The Stanford University PhD program in Sociology is a highly regarded and competitive graduate program that attracts top talent from around the world. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in sociological theory, research methods, and substantive areas of specialization. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration, the program prepares students for careers in academia, research, and policy.
Program Overview
The Stanford PhD program in Sociology is a five-year program that includes two years of coursework, followed by three years of dissertation research and writing. The program is highly individualized, with students working closely with faculty advisors to develop a personalized course of study. The curriculum includes a range of required and elective courses, as well as a comprehensive exam and a dissertation proposal defense.
The program has several areas of specialization, including inequality and social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, education, health and medicine, and economic sociology. Students can also pursue interdisciplinary research in areas such as demography, environmental sociology, and science and technology studies.
Admissions and Funding
Admission to the Stanford PhD program in Sociology is highly competitive, with an average acceptance rate of around 5%. Applicants must submit a range of materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The program also requires GRE scores, although these are not the only factor considered in the admissions process.
Students who are accepted into the program are typically provided with full funding, including a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Funding is provided through a combination of university fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Students can also apply for external funding, such as National Science Foundation grants and Ford Foundation fellowships.
| Area of Specialization | Number of Faculty | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| Inequality and Social Stratification | 10 | 20 |
| Race and Ethnicity | 8 | 15 |
| Gender and Sexuality | 6 | 10 |
| Education | 5 | 8 |
| Health and Medicine | 8 | 12 |
| Economic Sociology | 6 | 10 |
Research Opportunities
Stanford PhD students in Sociology have access to a range of research opportunities, including the Stanford Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality, the Stanford Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. Students can also participate in research projects and collaborations with faculty members, as well as pursue independent research projects.
The program also provides students with access to a range of research resources, including the Stanford University Libraries, the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, and the Stanford Center for Social Sciences. Students can also use statistical software and programming languages, such as R and Python, to analyze and interpret data.
Faculty and Research Areas
The Stanford Sociology faculty includes a range of distinguished scholars, with research areas that span from class and inequality to gender and sexuality. Some of the faculty members’ research areas include:
- Professor Michael Rosenfeld: demography, family sociology, and social networks
- Professor Shelley Correll: gender and sexuality, inequality, and organizations
- Professor Cecilia Ridgeway: gender and inequality, social psychology, and organizations
- Professor David Grusky: inequality and social stratification, poverty and policy, and economic sociology
What are the admission requirements for the Stanford PhD program in Sociology?
+The admission requirements for the Stanford PhD program in Sociology include a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The program also requires a writing sample and a CV.
What kind of funding is available for PhD students in Sociology at Stanford?
+PhD students in Sociology at Stanford are typically provided with full funding, including a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Funding is provided through a combination of university fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
What are the areas of specialization available in the Stanford PhD program in Sociology?
+The areas of specialization available in the Stanford PhD program in Sociology include inequality and social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, education, health and medicine, and economic sociology.
