Sociology PhD

Rigorous training and mentorship

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.

Admission

First, you need to meet the minimum PhD admission requirements. Other criteria for admission include:

Requirements

Admission to graduate study in sociology usually requires an undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.25. International students whose native language is not English should submit scores from the TOEFL exam (The University of Iowa's institutional code for the TOEFL exam is 6681). For information on the University of Iowa's English proficiency requirements, click here. GRE scores are not required.

In addition to fulfilling the Graduate College requirements for admission, applicants must complete a departmental application statement and use its personal reference forms in obtaining three letters of recommendation. We place a strong priority on those students seeking doctoral level research training.

Admission decisions are based on consideration of the following:

prior academic performance,
personal reference letters, and
the applicant's statement of reasons for pursuing advanced work in sociology.

The department has no specific undergraduate course requirements for admission, but a background in the social sciences with some statistical training is useful. A foreign language is not required for admission and there are no foreign language requirements for either the M.A. or Ph.D. in sociology.

Applicant Information

In order to receive full consideration, the application deadline is January 1 for admission the following fall. All materials must be submitted online, including three letters of reference.

The graduate application process has two steps:

Fill out and submit the Graduate College Application form (to begin application, scroll down to the link under 'Apply').
Upload required supplemental documents through a secure portal. Supplemental Graduate Student information

Materials that must be submitted to Graduate Admissions:

Transcripts from all institutions previously attended
TOEFL scores (for international students)
Application fee ($60; or $100 for international students)

Materials for the Department of Sociology:

If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship, you must complete the application on your Admission Profile through MyUI.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us: sociology@uiowa.edu.

Curriculum and Summary of Coursework

Students who wish to pursue the PhD in Criminology 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 Criminology. The requirements of the MA in Sociology with intention to continue to the PhD in Criminology are mapped below:

	Timing	SH	Minimum Grade	Primary Learning Outcomes
SOC:7270 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity I	Y1S1	2	Pass	[7] Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
SOC:6170 Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis	Y1S1	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
CRIM:5xxx Foundations of Criminological Theory	Y1S1	3	B-	[2] Develop expertise in criminological theory
SOC:5160 Research Design and Methods	Y1S2	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
SOC:7271 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity II	Y1S2	2	Pass	[7] Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
SOC:6180 Linear Models in Sociological Research	Y1S2	3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
CRIM: 5xxx Criminal Justice Systems	Y1S2	3	B-	[2] Develop expertise in criminological and social science theory [3] Develop substantive expertise [3] Develop scholarly and research communication skills [6] Develop skills to work with policy makers
At least three (≥9sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least two of (≥6sh) which must be CRIM^a CRIM:7030 or SOC:7030 Readings & Research, up to a maximum of 3sh^b SOC:6080 Master's Thesis^b	Y1-2	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 A list of elective courses is provided in Appendix A.

^b 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:

	Timing	SH	Minimum Grade	Primary Learning Outcomes(s)
CRIM:7xxx Advanced Criminological Theory ^c	Y2+	3	B-	[2] Develop expertise in criminological theory
Graduate Methods Course ^c	Y2+	≥3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
Graduate Methods Course ^c	Y2+	≥3	B-	[1] Develop research methodology skillset
At least five (≥15sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least four (≥12sh) of which must be CRIM ^a,^c CRIM: 7030 or SOC:7030 Readings & Research^b CRIM: 7090 PhD Dissertation^{b, d}	Y2+	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 A list of elective courses is provided in Appendix A.

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

^c Students must choose among approved courses or obtain approval by DGS.

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

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