Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology

Get your PhD in Sociology

At Iowa, the PhD program in Sociology is designed to provide you with rigorous training in theory and methods, with specialized programs in social psychology, gender, and social and political organizations. Our program offers intensive faculty guidance, interdisciplinary coursework, and a wide array of research and teaching opportunities to prepare you for careers in academic, private, and government institutions.

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Program overview

Curriculum and summary of coursework

Students who wish to pursue the PhD in Sociology may enter with a MA degree in Criminology or Sociology from another university or may first earn the MA degree in Sociology at the University of Iowa. A MA Thesis or MA Research Paper is required and must be approved before the PhD in Sociology. The requirements of the MA in Sociology with intention to continue to the PhD in Sociology are mapped below:

	SH	Minimum Grade	Primary Learning Outcomes
SOC:5110 Research Design and Methods	3	B-	[1] Develop a foundation in sociological theory
SOC:5160 Research Design and Methods	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
SOC:6170 Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
SOC:6180 Linear Models in Sociological Research	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
SOC:7270 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity I	2	Pass	[1] Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
SOC:7271 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity II	2	Pass	[1] Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
At least three (≥9sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least two of (≥6sh) which must be SOC CRIM:7030 or SOC:7030 Readings & Research, up to a maximum of 3sh^a SOC:6080 Master's Thesis ^a	Combined ≥11	Combined 3.25 GPA	[1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in criminological and social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly and research communication skills [6] Develop skills to work with policy makers

Notes:

^a By arrangement with instructor, non-graded or graded option.

Students may only advance to or be accepted into the PhD in Criminology upon completing the University of Iowa Sociology MA with Thesis or Research Paper, or by entering with an equivalent Sociology or Criminology MA/MS granted by a peer program at another university. To complete the PhD, students must take a total of 72sh; a minimum of 36 must be taken after the MA is conferred. PhD curriculum requirements are mapped below:

	SH	Minimum Grade	Primary Learning Outcomes(s)
One advanced sociological theory course such as SOC:6110	3	B-	[2] Develop expertise in criminological theory
Two elective courses in methods/statistics numbered 5000 or above	≥3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
At least five (≥15sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least four (≥12sh) of which must be SOC CRIM: 7030 or SOC:7030 Readings & Research^a SOC: 7090 PhD Dissertation^{a, b}	Combined ≥27	Combined 3.25 GPA	[1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in criminological theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly communication skills [6] Develop skills to work with policy makers

Minimum Grade

Primary Learning Outcomes(s)

One advanced sociological theory course such as SOC:6110

B-

[2] Develop expertise in criminological theory

Two elective courses in methods/statistics numbered 5000 or above

≥3

B-

[1] Develop research methodology skillset

At least five (≥15sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least four (≥12sh) of which must be SOC

CRIM: 7030 or SOC:7030 Readings & Research^a

SOC: 7090 PhD Dissertation^{a, b}

Combined ≥27

Combined 3.25 GPA

[1] Develop research methodology skillset

[2] Develop expertise in criminological theory

[3] Develop substantive expertise

[4] Develop scholarly communication skills

[6] Develop skills to work with policy makers

Notes:

^a By arrangement with instructor, non-graded or graded option.

^b Applicable to the 72sh requirement but cannot be used to obtain the 36sh post-MA requirement.

Elective courses

18 s.h. from these:

	SH
SOC:5250 Graduate Writing	3
SOC:5310 Gender Theory	3
SOC:5510 Sociology of Health	3
SOC:6110 Theory Construction and Analysis	3
SOC:6140 Sem: Select Topics Sociological Theory	3
SOC:6175 Qualitative Methods	3
SOC:6210 Contemporary Approach Social Psychology	3
SOC:6220 Sem: Select Topics Social Psychology	3
SOC:6264 Post-Industrial Cities	3
SOC:6310 Gender Stratification Seminar	3
SOC:6320 Sociology of Religion	3
SOC:6420 Sem: Select Topics in Deviance and Control	3
SOC:6440 Crime and Health in the Life Course	3
SOC:6450 Sem: Select Topics in Comparative Criminology	3
SOC:6550 Environment and Society	3
SOC:6610 Complex Organizations	3
SOC:6740 Racial Inequality	3
SOC:6750 Race and Crime	3
SOC:6180 Social Stratification	3
SOC:7010 Teaching Sociology	3
SOC:7030 Reading and Research Tutorial	3
SOC:7170 Advanced Statistical Modeling of Data	3
SOC:7175 Social Science Research: Big Data	3
SOC:7410 Communities and Crime	3
SOC:7460 Sociology of Law Seminar	3
SOC:7500 Sem: Select Topics in Political Sociology	3
SOC:7620 Soc Networks: Theory and Sociological Apps	3
SOC:7820 Sem: Select Topics in Social Stratification	3

Program milestones and experiences

	Description and Primary Learning Outcomes
Milestone 1	MA Thesis/Research Paper [1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly communication skills
Milestone 2	Comprehensive Exam [1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [5] Teaching preparation [6] Develop crime policy analysis skills
Milestone 3	Dissertation Prospectus [1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly communication skills
Milestone 4	Dissertation [1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly communication skills
Experience 1	Teaching Assistantships [5] Teaching preparation
Experience 2	Research Assistantships and Co-authorship/Collaborative Research Experiences with Faculty Mentors [1] Develop research methodology skillset [2] Develop expertise in criminological and social science theory [3] Develop criminological and social science substantive expertise [4] Develop scholarly communication skills [6] Develop crime policy analysis skills
Experience 3	Departmental Committee Service [7] Socialization to discipline
Experience 4	Departmental Workshop/Talk Series Reinforces all learning outcomes
Experience 5	Professional Development Workshops [4] Develop scholarly communication skills [7] Socialization to discipline

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