UC Merced’s Sociology Ph.D. program offers advanced graduate training in several sub-areas of the discipline to prepare students for research-oriented careers as professors and researchers at colleges and universities, as well as non-academic jobs, such as in non-profit, advocacy, or governmental organizations.
Our curriculum provides students with a rigorous education that includes extensive training and experience in social theory, multiple research methods and advanced statistics, as well as several substantive sub-areas in sociology.
Faculty mentors work closely with students to design their study plan and advise their independent research projects for the MA thesis and dissertation. Students choose among graduate concentrations in the following core departmental areas:
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Race and Ethnicity
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Gender and Sexuality
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Health
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Political Sociology
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Social Movements
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Education
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Immigration
In addition to these core areas, our faculty also have expertise on environmental sociology, intersectionality, organizations, economic sociology, and law/criminology.
ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS:
Yes, we will be admitting students to our Ph.D. program for Fall 2021! Applications will be due in mid-January 2021. Irenee Beattie, Graduate Chair in the Department of Sociology at UC Merced, will be hosting an interactive webinar for prospective Ph.D. applicants in September 2020. This will be an opportunity for potential applicants to learn more about the campus, the department, and the Ph.D. program. You will have an opportunity to ask questions. Sign up here to join the mailing list for more information on this event.
Thank you for your interest in our program!
View the Sociology digital brochure
To apply, visit the UC Merced Graduate Division website.
(*Indicate on your application that you are applying to the Sociology Ph.D. Program)
If you are interested in graduate studies, please contact Associate Professor Irenee Beattie, graduate chair of Sociology.