Overview
The Graduate Program in Sociology at the University of Miami is intended to equip students with the theoretical, methodological, and analytical tools required for research and teaching. The Graduate Program in Sociology is designed for students seeking the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology. The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is earned during the first portion of the program. At the doctoral level, graduate students choose primary and secondary concentrations. The primary substantive area must come from one of the three following departmental specializations:
- Criminology
- Race & Ethnic Relations, and Immigration
- Medical Sociology.
Although the strengths of the Department lie within these major programmatic fields, students may develop secondary concentrations that meet unique research interests and career objectives. Assistantships and fellowships are awarded each academic year to cover tuition and living expenses.
For more details, consult the Guide to Graduate Study in Sociology available through the Sociology Department.
Admission Requirements
All incoming graduate students are admitted to the Ph.D. program and must be committed to pursuing the Ph.D. degree. The Graduate Program in Sociology at the University of Miami does not accept students who aspire to earn a terminal M.A. degree.
All applicants to the Ph.D. program are evaluated across several indicators of academic potential, including grade point averages (GPA), letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose. Applicants without graduate experience are expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.20 in undergraduate coursework. Applicants with graduate experience are expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.50 in graduate coursework. All applicants should provide three (3) letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with their academic work and scholarly potential. At least two of these letters should come from professors currently or previously employed in a college or university. All applicants should provide a brief (no more than three pages), yet compelling, statement of purpose. This statement should clearly describe the applicant’s academic background, research interests, and professional goals. It should also clearly indicate how the student’s research interests are consistent with the research strengths of the department. Non-native English speakers should be prepared to demonstrate English language proficiency, as indicated by minimum scores of 80 (internet based), 213 (computer based), or 550 (paper based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. Alternatively, applicants may submit ISLETS results; the minimum score should be 6.5. An international evaluation also needs to be conducted on official transcripts by an accredited company (i.e. World Evaluation Services).
Curriculum Requirements
Course requirements for students WITH a M.A. in Sociology from UM:1
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UM M.A. in Sociology | 31 | |
| SOC 602 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Advanced Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| or SOC 613 | Qualitative Research Methods | |
| SOC 622 | Teaching Seminar in Sociology | 3 |
| Three courses toward the primary substantive area | 9 | |
| Two courses toward the secondary substantive area | 6 | |
| Dissertation Work: 3 | 12 | |
| Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Students must pass a comprehensive written examination in the primary substantive area | ||
| Students must complete a paper of publishable quality | ||
| Students must be admitted to candidacy | ||
| Students must complete a written presentation and oral defense of an acceptable dissertation | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 67 | |
- 1
It is anticipated that some of these credits hours will have been taken before completing the MA by students with continuous funding.
- 2
The course taken for the Ph.D. must be different from the course taken for the M.A. degree.
- 3
12 hours are needed to graduate. These hours should be a combination of SOC 830/SOC 840, but no more than 6 in SOC 830. SOC 830 is used during pre-candidacy – e.g., writing a publishable paper – while SOC 840 is used when writing a dissertation (post-candidacy).
- *
The completion of all other requirements stated in sections of the Bulletin devoted to requirements for the Doctoral Degrees and General Information.
Curriculum Requirements
Course requirements for students WITHOUT a M.A. in Sociology from UM but with a master's degree in Sociology or related field: 1
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NOTE: A master's degree in Sociology (non-UM) or related area is required for admission and a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for the Ph.D. including the following: | ||
| SOC 601 | Classical Sociological Theory 3 | 3 |
| SOC 602 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 604 | Proseminar in Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 609 | Social Statistics 3 | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Advanced Research Methods 3 | 3 |
| SOC 611 | Advanced Sociological Statistical Analysis I | 3 |
| SOC 613 | Qualitative Research Methods 3 | 3 |
| SOC 622 | Teaching Seminar in Sociology | 3 |
| Three courses toward the primary substantive area | 9 | |
| Two courses toward the secondary substantive area | 6 | |
| Dissertation Work: 2 | 12 | |
| Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Students must pass a written comprehensive examination in the primary substantive area | ||
| Students must complete a paper of publishable quality | ||
| Students must be admitted to candidacy | ||
| Students must complete a written presentation and oral defense of an acceptable dissertation | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 49 | |
- 1
The number of hours will vary depending on whether/how many required courses are waived by assessment.
