Overview of the Graduate Program in Sociology
Department Head: William Finlay
Graduate Coordinator: Jody-Clay Warner
Degree Program Assistant: Kathy Lou
The Graduate Program in Sociology at the University
of Georgia is directed primarily toward students
seeking the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Although
we offer a Master of Arts Degree, we do not have
separate M. A. and Ph.D. curricula. All students
entering the program will receive strong basic training
in research methods and analytic techniques, as well
as a grounding in several major substantive areas.
More concentrated advanced study may then be pursued
within one or more broadly defined specialty areas.
The Department of Sociology currently offers advanced
training in five
areas of specialization.
A favorable faculty-to-student ratio permits an emphasis on individualized instruction and student-faculty collaboration in research activities. Students are strongly encouraged to engage in research and scholarship and to share the results of their efforts with other social scientists through presentations at professional meetings and by publishing their work.
The Doctoral program is based on a four-year curriculum. Course work during the first year of study concentrates on the fundamentals of sociology, including the required research design and theory courses, two required courses in statistical analysis of sociological data, the proseminar, and elective courses in major substantive areas. The elective courses will normally include one or more of the "foundations" courses which are intended to provide introductions to the theoretical and research literature for the Department's specialty areas. During the second year, most students will complete the required course work for the Pre-Ph.D./Master of Arts Program and begin to take advanced seminars in one or more of the specialty areas. All students who intend to enter the doctoral program must complete the Proseminar in Sociology during the first year and a research practicum during the second year, culminating in a written research paper. Students who wish to receive the Master of Arts degree may also use the research practicum or a revision of the paper to satisfy the thesis requirement.
Students continuing work toward the Doctoral Program of Study will use the third year to begin a more advanced program of study. During this phase, the student will focus more intensively on particular substantive problems and research issues. Advanced study involves additional course work, independent reading, and research directed toward the Doctoral comprehensive examinations. These examinations are a Graduate School requirement. They include a written component and an oral examination that may consist in part of a defense of the student's written prospectus for the dissertation. Following successful completion of these examinations, the student will be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. During the fourth year, the student's attention will begin to focus more narrowly on the dissertation topic.
