Ph.D. Program

Sociology graduate student Jennifer Esala is in the midst of researching and writing her dissertation on anxiety disorders—on that and actually much more. She hopes her research will contribute to our understanding of how those with the disorder, and women especially, experience it in their lives from diagnosis to treatment choice to the challenges of everyday life. Learn more.

Students in the doctoral program in sociology select an area of specialization for intensive study. The five specialty areas available in our program are:

Crime and Conflict
Sociology of the Family
Social Stratification
Health and Illness
Community and Environment

Students may also pursue specialties within or across the primary areas of specialization, or propose self-designed areas to the Graduate Committee for consideration.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

A minimum of three years in residence, and completion of the following:

1. At least 16 graduate courses in Sociology, other than thesis or dissertation research, including:

 ° Proseminar in Sociology (900; 2-credit course)
 ° Sociological Theory I and II (911 and 912)
 ° Sociological Methods I-IV (901, 902, 903, 904)
 ° four courses in area of specialization
 ° five elective courses, two of which may be taken outside the department with the approval of the student's guidance committee

2) Written Ph.D. examination in the area of sociological specialization and in theory and methodology. Theory and methods examinations are to be taken in the first and second semesters after admission to the Ph.D. program. Students who enter the program with an M.A. must take theory and methods no later than their third and fourth semesters. Exams in the student's area of specialization should be completed by the end of the second year in the Ph.D. program for students with UNH sociology M.A.s, and by the third otherwise.

3) Write and defend an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

See the Department Handbook for Graduate Students for in-depth information on the Ph.D. program.