• The Sociology graduate studies website provides an overview of the PhD program in sociology: https://www.sociology.uci.edu/grad/index.php or https://www.sociology.uci.edu/grad/welcome.php
   
• The School of Social Sciences also offers a M.A. in Social Sciences with a concentration in Demographic and Social Analysis (DASA). See the DASA website for an overview of the program: https://www.demography.uci.edu/.
   
• The Department has strengths in a number of subareas in the discipline of Sociology, which are described on our Research Clusters webpage: https://www.sociology.uci.edu/research/
   
• You can browse faculty profiles to gain information on the research interests of particular faculty members on the Sociology Department website: Core Faculty.
   
• Our current grad students and their interests are described on the Sociology Graduate Student Association website: https://sites.uci.edu/sgsa/.
   

Most graduates obtain teaching and research positions at universities, colleges, government agencies, and nonprofit and for profit organizations. The following provides information on some of the positions held by past students:  Placement

We receive approximately 200 applications each year. In recent years, our incoming cohort size has been between 12 to 15 students.

The admissions committee considers a variety of factors in deciding whom to admit, including but not limited to the applicant’s undergraduate GPA, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, Statement of Purpose, Personal History Statement, fit with the department’s faculty and areas of strength, and possible contribution to UCI's commitment to diversity. If you are weak in one area, it may well be balanced by your strength in other areas.

We provide six years of guaranteed funding to all of our graduate students conditional on satisfactory progress in the program. Funding packages may include a mix of teaching assistantships and some fellowship funding. See the following page for information on financing your graduate education: https://www.gradstudies.socsci.uci.edu/funding/funding_within_uci.php or https://www.ofas.uci.edu/content/GraduateEntering.aspx

Yes. In consultation with the Directors of Graduate Study and relevant faculty, you may be able to waive some required courses.

No. You are not required to have a master’s degree to apply to our program.

If you have browsed the websites described above and have more specific questions about the program and its requirements, write to socnet@uci.edu.

If you have a question about a particular faculty member’s research, teaching, or work with graduate students, feel free to contact that person directly.

If you would like to find out more about what it is like to be a graduate student in the program, contact the Sociology Graduate Student Association https://sites.uci.edu/sgsa/ and they can put you in touch with the current graduate students who will be most helpful to you.

If you have questions about the School of Social Sciences or questions about the graduate program in social sciences generally, including questions about housing, financial aid, teaching, and so on, go to https://www.gradstudies.socsci.uci.edu/. Also, you can contact the social science graduate counselor, Jennifer Gerson at (949) 824-4074 or jennifer.gerson@uci.edu.

Go to the following website to complete the online application: Application Link

Unfortunately, no – only online applications are accepted.

The deadline for graduate applications is December 1st. There is only one application period per year – applications are not accepted for Winter or Spring quarters.

• A valid e-mail address that you will maintain at least 8 months after you apply. If you are admitted, you will be notified via this e-mail address.
   
• A non-refundable application fee of $120 for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents and $140 for all other applicants. Refer to https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/application-fee-fee-waivers/
   
• Standardized test scores such as the GRE, TOEFL. GRE scores must have been taken within the past five years. For more information on these tests, refer to https://apply.grad.uci.edu/portal/admin_gre-test or https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/applying-to-uci/#ELP
   
• Statement of Purpose.
   
• Personal History Statement.
   
• Three letters of recommendation. Letters must be submitted online through the application portal that you create. We are unable to accept paper or electronic letters (via mail or email). Review the following to learn more about this process: https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/applying-to-uci/#ELP
   
• A transcript from each college or university attended. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded by the applicant into the application portal created. We are unable to accept paper or electronic transcripts (via mail or email). We do not require official transcripts.
   
• One (1) writing sample. The applicant should upload the sample during the application process into the application portal created. The document should be in pdf format.
   

Additional information applying to graduate school at UCI can be found at https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/applying-to-uci/

The statement of purpose provides an opportunity for you to describe your academic background, interests, and goals. We recommend that candidates limit themselves to 750-1250 words.

When reviewing applications in our department, we look for information on what kinds of sociological topics and approaches interest you, why you want to be a sociologist, and why you are applying to our department in particular. You may want to indicate whether there are particular faculty members, clusters of research, or even specific research problems that are of special interest to you.

As sociologists, we understand that socialization processes and life course events influence our worldviews and sociological imagination. The personal history statement provides an opportunity for you to describe the background and life experiences that you believe shaped your current research interests and academic goals. We recommend that applicants limit themselves to 400-800 words.

GRE scores are required of all applicants. GRE scores remain valid for 5 years following the test date. Visit https://apply.grad.uci.edu/portal/admin_gre-test for more information on this test.

We cannot accept GMAT or MCAT scores in place of the GRE.

There is no minimum required GRE score for admission into the program. The results of this test represent only one of many factors reviewed in the admissions process.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
All graduate students, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Health Education Database, are required to demonstrate English proficiency before they admitted to a UCI graduate program. For Teaching Assistant and Associate positions, 1) only an undergraduate degree can be used for the aforementioned exception; 2) the degree must be earned within five years prior. Please read the full policy on English proficiency for graduate admissions and how to search for your institution in the database on the UCI Graduate Division website.

Speaking English Proficiency Requirement for Financial Support in the Form of Teaching Assistantship
International Students who wish to be considered for appointment as a Teaching Assistant (TA) must have a score of at least 26 in the speaking component of TOEFL iBT or a score of 8 or higher on the speaking module of the IELTS exam. This is a university requirement, the department cannot make exceptions for scores below 26 or 8, respectively.

We may conduct online or telephone interviews with a shortlist of applicants selected by the department's admissions committee. Subsequently, the top candidates will be invited to our Open House. The Open House is a valuable opportunity to meet faculty, students, and prospective students, learn about the program, and visit the area in an informal and fun atmosphere. Normally, the Open House is scheduled in early or mid-March.

• UCI Office of Graduate Studies: https://grad.uci.edu/admissions/index.php
   
• The Social Sciences Graduate Office: https://www.gradstudies.socsci.uci.edu
   

We make every attempt to notify applicants about admission and financial support in late February.

April 15th.

You should consider a number of things: which program best matches your interests; how closely faculty work with students; what current students say about their courses, research opportunities, and teaching responsibilities; a department's national ranking; how graduates have fared on the job market; whether the department’s atmosphere promotes collegiality, intellectual exchange, and diversity. To get a sense of the UCI program, accepted students will be encouraged to attend our Open House in March. We will provide housing and meals and will help cover the costs of your transportation to UCI. Past and current students say that the Open House was essential in giving them a sense of the advantages that UCI has to offer.