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Frequently Asked Questions for Ph.D. in Sociology
Learning about the Sociology Ph.D. Program
The Application Process
Living in Portland
Learning about the Sociology Ph.D. Program
- The name of your Ph.D. program is called “Health and Social Inequality," what does this mean?
- Over the past decade the Sociology department at PSU has developed strengths in areas of instruction and research that reflect issues of immediate relevance to the urban and regional environment of Portland and the nation as a whole. The Ph.D. program will address some of the most pressing public concerns of social inequality: health, social and environmental sustainability, disparities born out of racial segregation, educational achievement, and immigrant assimilation.|Back to Top
- Can I apply for the Ph.D. program if I have a Master’s degree in another discipline?
- Yes. Students entering with a Master’s degree in another discipline (or with a Master’s in Sociology from another institution) will be required to have completed coursework equivalent to what is required of PSU Sociology Master’s students as a condition for admission to our Ph.D. program. However, they will not be required to write a Master’s thesis. |Back to Top
- Can I apply for the Ph.D. program if I do not have a Master’s degree?
- If you do not have a Master’s degree in any discipline, then you should apply for our Master’s program. Upon completing your Master’s degree, you can then apply for our Ph.D. program. (That is, we have a separate admissions process for our Master’s and Ph.D. program.)|Back to Top
- Can I be a part-time student in the Ph.D. program?
- Yes. We anticipate that some of our Ph.D. students will be full-time professionals who can only go to school part time. Most of our courses are in the afternoons, from 2-5 p.m., one day a week. You must finish the program within seven years.|Back to Top
- What are my chances of getting funding?
- Some students will already have full-time or part-time jobs outside the university and will, therefore, not be seeking university funding. Others will be seeking university funding (which involves tuition reimbursement and a monthly stipend). For these students, we will make every effort to find funding, either by providing them with departmental funding (as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or lecturer) or university funding outside the Sociology Department.|Back to Top
- Can students enter the Ph.D. program at any time during the year?
- No. Students are admitted only for the fall term. To begin our Ph.D. program in Fall 2008, you must submit your application by January 15, 2008.|Back to Top
- How many students are admitted to the Ph.D. program?
- We expect to admit five to eight students per year.|Back to Top
- How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in your program?
- The program is designed to take three to five years to complete, dependent upon the students’ previous graduate-level course work, employment status, ability to go full or part time, and whether they enter with a Master’s degree in Sociology.|Back to Top
- Is it possible to just obtain a Master’s degree in sociology?
- Yes. It is possible to obtain a Master’s degree in sociology without continuing on to the Ph.D. program.|Back to Top
- What kind of job can I get with a Ph.D. in Sociology from PSU?
- Through focus groups that we have conducted, it is clear that regional organizations have expressed the need for Ph.D.-level researchers with a robust knowledge of social theory, research methods and research design skills.|Back to Top
- How many courses do Ph.D. students take? Who offers them?
- Ph.D. students will be expected to complete 106 credit hours (55 credit hours for the M.A./M.S., and 51 credit hours of doctoral work). The doctoral-level courses will be taught by professors in the Sociology department, as well as by other departments at PSU and in other institutions in the local area such as OHSU.|Back to Top
- Who will advise me as a Ph.D. student?
- You will be assigned a temporary academic adviser when you begin the program with the understanding that this person may change depending on the development of your research strengths and interests. During your first year it is important for you to get to know the faculty so that when it is time to choose your adviser and dissertation committee you will know who is the best match for your research interests, methods, and personality.|Back to Top
- How much flexibility exists in the Ph.D. program?
- The Ph.D. program is designed to allow for flexibility while maintaining academic rigor and scholarship. We have two core classes that all Ph.D. students must take (Soc 684 Social Inequality Pro-Seminar and Soc 695 Advanced Research Methods). Currently our Ph.D. program focuses on the sociology of health and social inequality. Within these foci, and with the guidance of their adviser, students are expected to tailor their class choices to meet personal goals. |Back to Top
- Are Ph.D. students required to teach?
- Ph.D. students are not required to teach, but they may have the opportunity to do so. We will look at each student’s strengths and goals when deciding on appropriate activities to facilitate their education.|Back to Top
- What is the process for Advancement to Candidacy once in the program?
