A Sample Timeline

Below is the recommended timeline for completing the Sociology Ph.D. in 7 years. 

First Year

Fall

• Sociology 701 - Sociological Theory
• Sociology 711 - Graduate Statistics I
• Sociology 796P - Pro-Seminar I
• Elective

Spring

• Sociology 710 - Research Methods
• Sociology 712 - Graduate Statistics II
• Sociology 796P - Pro-Seminar II
• Elective

Second Year

Continue with required coursework.

Students should begin to work on their first comprehensive exam (paper or exam). The first and second comprehensive exam are ideally completed before the 4th year.

Comprehensive exam committees are made up of a minimum of three (3) sociology faculty. Outside members are optional. 

Third Year

Continue with required coursework.

Begin working on second comprehensive exam. Around this time, students also begin to submit their papers to publications and conferences. 

Fourth Year

Students should complete their required coursework and advance to candidacy. Students can only advance to candidacy when all required coursework and both comprehensive exams are completed.

Students should start working on their prospectus in their fourth year as well. 

Fifth Year

Students should ask faculty to be a part of their dissertation committee and should continue their research as they prepare for their prospectus. Students typically defend their prospects between the 4th - 6th year. 

Sixth Year

Students should continue working on their dissertation, researching, submitting their work to publications and conferences. Funding is not guaranteed after year 5.

Seventh Year (and beyond)

Students should continue to make sufficient progress toward completion and meet regularly with their advisors.

Once a student completes their dissertation, they will need to defend it. Defenses must be announced no later than 30 days prior to the defense date.