Ph.D. Program

Our program is a Ph.D. program and we seek students who are willing to make the commitment to the Ph.D. Most students enter with a BA and obtain the MA in Sociology in the first two years of the program, then proceed to the Ph.D. Students who are admitted with the MA in Sociology from another institution will typically finish the Ph.D. program in a shorter time.

The following materials are required to complete the application package:

1. Official test scores from the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  The code for University of Connecticut (Storrs) is 3915.
2. A 2-3 page personal statement that indicates your reasons for pursuing graduate study in sociology, your areas of intended concentration in sociology, your academic and life experiences that motivate you to study sociology, and your ultimate career goals once you obtain your PhD. You should also provide information about your preparation to do graduate work in sociology, strengths and weaknesses as a student, teaching or research experience, and any academic honors, scholarships, or fellowships you have received. If you have any research projects which you have presented at professional conferences or published, please list them.
3. Three letters of recommendation from faculty or other persons who know you well.  There is no form for letters of recommendation, but they should appear on letterhead with complete contact information for the person writing the letter.
4. A writing sample. This can be a course paper or any other substantial written document that conveys your writing ability and sociological ability.
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities that you have studied, regardless of whether or not a degree was awarded.
7. Additional application requirements for international students and information on English proficiency can be found at The Graduate School website.
8. An application fee of $75. The Graduate School is unable to provide waivers for the application, and applications will not be processed until the fee is paid.

Any inquiries about the status of your application should be directed to The Graduate School by email at gradschool@uconn.edu or by phone at (860) 486-3617. Questions about the Sociology program should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies.

All applicants are also strongly encouraged to nominate themselves for additional funding opportunities offered through The Graduate School. After submitting your application to The Graduate School, you will be able to submit the form to request consideration for the Fellowship from your Application Management page: http://connect.grad.uconn.edu/apply

Accelerated MA in Sociology

Admission to the Accelerated MA in Sociology is a two-step process open to current UConn students in their junior year. Potential applicants are urged to meet with an undergraduate academic advisor to assure that they can fulfill all of their existing BA requirements while beginning their MA study. Students are not required to take the GRE.

Students must identify a faculty member they wish to work closely with during their master’s degree. It is recommended that students reach out to this faculty member before they apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current UConn undergraduate student
• Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher recommended
• Approval from a faculty member that will serve as your advisor

Application Materials:

• Statement of Purpose
• Unofficial Transcript
• Name of Faculty Advisor

Current UConn students apply by spring of their junior year via this application form.

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program typically receive the following types of appointments:

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (typically for pre-MA students): involves assisting a faculty member in his/her undergraduate or graduate courses with preparation of exams, grading, meeting with students during office hours, class administration, and sometimes leading class discussion sections.
Graduate Instructors (typically for post-MA students): involves full responsibility for teaching one’s own undergraduate class.
Research Assistant: involves assisting faculty with their research projects that are funded by internal or external grants.

Graduate Assistant stipend levels are as follows:

Level I: graduate assistants with at least BA

Level II: graduate assistants who achieve the MA in Sociology or a closely related field from the University of Connecticut or another university.

Level III: graduate assistants who have attained the MA in Sociology and passed the doctoral general exam.

All financial awards are the same, regardless of whether the student is an in-state or out-of-state resident or an international student. For more information about stipends, see the Payroll Department Website.

Arnold and Sandra Dashefsky Student Award for Excellence
Michael L. Dunphy Award
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
Ron Taylor Award

See a full list of departmental scholarships and fellowships

All applicants are strongly encouraged to nominate themselves for additional funding opportunities offered through The Graduate School. After submitting your application to The Graduate School, you will be able to submit the form to request consideration for the Fellowship from your Application Management page: http://connect.grad.uconn.edu/apply

Jorgensen and Harriott Fellowship
Conference Participation Award
Summer Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

See a full list of Graduate School fellowship opportunities