The Stanford Sociology Doctoral Program: PhD Timeline
How long will it take to get a PhD in Sociology at Stanford?
It all depends on the student. There is a lot of variation - some students complete the program in five years, some in as many as seven or eight years. On average, students complete the program at the end of their sixth year in residence.
Some of the factors that may extend the length of your program of study include:
- Data collection/analysis
- Off-site research
- Participation in a joint degree program (like the JD/PhD or PhD/MPP*)
- Marriage/childbirth or other family obligations
- Leave of Absence (typically for extensive data collection)
- Change in sociological interest and/or dissertation focus
Suggested Timeline
Note: There is not a typical or recommended schedule or timeline for students pursuing their PhD in Sociology. However, if a student were to strive to complete their degree in five to six years, a recommended “schedule” would be:
First Year
- Required Coursework (including pro-seminar, workshops, methods courses – 381, 382, 383, theory – 370, several survey courses, and the TA training course). Students are enrolled full time (11-18 units) in each of the academic quarters.
- Summer RA and enrollment in SOC 384: New Models and Methods in the Social Sciences.
Second Year
- Remaining Required Coursework (theory – 372, methods – 385a and 385b, survey course, workshops, and one methods elective). Students may enroll in 8-10 units per quarter when completing an assistantship.
- TAs and RAs
- 2nd year paper (draft due April 1st, final due May 15th)
- Begin thinking about dissertation
Third Year
- Finish required coursework. Students must enroll or attend at least one workshop each quarter, reqardless of whether or not all other coursework has been completed.
- TAs and RAs
- Begin dissertation proposal - possibly defend dissertation proposal
Fourth Year
- Defend dissertation prospectus no later than December 15th
- Finish RA requirements
- Finish TA requirements
- Begin writing dissertation
- Apply for dissertation fellowships
Fifth Year
- Complete RAs and TAs for funding
- Apply for dissertation fellowships and external aid for Year 6
- Write dissertation - possibly finish dissertation and graduate
Year 6
- See “Year 5” above
Students participating in a joint degree program can expect to take an extra one or two years to complete the program.
If you have any questions that cannot be answered on our website or in the Stanford Bulletin, please contact the student services office.