ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS
Sociology is not accepting applications for Fall 2025.
View the Sociology digital brochure
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 univerities, 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/ Environmental Sociology
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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.
If you are interested in or have questions about sociology’s graduate program, please contact:
Grad Chair email: Daisy Reyes
To apply, visit the UC Merced Graduate Division website.
(*Indicate on your application that you are applying to the Sociology Ph.D. Program)
Updated October 2024
