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Doctor of Philosophy Program in Sociology

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree. It signifies that the recipient can conduct independent research, has a broad basic knowledge of sociology, and has a comprehensive knowledge of at least two chosen areas of specialization.

General Course Requirements: In addition to the requirements described above under Grade and Point Requirements, Ph.D. requirements include 72 points of graduate work (at least 36 in residence at New York University). At least 48 of the points required for the Ph.D. degree must be in regular sociology courses. Up to 12 of the remaining 24 points may be reading or dissertation courses that involve individual work with a member of the faculty. The acceptability of courses outside sociology depends on the relevance of the work to sociology as judged by the department. Credit for work done elsewhere requires the approval of the director of graduate studies. In addition, a minimum of 4 points in a regular, listed seminar (any 3000-level course except reading and dissertation courses) must be included among the 72 points for the Ph.D. degree.

Methods and Statistics Requirement: Ph.D. students must pass with a B or better two semesters of the Methods and Statistics sequence and one course satisfying the “second methods course requirement.” Transfer students should see the director of graduate studies when first registering in order to determine what courses may be required of them.

Theory Requirement: The department requires that all students become familiar with major sociological theories and theoretical reasoning. This requirement is fulfilled with one basic and one advanced theory course, with at least a B in each.

Basic Course Requirement: This requirement aims to ensure that students receive a strong base of knowledge in selected subfields of sociology. Students early in their career benefit from learning the basics of an area, as organized by experts currently working in it. This training facilitates students’ abilities to engage in research in the area and aids them as they prepare their areas for the Ph.D. comprehensive examination. To meet this requirement, students must achieve a B or better in each of two departmental 2000-level courses, excluding those 2000-level courses in theory and methods.

Research Paper Requirement: This requirement aims to ensure that all students gain research experience early in their graduate student career. The paper is written, ordinarily during the second year of study, under the guidance of a faculty supervisor and must be approved as well by a second reader.

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination: The required two written examinations are organized around areas that the student has studied in consultation with members of the faculty. These two written examinations should be taken by the end of the third year of full-time study. The examination process tests the student’s knowledge of these two areas of study and his or her ability to draw on the discipline as a whole in applying both theory and research methodology to social problems.

Dissertation: The proposal for the dissertation and the dissertation itself are researched and written in consultation with a committee of at least three advisers. Upon approval of the advisers, the dissertation is defended before an examining committee of five faculty members (including the three dissertation advisers). At least four affirmative votes are required for passing a dissertation defense.

Time Limits: All requirements must be completed within ten years of the inception of graduate study, or seven years from return to graduate study if the candidate holds the master’s degree at the time of readmission. Extensions of this time limit, if granted, are usually conditional.

It cannot be overemphasized that the accumulation of high grades in formal courses, while important, is secondary to the demonstration of the capacity for original thinking and to the completion of research that contributes significantly to the field and is effectively presented in publications and the dissertation.