The Department of Sociology offers a doctoral degree in sociology with a focus on social justice intended for students planning to pursue careers in a variety of professional fields including higher education, government, and law. Students entering the program must take courses and write a dissertation related to one of our four core fields: criminology, critical race & ethnic studies, environmental sociology, or political economy & globalization. Students are also required to complete study in a second area including one of our four areas, social theory, or statistics. The program is focused on critical inquiry that examines social phenomenon through a lens of power. Upon successful completion of this program, students should have an understanding of important theoretical concepts and methodological approaches to the study of sociology. 

Concentrations (Required)

Criminology

Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

Environmental Sociology

Political Economy and Globalization

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Master’s or JD degree in sociology or a related field
• Overall undergraduate and graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Personal statement
• New students are typically admitted in fall semester only
• Applications must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Department of Sociology by January 15

Academic Standards

• Once admitted to the program, they must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00.
• To remain in the program, students must meet annual progress goals as set forth by the Department.  These goals include expectations for presenting work at professional meetings, pursuing publications, and teaching.

Criminology

The criminology specialization promotes critical understandings of the relationship between social forces and definitions of crime, criminal behavior, and the institutions and dynamics of social control. Students are taught to apply sociological theories to research on crime and criminal justice. Students are also provided tools for the preservation of peach and the safeguarding of due process and civil rights. This concentration prepares students for doctoral study or the study of law and for professional opportunities in civil rights. Please note that our criminology focus is not appropriate for those planning to pursue a degree in law enforcement. 

Credit Hours Required

A minimum of 51 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree

Required Courses

• SOCI 600  (24 hours)
• A minimum of 27 credit hours in graduate course work (9 courses), including
  • Three core courses: SOCI 621 ; SOCI 631 ; one from SOCI 633 , SOCI 636 , SOCI 638 , or SOCI 640  (9 credit hours).    
  • SOCI 505  (3 credit hours)
  • 6 credit hours from SOCI 652 , SOCI 654 , and SOCI 655  
  • 9 credit hours in second area (another concentration in Sociology, a foreign language, Social Theory Graduate Certificate , Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor  or an additional area proposed by the student in consultation with their advisor and approved by the graduate committee).

Additional Course Requirements

• At least 12 credit hours (4 courses) must be completed at the 600-level.
• If not completed at the MA level, SOCI 506 , SOCI 511 , SOCI 521 , and SOCI 531  (credit hours will not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required for the PhD)  

Non-Course Requirements

• Pass a comprehensive examination in one of the four areas of concentration (criminology, critical race and ethnic studies, environmental sociology, and political economy),
• Write a dissertation based on original research, and
• Pass a final oral examination on the dissertation.

Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Concentration

Courses address questions of power through the study of structural racism, social/national movements, and social (in)justice. Courses equip students with rigorous theoretical and analytical tools to enable an increased understanding of a multicultural and multinational work for the sake of furthering social justice, human rights, and egalitarian democracy. We encourage our students to imagine and create transformative change for racial equality. 

Credit Hours Required

A minimum of 51 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree

Required Courses

• SOCI 600  (24 hours)
• A minimum of 27 credit hours in graduate course work (9 courses), including
  • Three core courses: SOCI 621 ; SOCI 631 ; one from SOCI 633 , SOCI 636 , SOCI 638 , or SOCI 640  (9 credit hours). 
  • SOCI 509  (3 credit hours)
  • 6 credit hours from SOCI 552 , SOCI 616 , and SOCI 694  
  • 9 credit hours in second area (another concentration in Sociology, a foreign language, Social Theory Graduate Certificate , Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor  or an additional area proposed by the student in consultation with their advisor and approved by the graduate committee).

Additional Course Requirements

• At least 12 credit hours (4 courses) must be completed at the 600-level.
• If not completed at the MA level, SOCI 506 , SOCI 511 , SOCI 521 , and SOCI 531  (credit hours will not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required for the PhD)

Non-Course Requirements

• Pass a comprehensive examination in one of the four areas of concentration (criminology, critical race and ethnic studies, environmental sociology, and political economy),
• Write a dissertation based on original research, and
• Pass a final oral examination on the dissertation.

Environmental Sociology Concentration

Environmental sociology focuses on how social institutions and cultural practices influence behavior. Students will analyze the social causes and consequences of technological choices, policy decisions, and economic production processes affecting resource scarcity and environmental degradation. 

Credit Hours Required

A minimum of 51 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree

Required Courses

• SOCI 600  (24 hours)
• A minimum of 27 credit hours in graduate course work (9 courses), including
  • Three core courses: SOCI 621 ; SOCI 631 ; one from SOCI 633 , SOCI 636 , SOCI 638 , or SOCI 640  (9 credit hours).
  • SOCI 503  (3 credit hours)
  • SOCI 661  (3 credit hours)
  • SOCI 665  (3 credit hours)
  • 9 credit hours in second area (another concentration in Sociology, a foreign language, Social Theory Graduate Certificate , Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor  or an additional area proposed by the student in consultation with their advisor and approved by the graduate committee).

Additional Course Requirements

• At least 12 credit hours (4 courses) must be completed at the 600-level.
• If not completed at the MA level, SOCI 506 , SOCI 511 , SOCI 521 , and SOCI 531  (credit hours will not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required for the PhD)

Non-Course Requirements

• Pass a comprehensive examination in one of the four areas of concentration (criminology, critical race and ethnic studies, environmental sociology, and political economy),
• Write a dissertation based on original research, and
• Pass a final oral examination on the dissertation.

Political Economy and Globalization Concentration

Political economy generally explores the production, allocation, and consumption of goods and services, including the role that state places in these processes. The sociological approach to the study of political economy draws upon distinctive theoretical traditions, methods of analysis, and subject matter. Courses emphasize the social context that frames economic production, resource, distribution, and state action. Courses in the concentration also stresses that social movements have contested and shaped these processes. 

Credit Hours Required

A minimum of 51 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree

Required Courses

• SOCI 600  (24 hours)
• A minimum of 27 credit hours in graduate course work (9 courses), including
  • Three core courses: SOCI 621 ; SOCI 631 ; one from SOCI 633 , SOCI 636 , SOCI 638 , or SOCI 640  (9 credit hours).
  • SOCI 504  (3 credit hours)
  • 6 credit hours from SOCI 541 , SOCI 644  and SOCI 645  
  • 9 credit hours in second area (another concentration in Sociology, a foreign language, Social Theory Graduate Certificate , Intercollegiate Graduate Statistics and Data Science Minor  or an additional area proposed by the student in consultation with their advisor and approved by the graduate committee).

Additional Course Requirements

• At least 12 credit hours (4 courses) must be completed at the 600-level.
• If not completed at the MA level, SOCI 506 , SOCI 511 , SOCI 521 , and SOCI 531  (credit hours will not count toward the minimum number of credit hours required for the PhD)

Non-Course Requirements

• Pass a comprehensive examination in one of the four areas of concentration (criminology, critical race and ethnic studies, environmental sociology, and political economy),
• Write a dissertation based on original research, and
• Pass a final oral examination on the dissertation.