About This Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology program is designed to prepare students for advanced research and teaching positions in the field. With a focus on original research and a diverse range of specializations, this program provides students with the skills needed to make a lasting impact in sociology.Read more...

有限公司ntact Information

• Program Coordinator:Susan Roxburgh|sroxburg@kent.edu| 330-672-3125
• 有限公司nnect with an Admissions Counselor:U.S. Student|International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics'Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit thegraduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit theinternational admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000 point scale
• Official transcripts(s)
• GRE scores (taken within the last five years)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages), describing current academic interests, research interests, long-range career goals and how admission to the Department of Sociology at Kent State University will facilitate the achievement of these goals
• Three letters of recommendation from current/former professors who can adequately evaluate the applicant's past work and potential
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 82 MELAB score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score

Admission to the Ph.D. degree is limited to students whose records clearly indicate both scholarly and research potential to do doctoral-level work. For more information about graduate admissions, visit thegraduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit theOffice of Global Education website.

¹

Applications for admission are accepted from those who will have a completed a master's degree upon starting the program. It is limited to students whose records clearly indicate both scholarly and research potential to do doctoral-level work.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: December 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Candidacy Requirement

To earn the Ph.D. degree, students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination. The examination will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student’s specialty area.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sociological theory by using it to better understand social phenomena and human behavior, develop new theoretical arguments and pose and attempt to answer research questions.
2. Demonstrate a an advanced understanding of research methods in sociology, including both quantitative methods (e.g., survey, experimental) and qualitative methods (e.g., participant observation, content analysis).
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of statistics in application to social research, including advanced techniques (e.g., structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling).
4. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex scientific literatures and execute sophisticated original research through the successful completion of a dissertation project.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Sociology provides students with advanced training for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in both the public and private sectors. The program offers specializations in criminology and deviance, the sociology of health and mental health, social inequalities (race, class, gender) and social psychology.