Sociology

The Sociology program at Vanderbilt University offers students an comprehensive exploration of society, social institutions, and human behavior through rigorous coursework and research opportunities. Designed to provide a solid foundation in sociological theories, methodologies, and contemporary issues, the program equips students with critical thinking skills and empirical research experience essential for understanding complex social phenomena. Undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Sociology engage in various courses covering topics such as social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender studies, urban sociology, media and culture, and global social processes. The curriculum emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, enabling students to analyze social data effectively and contribute meaningfully to academic research, policy development, or applied work in community organizations. The program encourages active engagement with real-world social issues through internships, community-based projects, and collaborations with local agencies, fostering a practical understanding of sociology's impact on society. Students have access to dedicated faculty members who are experts in their fields, providing personalized mentorship and guidance tailored to individual academic and career interests. Vanderbilt’s vibrant academic environment and diverse student body create a dynamic setting for discussions, seminars, and extracurricular activities related to social justice, inequality, and societal change. Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue careers in research, education, public policy, social services, and law, among other fields, often leveraging their sociological knowledge to effect positive change. Overall, Vanderbilt’s Sociology program aims to develop well-rounded, socially conscious individuals who are prepared to address pressing social challenges with analytical rigor and ethical responsibility.

The Master’s Degree in Sociology is ordinarily earned as part of the work toward the Ph.D. The following requirements for the M.A. degree are to be completed by the student’s fourth semester:

• Soc. 6301, Classical Sociological Theory
• Soc. 6302, Contemporary Sociology Theory
• Soc. 6310, Sociological Inquiry: Introduction to Research Methods
• Soc. 6311, Statistics (Multivariate Analysis I)
• Soc. 6312, Statistics (Multivariate Analysis II)
• Soc. 7500, Workshop on Sociological Criticism
• 18 hours of elective course work (including one additional methods seminar, two survey seminars, and one special topic seminar)
• Pass the Master’s Paper

Total credit hours required for the M.A.: 36

To earn the Ph.D., students must first complete all requirements for the M.A. Additional requirements for the Ph.D.:

• 33 additional hours of electives
• Soc. 7400, Teaching Workshop
• Pass two Special Area Exams
• Satisfactory defense of dissertation proposal
• Completed dissertation
• Satisfactory defense of dissertation

Total credit hours required for the Ph.D. degree: 72

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited, four-year institution (or a course of study that is the equivalent of such a degree)
• A minimum of a B average in undergraduate work and a minimum of a B average in the field of expected graduate study
• GRE verbal and quantitative scores (the subject test is not required). Information about the GRE can be obtained from: Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, Box 6000, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6000, USA or at http://www.gre.org
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree at an English-speaking university must include a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score with the application. The Graduate School requires a minimum score of 570 (paper-based; 230 computer-based; or 88 Internet-based). Information about TOEFL can be obtained from TOEFL, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, USA or at http://www.toefl.org

In addition to the required application materials (personal essay, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.), you may wish to upload an electronic copy of a research paper or M.A. thesis. If you send paper materials, please send them to: Graduate Applications – College of Arts and Science, ATTN: Sociology, Vanderbilt University, 411 Kirkland Hall, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA.

Scholarships

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are offered funding, which includes a 12-month stipend, a full tuition waiver, and student health insurance*. If students continue to make good progress in the program, funding typically continues for five years. Outstanding applicants may also be eligible for departmental, College of Arts and Science, or University fellowships that supplement the standard stipend. The department nominates outstanding applicants for these awards; there is no separate application process. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Department offers a Fellowship that also provides a supplement to the standard stipend for selected students with health and health policy research emphases.

Most funded students work as graduate assistants to the department faculty members, though some may choose instead to apply for paid positions with American Sociological Review, which is edited in the department. To support themselves beyond the usual five years of graduate assistant funding, students may work as research assistants to faculty members in sociology or in other parts of the University, or teach at Vanderbilt or in other local colleges. Students also benefit from numerous internal funding opportunities, such as dissertation-year fellowships from the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities; summer research awards from the College of Arts and Science; small research grants from the Department of Sociology; and travel grants from the Graduate School Students are also encouraged to compete for national external graduate fellowships sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Jacob Javits Foundation, the American Association of University Women, and the American Sociological Association.

* University Tuition Scholarships are service-free awards that pay all or part of tuition costs. The following graduate awards are normally supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship, which usually includes student health insurance coverage: University Fellowships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, Traineeships, and Teacher Training Awards.

The Sociology program at Vanderbilt University offers students a comprehensive exploration of social behavior, social institutions, and the patterns of social change. Designed to provide both theoretical foundations and empirical research skills, the program prepares students for diverse careers in areas such as social research, public policy, community development, and further academic pursuits. Vanderbilt’s Department of Sociology emphasizes rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods, encouraging students to analyze complex social issues with a critical and analytical perspective. The curriculum includes courses covering topics such as social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, deviance, social networks, and social psychology. Students have opportunities for hands-on research through faculty-led projects and independent studies, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. The program supports interdisciplinary approaches, collaborating with departments like Political Science, Economics, and Public Policy, enabling students to develop a multifaceted understanding of societal dynamics. Vanderbilt’s vibrant academic community fosters collaboration and critical thinking, offering seminars, workshops, and conferences focused on current social issues. Graduates from the Sociology program have gone on to succeed in academia, research institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector businesses. The program also encourages students to engage in internships and study abroad experiences to broaden their understanding of global social issues. With the university’s emphasis on research excellence and community engagement, Vanderbilt Sociology prepares students not only to understand social structures but also to influence positive change in society.