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Sociology Graduate Program

The Department of Sociology at Texas A&M University - College Station offers graduate coursework and training leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Sociology and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree .

The department is one of only a handful of graduate programs in the State of Texas that confers the PhD degree. The size and breadth of its program places it among the leading sociology doctoral departments in the nation.

The department's graduate program is geared to PhD students with the MS degree typically being earned as a step in the progression from the bachelors degree to PhD degree.

Prospective Graduate Students

The Sociology Department accepts a new "cohort" of students into the graduate program each Fall semester and encourages interested persons to consider our program. Click on the following link to go to pages geared to providing information to prospective students about what the program offers, what the review criteria are, and what steps are involved in applying for admission.

Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree

The PhD degree is the most advanced degree offered in sociology graduate programs. Students earning the PhD typically go on to careers in teaching and research in academic settings and research and related professional positions in government agencies and private and non-profit organizations.

The degree requirements include an earned masters (or equivalent) degree, 64 hours of combined coursework and research hours, passing exams in two areas of specialization, and completion of a doctoral dissertation research project. The degree can be and often is completed in less than three years. Most commonly, however, students complete the work in 3-4 years.

For further details regarding the degree requirements for the PhD click on the following link.

PhD Degree Requirements - Further Details

Master of Science (MS) Degree

The MS degree can be a terminal degree, but students in our program typically earn the MS as part of their progression from the bachelors degree to the PhD. Students earning the MS degree usually go on to earn a doctoral degree. Those who do not go on for the PhD usually go on to careers in research and related professional positions in government agencies and in private and non-profit organizations.

There are many kinds of positions and career paths for students earning the MS degree so no simple generalization can cover all of the possibilities. However, as a rule positions requiring the MS degree typically involve executing the basic tasks of sociological research and analysis while positions requiring the PhD are likely to additionally involve novel conceptualization, advanced research design, and primary responsibility for interpretation of results.

The degree requirements include an earned bachelors (or equivalent) degree, 34 hours of combined coursework and research hours, and completion of a masters thesis research project. (Alternatively, there is a non-thesis option that involves additional coursework.) The MS degree is typically completed in two years or less.

For further details regarding the degree requirements click on the following link.

MS Degree Requirements - Further Details

Career Opportunities for Sociologists

Many career opportunities are open to students who earn graduate degrees in sociology. Students earning the PhD typically go on to careers in teaching and research in academic settings and research and related professional positions in government agencies and private and non-profit organizations. Students earning the MS degree (but not the PhD) typically go on to careers in research and related professional positions in government agencies and in private and non-profit organizations.

There are many kinds of positions and career paths for students earning the PhD and MS degrees so no simple generalization can cover all of the possibilities. However, as a rule positions requiring the MS degree typically involve executing the basic tasks of sociological research and analysis while positions requiring the PhD are likely to additionally involve novel conceptualization, advanced research design, and primary responsibility for interpretation of results. Teaching positions in colleges and universities generally require the PhD. The PhD credential is also often required for positions of higher responsibility within government agencies and in organizations in the private and non-profit sectors.

Contact Information

For additional information about the graduate program and advising, contact Wendy Moore, Graduate Advisor for the Department of Sociology at Texas A&M University-College Station.

Wendy Moore

Professor and Graduate Advisor

Department of Sociology

Mail Stop 4351

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-4351

979-845-6549 (office)

979-845-5133 (department)

979-862-4057 (fax)

For assistance with procedures, forms, registration, and other graduate-related business, contact Ms. Bethany Edwards, Office Associate.

To check on the status of application materials, contact.

Bethany Edwards