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Sociology

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Our sociology graduate degree programs are devoted to the training of research scholars and educators in the discipline. We provide advanced training in sociological theory, statistics and research methods in the areas of gender and sexuality, immigration and globalization, medical sociology, race and ethnicity, and urban sociology. Take a look at our academic offerings, admissions process and FAQ for answers to any questions you have about sociology graduate degrees at Temple University.

Academic Offerings

The Department of Sociology offers multiple graduate programs. The Master of Arts in Sociology provides advanced training in sociological theory, statistics and research methods. Students prepare for research careers, social services careers, and PhD programs.

The PhD in Sociology concentrates on a variety of subfields of sociology to prepare students for research and teaching in academic settings and for advanced work in applied research settings. The program allows students some flexibility in developing additional specialty areas. The main areas of doctoral research are race & ethnicity, gender & sexuality, urban sociology, medical sociology, globalization, and immigration.

Dual Degree Offerings

Urban Bioethics MA and Sociology MA Dual Degree Program

The Urban Bioethics MA and Sociology MA Dual Degree Program provides advanced training in urban bioethics, community engagement, sociological theory, statistics and research methods. Students prepare for research careers, social services careers, public health careers, and PhD programs.

Urban Bioethics MA and Sociology PhD Dual Degree Program

The Urban Bioethics MA and Sociology PhD Dual Degree Program concentrates on public health, and medical sociology to prepare students for research and teaching in academic settings and for advanced work in applied research settings.

Admissions Process

Please follow the links above to learn more about the Sociology graduate program requirements, application checklist, dates and deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Graduate Students

Our highly selected PhD students are an intricate part of the learning and teaching experience here in the Department of Sociology. Our graduate students conduct research, teach courses, and work closely with various faculty members and students throughout the department. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Sociology Grad FAQs

Question

Answer

I don’t have an MA yet, but I eventually want a PhD. Which program do I apply to?

Apply directly to the PhD program. You will obtain your MA within that program, on your path to the PhD. You can only be considered for funding if you apply to the PhD program.

My scores or GPA may not be good enough for the PhD program. Should I apply to the MA program instead?

No. The MA program is not a stepping stone into the PhD program. It is a professional degree and the admissions standards are the same.

I have been out of school for several years and no longer have contact with my professors. How do I obtain reference letters?

You may want to use the web to try to find one or more of those professors to see if they remember you or have records of your performance. In addition, you can ask supervisors and other professional contacts to write letters on your behalf.

I have taken graduate courses already, at other institutions. Can I transfer those credits in?

You can petition for transfer after your enrollment begins. It is not part of the admissions process. We can only consider graduate courses in sociology that directly correspond to courses that we offer. As many as 12 credits can transfer in, subject to approval.

My GRE scores are old. Can I still use them?

Your scores must be from the past five years, using the application deadline as the marker. If your scores will be more than five years old as of the application deadline, you need to re-take the GREs.

What is the minimum GRE score for admission?

We evaluate GRE scores on a competitive basis, and we look at the whole application, so there is no actual minimum. As a guide, our average GRE score (focusing on the sum of the verbal and quantitative scores) is 310, and we rarely admit students with scores below 300.

How do I take the GRE during the COVID-19 pandemic?

ETS is allowing individuals to take the GRE test at home on their computer. If you anticipate or encounter difficulty with access to taking the GRE, please contact James Bachmeier, Director of Graduate Studies, at james.bachmeier@temple.edu.

Should I visit the department? Will that help my application?

Because many appicants do not have the opportunity to visit, we do not schedule visits for any applicants prior to the admissions process. Applicants offered admission to the PhD program will be invited for a visit to assist with their decision. Applicants offered admission to the MA program are welcome to request a chance to visit the department.

Should I contact individual faculty to see if they are taking new students?

No, our admissions process is run at the department level, not by individual faculty. You do not come into the program with a specific advisor and faculty do not have a set number of students they work with. Once admitted, you will have opportunities to build relationships and find an advisor.

Can I take courses in the program before I apply?

Yes. You can take up to 3 courses prior to being admitted to the program. You will need to identify the course you wish to take and first reach out to the professor by email for permission. Forward that to the graduate director for additional permission. Then contact Continuing Studies to schedule an enrollment appointment. They will step your through the registration process.

I applied. When will I hear?

MA Applicants: Applications are reviewed in March and decisions are made by April 1.

PhD Applicants: Applications are reviewed in January and early decisions are made in February.

Initially, we will make admissions offers only to a small handful of students based on the number of funded positions we have. We will also reject applicants who are not admissible. Those decisions can be seen online. Students who do not receive an offer, but are not rejected, are on a waitlist for funded positions and will be contacted if and when a position is available. It can sometimes take until mid-April before we finalize the PhD cohort. Waitlisted students will be offered unfunded enrollment in the MA program.

Department Contacts

Chair
Matt Wray
751 Gladfelter Hall

Director of Graduate Studies
James Bachmeier
743 Gladfelter Hall 

Senior Manager, Administration
Joseph DelMastro
509 Gladfelter Hall
(215) 204-1376

Coordinator
Catherine Staples
713 Gladfelter Hall
(215) 204-1494