Applicants accepted into the Sociology graduate program are admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. The master's degree is awarded to students in the course of working toward the Ph.D. degree. Continuation in the Ph.D. program is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all M.A. degree requirements. 

The department provides students with facilities for study, work and social interaction. Limited office space is available as are individual mailboxes and a computer lab, in addition to extensive campus facilities. An average of 50 to 70 students enroll in the Sociology graduate program, which has 28 faculty members and affiliates. Theoretical, methodological, and substantive pluralism characterize faculty research interests and departmental course offerings. 

Admission Details and Deadlines

  • December 15, 2026 - Applications for admission into our Ph.D. programs must be submitted online.
  • December 15, 2026 - Prospective student fellowship deadline. Students must apply by this deadline to be considered for potential fellowships.

 

New students are accepted for the fall quarter only. Application and General Admission FAQs are available on the UC Davis Graduate Studies website.

Apply now

Application Requirements

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Sociology, is required, but a master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the Ph.D. program.

College Transcripts

Official transcripts of all college work are required. UC Davis requires academic records from each college-level institution you have attended. All applicants must upload PDF versions of their transcripts or academic records directly to the application system. Paper transcripts are not acceptable.

For further transcript questions, see the Transcript FAQ on the Graduate Studies website.

Statement of Purpose

What should your Statement of Purpose accomplish? The statement of purpose is your opportunity to tell us, the admissions committee, about your intellectual biography and interests. Be succinct. You only have 4,000 characters for this statement.

After reading your essay, we should have a clear picture of the following:

  1. Undergraduate and previous graduate career experiences: Research you conducted on Sociology-related themes; indicate with whom you worked, what your responsibilities were, and any outcomes; important paper or thesis project you completed; anything scholarly beyond your curricular requirements.
  2. Work experiences: If you have worked since your undergraduate degree, describe what you have been doing, your responsibilities, and what you learned. If this contributed to a particular focus in Sociology, please describe.
  3. Academic interests: What you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to show the faculty that you understand the sociological research and are engaged with current research themes; your area(s) of interest; ideally, pose a question, define a problem, or indicate a theme that you would like to address or questions that arise from contemporary research; how your research interests parallel specific professors in our department; provide as many details as possible.
Personal History Statement

The Personal History Statement represents your opportunity to tell us, the admissions committee, how you arrived at this particular moment in your life. After reading your essay, we should have a clear picture of the following:

  1. Your intellectual motivation.  What motivates you as a scholar, and as a person?  What are you curious about?  How did these motivations and intellectual curiosities arise in your life?  Why will other people in sociology and beyond find these questions insightful and relevant? Why do you want to pursue a Ph. D in sociology at UC Davis? Why do you think you are likely to succeed?
  2. The obstacles you have overcome to get here. Everyone faces challenges and difficulties in their pursuit of knowledge and education. Tell us about challenges and how you overcame or succumbed to them; some failures can be more impressive than successes!

Tips:

  • Things that the admissions committee will read between the lines: self-motivation, competence, and creative potential as a graduate student.
  • Include examples; do not simply say that you are a persistent person, show it.
  • Your statement should say everything with brevity. You have only 4,000 characters for this statement.
Writing Sample

The online application requires you to upload a sample of your written work. Please submit one document. Your sample may be about a topic other than Sociology but should be representative of your scholarly interests and of present and potential level of achievement. Applicants who have a master's degree may submit a copy of their thesis if they wish. All writing samples should be in English.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Letters you submit must be from persons in a position to evaluate your scholarly potential. If possible, at least two should be from faculty with whom you have studied or worked. You must submit the letters electronically through the online application system. Paper copies will not be accepted.

Have more questions? See Letter of Recommendation FAQs on the Graduate Studies website.

Graduate Record Examination

Not currently required for admissions.

Fellowship Application

Fellowships provide funding for Ph.D. students during their studies. All applicants must complete the Online Fellowship Application for Prospective Graduate Students (included in the admission application) by December 15.

NOTE: On the first page of your online application for Ph.D. admissions, please check "yes" in response to the question that asks if you are interested in applying for fellowship funding.

Application Fee

Please consult the UC Davis Graduate Studies office for current application fees for U.S. and international applicants.

