Development Sociology (PhD) at Cornell University

Programme overview

Located within the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, our doctoral program in development studies focuses on ‘development,’ a central and contested concept that gained prominence after World War II, which implies progressive change toward improving economies and people’s well-being while conserving nature at local, regional, and global scales.

Faculty: Cornell Graduate School | Department: Development Studies | Duration: 6 semesters minimum | Intake: Fall | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

Concentrations: Development sociology (minor), Methods of social research (minor), Population and development, Rural and environmental sociology, State, economy, and society.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

all Graduate School requirements , including the English language proficiency requirement for all applicants; three letters of recommendation; academic CV (upload PDF); short writing sample (under 10 pages, upload PDF) Application deadline: Fall, December 1; no spring admissions

USD 20,800 a year (2026-27). Doctoral tuition per year ($10,400 per semester); the source states $20,800 applies to Ph.D., D.M.A. and J.S.D. programs in endowed and contract colleges; tuition only. Source

Graduate School applications are submitted online through the Graduate School application; the application fee is $105. Each graduate field sets its own deadlines, and many fall between early December and mid-January.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/application-steps/apply-now/

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