Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology

Areas of specialization are: comparative and historical sociology; population studies, medical sociology, economic sociology, social psychology, sociology of religion and culture, and social networks and stratification. Our mentorship approach to graduate education allows students to have a close working relationship with faculty members. Research productivity is high, and most students publish by the time they graduate. Students also have the opportunity to receive teacher training and gain teaching experience. Duke provides extensive computer support services, a first-rate research library, and a comprehensive collection of social science data bases. Graduate study is further enhanced by opportunities to participate in many interdisciplinary programs and centers at Duke, such as the Population Research Institute, the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, the Center for Social Demography and Ethnography, the Center on Globalization, Governance and Competitiveness, the Duke Network Analysis Center, Kenan Ethics, and the Social Science Research Institute. The Duke University Department of Sociology is committed to maintaining its PhD program at the highest level of quality, and entrance into our program is highly competitive. To those who are accepted and enroll at Duke, we offer an intensive program of study, a supportive research environment, and the opportunity to learn the craft of scholarship from Duke's productive and diverse faculty. Our placements of recent PhDs in excellent jobs within academia and elsewhere are for us a source of pride and professional satisfaction. The Sociology Department at Duke University believes in fostering an inclusive environment where differences are respected, valued and integrated into every facet of the graduate experience. Through our commitment to diversity, we hope to create an atmosphere conducive to high quality education and research that supports the broad spectrum of differences of our students, faculty and staff. The Department of Sociology offers a challenging and rigorous program of study and research training leading to the PhD degree. Although graduate students headed for the PhD receive a Master’s degree at an appropriate point in their graduate careers here, our program of study is organized primarily for PhD candidates. The Duke Sociology Department has designed a rigorous graduate program to prepare students for successful careers in academia and in related fields that demand advanced research and teaching skills. The following materials, together with the University's Graduate Bulletin, should answer most of the questions students usually raise. You should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) if you are in doubt about how the statements made here or in the Bulletin pertain to you. Each student is responsible for knowing and meeting the requirements of the Department and the Graduate School.