- 2
12 hours are needed to graduate. These hours should be a combination of SOC 830/SOC 840, but no more than 6 in SOC 830. SOC 830 is used during pre-candidacy – e.g., writing a publishable paper – while SOC 840 is used when writing a dissertation (post-candidacy).
- 3
SOC 601, SOC 609, SOC 610 and/or SOC 613, may be waived through assessment.
- *
The completion of all other requirements stated in sections of the Bulletin devoted to requirements for the Doctoral Degrees and General Information.
Substantive Area Coursework Requirements
All Ph.D. students are required to select primary and secondary substantive areas. The primary area requires the successful completion of both nine (9) credits of relevant coursework and of a comprehensive examination. The secondary area requires the successful completion of two courses (6 credits) without a comprehensive exam. Although students are encouraged to select both primary and secondary areas from the fields of Criminology; Medical Sociology; and Race, Ethnic Relations and Immigration, they have the option of selecting the secondary area from outside of these three standing areas. If an option other than Criminology; Medical Sociology; or Race, Ethnic Relations and Immigration is chosen, a detailed and persuasive proposal must be submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Committee before the student begins any coursework in this area. Check with the Graduate Director about the content and structure of this proposal. No more than three (3) credit hours of independent study (SOC 690) or out-of-department coursework will count toward the completion of a substantive area without prior approval from the Graduate Committee. In addition, no single course may count toward two substantive areas.
Primary Area Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Criminology Courses | 9 | |
| SOC 670 | Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice (required) | 3 |
| SOC 672 | Research in Crime and Delinquency (required) | 3 |
| SOC 684 | Advances in Criminological Theory and Its Testing (required) 1 | 3 |
| Medical Sociology Courses | 9 | |
| SOC 635 | Medical Sociology: Issues in Research and Theory. (required) | 3 |
| Any two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Social Psychology of Health and Illness | ||
| Health Diversity Across the Life Course | ||
| Special Topics and Current Issues in Medical Sociology | ||
| Race, Ethnic Relations and Immigration Courses | 9 | |
| SOC 652 | Theories of Race and Ethnic Relations (required) | 3 |
| Any two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Social Analysis of Race Relations | ||
| Race Relations: Social Psychological Perspectives | ||
| Special Topics and Current Issues in Race/Ethnic Relations | ||
- 1
Other doctoral courses offered in Criminology may be appropriate to substitute for SOC 684 depending on the student's interests. Consult with Graduate Director and the Chair of the Criminology Area.
Secondary Area Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Criminology Courses | 6 | |
| SOC 670 | Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or SOC 672 | Research in Crime and Delinquency | |
| One additional criminology course | 3 | |
| Medical Sociology Courses | 6 | |
| SOC 635 | Medical Sociology: Issues in Research and Theory. | 3 |
| One additional course from the following: | 3 | |
| Social Psychology of Health and Illness | ||
| Health Diversity Across the Life Course | ||
| Special Topics and Current Issues in Medical Sociology | ||
| Race, Ethnic Relations and Immigration Courses | 6 | |
| Any two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Social Analysis of Race Relations | ||
| Race Relations: Social Psychological Perspectives | ||
| Theories of Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Special Topics and Current Issues in Race/Ethnic Relations | ||
Sample Plan of Study
Ph.D. WITH an MA from University of Miami:
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| SOC 622 | Teaching Seminar in Sociology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 610 or 613 | Advanced Research Methods or Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 602 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| SOC 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 3 |
| SOC 840 | Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 840 | Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 840 | Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 38 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Students WITHOUT an MA in Sociology from University of Miami but with a master's degree in Sociology or related field:
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| SOC 601 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 604 | Proseminar in Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 609 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 622 | Teaching Seminar in Sociology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 602 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 611 | Advanced Sociological Statistical Analysis I | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 613 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Substantive Area Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 6 |
| SOC 840 | Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 840 | Post-Candidacy Doctoral Dissertation | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 49 | |
Mission
The Graduate Program in Sociology at the University of Miami is designed to equip students with the theoretical, methodological, and analytical tools required for teaching and conducting research in academic and non-academic (e.g., government and private industry) settings. This goal is accomplished through a combination of classroom learning, comprehensive exams, independent research (particularly the thesis and dissertation), and teaching undergraduate students.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop a knowledge of, and the ability to use, classic and contemporary sociological theory.
- Students will develop knowledge of, and the ability to use, quantitative and qualitative research methods and analyses.
- Students will develop knowledge of two sub-fields in the discipline of sociology and demonstrate the ability to work in these areas.
- Students will develop knowledge fundamental to teaching sociology.
