Ph.D. in Sociology
Wayne State's Ph.D. in Sociology prepares students to expand upon their knowledge of the human mind and society in general and with coursework in applying the best ways to collect and analyze data.
Our Ph.D. program equips students for the academic job market or other professional careers through a challenging, comprehensive and integrated curriculum that trains doctoral students to theorize from a variety of sociological perspectives and analyze using a variety of methodologies. The curriculum also focuses on advanced training in the specialty areas of race/ethnicity/gender, sociology of health and illness and global/transnational/comparative sociology.
Sociology program requirements and curriculum
The sociology master's degree requires students to satisfy the graduate program requirements and overall sociology program requirements. See the Ph.D. student handbook for more information.
- Forms and policies
Forms
- Graduate School Forms (plan of work, transfer of credits)
- Annual Doctoral Student Review (Progress Report)
- Ph.D. Coursework Worksheet
- Preliminary Examination Application
- Preliminary Examination Application (old system)
- Specialty Declaration Form
Policies
- Plan of work
For students with an M.A. in Sociology
This sample plan of work/graduate course sequencing represents one path to degree completion and does not guarantee graduation by the proposed timeline, subject to student performance and class availability. Students are advised to meet with their advisor to develop an individualized plan of work.
On a case-by-case basis, two additional prerequisite classes (Classical Theory and Research Methods) may
be waived; if not waived, see sequencing below.Semester one
Course # Title Credits SOC 6280 Social Statistics 3 SOC 6060 Social Theory 3 Elective I 3 Total 9 Note: Social theory may be offered every other year or in the third semester, depending on student needs.
Semester two
Course # Title Credits SOC 6290 Social Statistics II 3 Elective II 3 Cognate I 3 Total 9 Semester three
Course # Title Credits SOC 7260 Qualitative Methods 3 Cognate II 3 Elective III 3 Total 9 Note: Qualitative Methods is offered every fall semester or occasionally every third semester.
Semester four
Course # Title Credits SOC #### Another methods course (7270, 7280, 7500, 7510,
7520, 8200, or 8250)3 SOC #### Elective IV 3 Total 6 Note: Courses offered vary based on student needs; rounds out the third course in the methods sequence.
Semester five
Course # Title Credits Prelims SOC 9991 Doctoral Candidate Status I: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester six
Course # Title Credits SOC 9992 Doctoral Candidate Status II: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester seven
Course # Title Credits SOC 9993 Doctoral Candidate Status III: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester eight
Course # Title Credits SOC 9994 Doctoral Candidate Status IV: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semesters beyond eight
For semesters beyond eight: SOC 9995: Candidate Maintenance Status: Doctoral Dissertation (maintenance credits; must be enrolled consecutively).
- Plan of work alternate
For students with an M.A. in a related discipline other than sociology
This sample plan of work/graduate course sequencing represents one path to degree completion and does not guarantee graduation by the proposed timeline, subject to student performance and class availability. Students are advised to meet with their advisor to develop an individualized plan of work.
Semester one
Course # Title Credits SOC 7200 Statistical Methods 3 SOC 6280 Social Statistics I 3 SOC #### Elective I 3 Total 9 Semester two
Course # Title Credits SOC 6050 Social Theory I 3 SOC 6290 Social Statistics II 3 SOC #### Elective II 3 Total 9 Semester three
Course # Title Credits SOC 7260 Qualitative Methods 3 SOC 6060 Social Theory II 3 SOC #### Cognate I 3 Total 9 Note:
- Qualitative Methods may be offered every other term or occasionally every third term.
- Social Theory II may be offered every other year or in the third semester, depending on student needs.
Semester four
Course # Title Credits SOC Another methods course (7270, 7280, 7500, 7510,
7520, 8200, or 8250)3 SOC #### Elective III 3 Total 6 Note: Course may be offered every other year or in the third semester, depending on student needs.
Semester five
Course # Title Credits SOC #### Elective IV 3 SOC #### Cognate II 3 Total 6 Semester six
Course # Title Credits Prelims SOC 9991 Doctoral Candidate Status I: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester seven
Course # Title Credits SOC 9992 Doctoral Candidate Status II: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester eight
Course # Title Credits SOC 9993 Doctoral Candidate Status III: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semester nine
Course # Title Credits SOC 9994 Doctoral Candidate Status IV: Dissertation Research and Direction 7.5 Total 7.5 Semesters beyond nine
For semesters beyond nine: SOC 9995: Candidate Maintenance Status: Doctoral Dissertation (maintenance credits; must be enrolled consecutively).
- Dissertation prospectus and final dissertation defense
Students should work with their dissertation adviser to finalize their proposal. Once the adviser approves the draft, the proposal is sent to the entire dissertation committee for review. Faculty members are given a minimum of three weeks to read the document and give feedback, preferably in writing.
The dissertation committee should meet following this time to discuss the proposal and then decide whether it is defendable. The student is not present at this meeting. Only after all committee members agree that the proposal is defendable can an oral defense of the dissertation proposal be scheduled.
Note: This pre-defense meeting is a change from our previous policy.
Pre-defense meeting outcomes
Option one
The committee decides to move forward with the proposal defense; the student makes revisions required by the committee, preferably provided to the student in a written summary based on the discussion at the meeting. The advisor works with the committee to schedule a proposal defense date.
Option two
The committee decides not to move forward with the proposal defense; if this is the outcome, then the process restarts. The student will work with their adviser and will resubmit to the committee a revised proposal. Ideally, the student would provide the committee with a memo indicating the specific revisions (similar to a response memo for a manuscript) that were made in response to the committee's concerns and suggestions. The committee will then have a minimum of three weeks to read the revised proposal and decide if this version warrants a defense. If the committee deems the proposal acceptable, the advisor will work with the committee to schedule a defense date.
After a successful defense, students submit a Conflict of Interest Form along with the Prospectus and Record of Approval Form. The candidate and each member of the dissertation committee must disclose any potential conflicts and sign the form.
Final dissertation defense
The process outlined above is the same, with one exception. Pre-defense paperwork must be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the final dissertation defense (conflict of interest, final report form, and advertisement of the defense). The Graduate School reviews the paperwork and, if approved, will send it to the adviser before the defense. After a successful defense, the committee will sign the bottom portion of the final report form for submission to the Graduate School.
See Ph.D. final defense. It is recommended that the advisor use the pre-defense committee meeting to sign all paperwork.
Defending the dissertation and graduating in the same semester
If students wish to graduate the same term they defend their dissertation, students must deliver a full draft of the written work to all committee members at least six weeks before the last day to defend in the semester in which they graduate. Failing to do so will not give committee members adequate time to read, comment, and approve moving forward with the dissertation defense before the Graduate School deadline. Keep in mind that students often have some revisions following the oral defense.
Career insights
A degree in sociology can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Climate change policy analyst | $74,000 |
| Equal opportunity representatives and officers | $74,000 |
| Historian | $62,000 |
| Labor relations specialist | $72,000 |
| Social science research assistants | $52,000 |
| Sociologist | $63,000 |
| Sociology teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Contact 💬
For more information on our graduate programs, please contact socgraddirector@wayne.edu.