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2016-2017 University Catalog
Sociology, PhD
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Banner Code: LA-PHD-SOCI
Web: soan.gmu.edu
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Sociology and Anthropology
The doctoral degree in sociology provides rigorous training in public and applied social research, including skills in research design, data analysis, and substantive areas that are pertinent to various sectors in the Washington, D.C. area. Graduates have the theoretical, analytical, and professional skills that prepare them for academic positions in teaching or research. They are also well-qualified for nonacademic positions in the many settings that rely on the expertise of sociologists including human service agencies, marketing research firms, educational systems, nonprofit foundations, and law enforcement agencies.
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Academic Policies .
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Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admissions section of this catalog. For information specific to the PhD in sociology, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site. Reduction of Credit
Students who enter the program with a master’s degree may be allowed a reduction of credit up to 30 credits subject to the approval of the graduate director and the dean. Degree Requirements
Students pursuing this degree must complete a minimum of 72 graduate credits. The requirements include foundation courses in theory and methods, course work in a specialization, and electives. Following completion of all required course work and passing a candidacy exam, students are advanced to candidacy by the dean and complete a dissertation, an original and independent research project. Nine foundation courses (27 credits)
One required foundation course (3 credits)
Two courses of theory (6 credits)
One course in writing (3 credits)
Two required courses of methodology and analysis (6 credits)
One elective course of methodology and analysis (3 credits) chosen from:
SOCI 633 - Special Topics in Sociology Credits: 3, when topic is Critical Theory or Feminist Theory, may substitute for this requirement or for one course under the statistics/methods requirement.
Two courses of statistics/methods (6 credits) chosen from:
SOCI 633 - Special Topics in Sociology Credits: 3, when topic is Critical Theory or Feminist Theory, may substitute for one course under this requirement or for the elective methodology and analysis course.
Two proseminars (6 credits)
Three courses (9 credits) in a specialization
Students specialize in either institutions and inequalities or sociology of globalization. Depending on the topic, special topics courses SOCI 633 and SOCI 833 (or others) may be applied to the specialization with prior written approval of the director. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be from outside sociology, chosen in consultation with (and with approval of) the student’s advisor or the graduate director. Institutions and inequalities specialization
Students complete 3 courses (9 credits) toward the degree, chosen from: Sociology of Globalization specialization
Students in this specialization must demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language at an advanced level of reading and comprehension. Students complete 3 courses (9 credits) toward the degree, chosen from: Six elective courses (18 credits)
Electives may include up to two courses (6 credits) from outside sociology, chosen in consultation with and approval of the graduate director. Research Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods prior to taking the qualifying exams for candidacy. Proficiency is determined by satisfactory course work or an exam. Advancement to Candidacy
To advance to candidacy, students must complete all course work required on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully pass one written qualifying examination. The comprehensive exam tests students’ mastery of the foundations of sociological inquiry, linking research methods and sociological theory to public concerns, as well as material in the student’s area of specialization. It is administered by a faculty committee appointed by the graduate program director. Additionally, students must have an approved dissertation committee. Evidence of completed requirements must be on file in the Dean’s Office before a student can advance to candidacy.
Dissertation (12 credits)
Once enrolled in 999, students must maintain continuous registration each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Libraries. Once enrolled in 999, students must follow the university’s continuous registration policy as specified in the Academic Policies section of the catalog. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of 999.
Students complete a minimum of 3 credits of 998 and 3 credits of 999. They may apply a maximum of 12 dissertation credits (998 and 999 combined) to the degree. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of 999. Because students cannot register for credits of 999 until they have advanced to PhD candidacy, they may choose (but are not required) to register for additional credits of 998.
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