The Sociology Graduate Program at Texas A&M University is a generalist program that supports a wide array of research interests. The main research areas of our department are:
- Crime, Law and Deviance
- Culture
- Demography
- Organizational, Political and Economic Sociology
- Race, Class and Gender
- Social Psychology
Each area is supported by a diverse group of faculty members and graduate students who publish and conduct research in the area, providing doctoral students professional training and in-depth knowledge of the area.
Through the doctoral program, you will become proficient at:
- Delivering conference presentations at professional meetings
- Publishing articles in professional journals
- Preparing grant proposals for research funding
You will develop these skills by conducting independent research in your selected area. You will work closely with one or more faculty members to produce co-authored and single-authored research publications.
Program Requirements
The final basis for granting the degree will be your grasp of the subject matter in your specialized area and a demonstrated ability to do independent research with an impact on society. You also must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written form.
Overview of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
Major and Minor
Doctoral students are required to fulfill course requirements for a major (three courses) and a minor (one course). The major and minor can come from any of the American Sociological Association (ASA) sections. The requirement is that faculty members in our department should have knowledge suitable for judging comprehensive exams in the major and minor.
Careers
Students who graduate with a doctoral degree in sociology have a wide spectrum of career fields from which to choose, including careers as professors, lecturers and researchers in the public and private spheres.