- All students will be required to complete a set of comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams assess students’ command of methods and research literature in the field of sociology including social inequality. All relevant core courses must be successfully completed before any comprehensive exams may be taken. Specifically, Soc 684 (Social Inequality) and Soc 695 (Advanced Research Methods) must be taken before the comprehensive exams.
In addition to successfully completing core courses and comprehensive exams, students must successfully prepare, present and defend a written proposal for their dissertation research. |Back to Top
- Who can I contact to find out more about the program?
- Please look carefully at all of the information on our web site, including the application packet, then, if you still have questions, contact the Graduate Director.|Back to Top
The Application Process
- When is application deadline?
- January 15, 2008 is the application deadline for Fall 2008.|Back to Top
- What is the application deadline to be considered for departmental funding?
- We make departmental funding decisions during the application process, so the date remains January 15. There are other scholarships and funding opportunities available through the university which have different application dates. Check out https://www.gsr.pdx.edu for more information, and information other sources of funding.|Back to Top
- Do you require GRE scores?
- Yes, GRE scores are required. However, please note that we evaluate students based on five criteria: GRE, G.P.A., writing sample, letters of recommendation, and fit between student’s academic interests and faculty’s.|Back to Top
- What GRE test scores and G.P.A. do I need to have in order to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
- High GRE test scores and G.P.A.s certainly enhance the likelihood of acceptance, but we consider many variables when making acceptance decisions. Because of this, we can not give a minimum GRE score or G.P.A. requirement.|Back to Top
- As an international applicant, what test or tests should I take?
- International applicants need to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application. Please see http://www.pdx.edu/admissions/intl_graduate.html for PSU requirements for international students.|Back to Top
- Will I need to interview with the Admissions Committee?
- The Admissions Committee does not interview candidates. We believe that the best and most fair procedure is to make decisions based solely on the submitted application materials.|Back to Top
- How and when does the department make admissions decisions?
- A three-member committee reviews all complete applications, looking for candidates that show great promise as sociologists. Statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, GRE scores and GPA are all considered.
Decisions are made by the end of March. Letters are sent out to all applicants on their acceptance status. |Back to Top
- What does the admissions committee look for in a Ph.D. candidate?
- We are looking for candidates who have demonstrated academic aptitude and who we believe have a high potential to contribute significantly to the field of sociology. We are looking for candidates that not only have strong academic backgrounds, but who also have a passion for sociology.|Back to Top
- How can I find out about the status of my application?
- We send out letters as soon as we make admission decisions. We do not give admissions decisions over the phone, by fax, or by e-mail. We will contact you if more information is needed. If you have not heard from us by the end of March, you may contact the Graduate Director.|Back to Top
- When do you need to know whether or not I will attend?
- We would like to hear from you by April 15. If you have chosen another school before that date, we would appreciate it if you would let us know as soon as you make your decision.
- What if I am admitted and then want to delay entering the program?
- Decisions on deferrals are made on a case-by-case basis. We can not guarantee that your place in the program can be held.|Back to Top
Living in Portland
- What is the availability of housing around PSU?
- Portland is known for its many funky, diverse neighborhoods that are close to downtown and served well by mass transit. If you want to live on campus, you can look at the various choices with PSU Housing, an organization which runs the apartments, studios, and dorms on campus: Some may have long waiting lists. Otherwise, there are the usual sources such as Portland's Craigslist, and the Oregonian Newspaper.|Back to Top
- How do I qualify for in-state tuition?
- Students with residency status are assessed in-state instructional fees, which are subsidized by funds from the State of Oregon's Higher Education budget. Non-resident students are assessed a higher level of instructional fees that more closely approximates the actual cost of instruction. In order to determine your residency status please refer to the Residency Requirements at the Admissions office website.|Back to Top
- Where is PSU located in Portland?
- PSU is located at the south end of downtown, making it a true urban university integrated into the city. PSU is conveniently located to buses, the street car, and the MAX train. We are also bike friendly, many of our faculty and students get their exercise by riding to campus.
The South Park Blocks, twelve city blocks of green oasis, run through PSU. The Park Blocks do more than just provide a peaceful break from city life, they offer a place for students to socialize and study, a weekly farmers’ market (April to mid December), and various art exhibits and events. It also provides a pleasant walk through town to campus. |Back to Top
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