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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

In recent years, the median time to degree completion for Ph.D. students is 7 years.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: January 15 for departmental funding consideration
  • Spring: Does Not Admit
  • Summer: Does Not Admit

Sociology, Joint M.A./Ph.D.

Sociology

[email protected]
404-413-6546

The Joint Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree program in sociology is designed for students who are entering graduate studies with a B.A. degree and for students with graduate degrees in non-social science fields.

The program provides students with both a broad exposure to the discipline of sociology as well as in-depth study in special areas of expertise.

The broad knowledge of sociology comes through coursework in a variety of substantive areas, as well as through training in research methodology, statistics and theory. Most of the faculty’s interest and expertise lie in six specialty areas:

  • Gender
  • Health
  • Life Course
  • Race and Ethnic Relations
  • Sexualities
  • Urban Studies

The Sociology Department is located in the heart of Atlanta, within walking distance of the State Capitol and City Hall, and close to other major political, economic and cultural centers. This connection with a large, vibrant urban community provides an ideal learning environment for students.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Highlights

The Department of Sociology is located in the heart of Atlanta, within walking distance of the State Capitol and City Hall, and is close to other major political, economic and cultural centers. This connection with a large, vibrant urban community provides an ideal learning environment for students.

The Department and individual faculty members have consulted and engaged in research projects with many different agencies, including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, American Educational Research Association, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Narcotics Treatment Center, Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Pew Charitable Trust and numerous other government agencies, as well as private concerns.

Program Details

• Statement of Purpose
• Writing Sample
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts (one from each institution attended)
• GRE NOT required
• Official TOEFL/IELTS Scores (international applicants only)*

For the Statement of Purpose, provide a concise statement of your research interests and how Georgia State University's Department of Sociology will help you to meet your educational and career goals. This statement should speak to how your research interests align with those of specific faculty member in the Department. This statement may also note any disadvantages or significant challenges you have faced in your path toward higher education. Your statement should be approximately 750 words.

For the Writing Sample, submit a of written scholarly work (such as a term/research paper, or scholarly publication) that provides a good indication of your analytical and writing skills.

Letters of Recommendation should be provided from former or current professors or from supervisors who have observed you in a professional capacity such as jobs, internships and/or volunteer positions.

To be considered for an assistantship, you must apply by January 15.

Applicants to the joint M.A./Ph.D. program should select Sociology; Doctor of Philosophy as their program of study in the application portal.

*Institutional code 5251 should be used for reporting TOEFL scores

Minimum of ninety semester credit hours (52 semester hours of course work and at least 38 semester hours of non-course work) beyond the Baccalaureate degree, consisting of a Master’s Core (1), Master’s Electives (2), Other Master’s Requirements (3), Doctoral Core (4), Doctoral Specialty Core (5), Doctoral Electives (6) and Other Doctoral Requirements (7).

For details, visit the course catalog.

The department of Sociology offers a limited number of graduate research assistantships for candidates who apply before the January 15 deadline. Students serve as graduate research assistantships in exchange for a yearly stipend and a tuition waiver.

We do not offer assistantships to students who apply after the January 15 deadline.

The goals of the Department are to provide:

  • A general intellectual foundation that supports the student’s analytic understanding of social life
  • A sound methodological background that prepares the student for social research
  • A rich and specialized body of knowledge that equips the student for the practice of sociology in both the public and private sectors

Description

Careers

Earning a Doctorate of Sociology prepares students for top tier sociology or human services positions and the widest field of career choices.

Contacts

Director of Graduate Studies
Katie Acosta
Associate Professor, Sociology
[email protected]

Chantel DeLions
Department Specialist
[email protected]

College of Arts & Sciences Lockup25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.