduate Diversity Officer for Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, with any questions or concerns regarding diversity in Graduate Studies. Visit the Office of Graduate Studies' Diversity website to read the latest initiatives.

We embrace the UC Davis campuswide Principles of Community.