PhD Sociology at University of California, Berkeley

Programme overview

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise as a department. We have been able to recruit superlative students year after year thanks to the efforts of the University, the faculty, and our current graduate students. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas.

Faculty: Graduate Division | Department: Sociology | Duration: 6 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Berkeley, CA, United States

What you will study

Required Courses Students are required to take a minimum of eight courses for the MA. An additional three courses for a total of eleven courses are required to receive the PhD. In their first year, most students are required to take the methods sequence (271A-B-C) and the theory sequence (201A-B).

Career pathways

Graduates enter career areas including Academia & Education, Nonprofit, Science & Research.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent from an institution of acceptable standing and may hold a master of arts in Sociology or another field. Previous concentration in Sociology is not required. The department does not accept applicants interested in a terminal Master of Arts in Sociology; this graduate program leads to the PhD. Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly from Educational Test Services (ETS). The institution code for Berkeley is 4833. Official IELTS score reports must be mailed directly to our office from British Council. TOEFL and IELTS score reports are only valid for two years. Additional Required Documents for Applications (continued from above) 4: Graduate Record Examinations (GRE): For 2025-26 admissions cycle, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) will be optional. 5. Statement of Purpose: Please describe your aptitude and motivation for graduate study in your area of specialization, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic plans or research interests in your chosen area of study, and your future

Duration: 6 years

Apply through the official page: https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/

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