Ph.D. Program

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT REGARDING ADMISSIONS DECISIONS.  THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCE WILL HAVE ALL NOTIFICATIONS OUT NO LATER THAN MARCH 15TH.

Please visit our Prospective Ph.D. FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.

The Department of Sociology emphasizes both theoretical scholarship and creativity and substantive empirical research. It encourages a range of different analytic perspectives and maintains strength in both quantitative and qualitative methods. The Ph.D. program complements contemporary American research--including that focused on New York City--with international and historical studies. Among its areas of strength are gender studies; social inequality; crime, law and deviance; organizations and economy; political sociology, including social movements; community; and culture.

In addition to formal course work, the department offers Ph.D. students a chance to participate in collaborative research projects through its apprenticeship program and organized research workshops. This gives Ph.D. students an early research experience, and leads NYU faculty and students to publish an unusually high number of co-authored papers. Faculty members also work with students individually or in small groups, tailoring programs to students' interests. Students also have access to the department's extensive computer resources. 

The department offers four continuing public research workshops, where faculty and Ph.D. students present and criticize each other's work-in-progress. These workshops are "Politics, Power, and Protest," "Gender and Inequality," "Crime, Law and Deviance," and "Culture, Institutions, and Social Change." The department also organizes an active program of colloquia, conferences, and speakers, and Ph.D. students themselves organize a conference each year. 

To prepare Ph.D. students interested in careers as college and university teachers, the department offers a special program in the teaching of Sociology. This includes seminars and a Ph.D. program of practical experience in which students work as teaching assistants with increasing levels of responsibility.