The Stanford Sociology Doctoral Program: Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. curriculum and degree requirements are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to become proficient scholars and teachers.

Proseminar:

Enrollment in SOC 305 in Autumn Quarter of the first year.

Three quarters of Research Experience (RA):

Work as either a paid research assistant (RA) or unpaid work as a research apprentice fulfill this requirement. This research requirement must be completed by the end of the fourth year of residency.
Teaching Assistants/Research Assistants

Three quarters of teaching apprenticeship (TA):

Work as either a teaching assistant (TA) under the supervision of a faculty member or as a teaching fellow (TF) fulfills this requirement. Students are required to take SOC 300. Workshop: Teaching Development, in Spring Quarter of the first year. Students for whom English is a second language are expected to acquire sufficient facility in English to be an effective teacher and are must pass an English proficiency test prior to assignment as a TA or TF.
Teaching Assistants/Research Assistants

Sociological Theory coursework:

Students must take one course in classical sociological theory (SOC 370A or B, or equivalent); and one course on the development of theory and research design (SOC 372 or equivalent). It is strongly recommended that students complete both SOC 370A and B, although only one of these courses is formally required.

Methods Sequence:

Students must complete a series of research methods courses.  This training is essential for doctoral students to effectively conduct research.  See detailed Method Requirements

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Survey Courses:

Students must complete four broad survey courses to demonstrate command of a range of sociological literatures. This requirement is normally completed by the end of the second year of residency and must be met by the end of the third year of residency.
Survey Courses

Second Year Paper:

In the second year of study, students write a paper on a topic of their choosing. Any subject of sociological relevance is acceptable as a topic and the paper may address theoretical, empirical, or methodological issues. The second year paper is a requirement of all students and is submitted no later than May 15 of the second year in residency. Reviewed by faculty readers, this milestone is key to successful advancement to candidacy. For many students, the second year paper is the foundation for their first sole authored publication. See detailed information about the Second Year Paper

Workshops:

For second-year and more advanced students, the Department requires enrollment in at least one workshop each quarter (effective for the 2007-08 entering cohort), although we encourage students to develop a sustained commitment to at least two workshops. Workshop will be offered for 1-5 units, thus allowing TGR students as well as non-TGR students to enroll. Because of the 10-unit limit for non-TGR students, students may request that they be allowed to attend a workshop without formally enrolling. In such instances, the requirement will be considered met.  See detailed information regarding PhD Workshops

Presentation of Research:

Students are required to present at least two papers at a major professional meeting in their first five years of graduate study.

Annual Report

All graduate students after the 1st year will be required to submit an annual report on June 1 of each year. The annual report will include an updated CV which notes teaching (TA or other), publishing (in press, published, or under review), papers/works in progress, fellowship and grant awards and applications, service and other academic accomplishments of the past year. Students who have not yet defended their prospectus will be required to include a planned timing of the dissertation defense. PhD Annual Report Form 2007-2008

Oral Defense of Dissertation Proposal:

Students must prepare a dissertation prospectus and pass the University oral examination. This requirement must be completed by December 1 of the fourth year of residency.
Dissertation Proposal Defense

Doctoral Dissertation:

At the choice of the student, and in consultation with the adviser, the dissertation requirement may be met either by submitting the standard book-style document or by submitting three independent papers. The latter papers may address the same topic, but should be written as stand-alone, single-authored papers in standard journal format.
Dissertation

More Detailed information regarding program requirements [Need document to link to]

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