International Student Information

International students must meet the same admission requirements as United States citizens. Arrangements for taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), as well as the Graduate Admissions requirement of TOEFL scores, may be made through the Educational Testing Service, which has facilities throughout the world.

Contact the Educational Testing Service for information about test center locations and exam schedules. Additional international student resources:

Review and Notification of Admissions Decisions

The Department of Sociology's Committee on Admissions and Support reviews and makes admission decisions only on applications that are complete. The departmental decision to admit, deny or cancel an application is sent to Graduate Studies for final action by the Dean.

Applicants with completed applications will be notified of acceptance or denial within 10 to 12 weeks of the December 15 application deadline. Applicants with incomplete applications (e.g., missing transcripts, GRE scores or letters of recommendation) will not be notified.

For consideration of admission to graduate study and financial assistance, all application materials must be received by the dates indicated. Late applications will not be accepted.

Student Funding

There are many sources of graduate student financial assistance available through UC Davis and the Department of Sociology. Typically, all graduate students are guaranteed funding in the form of a Teaching Assistant position or a Graduate Student Researcher position.

Current Tuition and Fee amounts are available here.

Teaching Appointments

Academic Student Employees (ASEs) receive full remission of tuition and partial remission of fees. Non-resident supplemental tuition (NRST) is not covered by remission.

Paid by Remission:

  • Tuition
  • Student Services Fee
  • Health Insurance (UC SHIP) 

Not paid by Remission

  • Graduate Student Association (GSA) Fee
  • Memorial Union Fee
  • Facilities and Campus Enhancement Fee
  • Student Facilities Safety Fee NRST

Associate Instructors (AI): Students who are close to or have advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree are eligible to apply for associate instructor (AI) positions. These positions are given to graduate students who have excellent scholarship and teaching promise. They are temporarily appointed as the instructor of a lower-division course, and in rare cases, of an upper division course. This position qualifies for a partial remission of in-state fees, along with a monthly stipend. There are also opportunities in the summer for appointment as an associate instructor. Workload should be consistent with the normal workload for the course (50% appointment).

Teaching Assistants (TA): Students may apply for a teaching assistantship (TA) at any time during their studies. Awards are made each quarter for the following academic quarter and are granted for the full three quarters whenever possible. However, because of excess enrollments, resignations, and other contingencies, positions may open up for one or two quarters. TAs work half-time (20 hours a week) and must be in good academic standing to retain an appointment. This position provides a partial fee remission of in-state fees, along with a monthly stipend. It is departmental policy to attempt to provide all students in good standing with some TA experience. In addition, depending on a student's background and skills, opportunities to TA in other departments often are available. Workload should not exceed 220 hours per quarter (50% appointment).

Readers (RDR): Many upper-division courses need readers. Duties include the grading of student papers and examinations. Students may read for more than one course at a time. This position provides a partial remission of in-state fees. An hourly salary is paid for the actual number of hours spent grading. Pay is disbursed after readers submit their hours for grading.   Readers’ hours vary per week and typically correspond with busy times in the quarter such as midterms and finals. Workload should not exceed 110 hours per quarter (25% appointment).

Interested in teaching for Sociology? The department posts any available graduate teaching positions on Handshake.

Resources: UC-UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement (effective 8/23/18-6/30/22)

Research Assistantships

Various faculty members have research grants that provide money for research assistants. Graduate student researcher (GSR) duties may involve tasks such as observation and interviewing, questionnaire development, computer work, and/or library research. Students most likely to become GSRs are those who are specializing in or who are interested in the faculty member's area of research, and who possess requisite skills or are willing to acquire them. Inquire about such positions by directly contacting individual faculty members.

Graduate student research assistants have varying terms of employment and may work a maximum of 20 hours a week. GSR appointments of 25% time or greater include full tuition and fee remission, along with a monthly stipend. GSRs are compensated according to their graduate program's compensation plan.

Resource: Sociology GSR Compensation Plan

Work Study

Work Study: Work study units are allocated to graduate programs; programs, in turn, award these units to their students. In order to be eligible for work study units, you must be: determined financially eligible by the Financial Aid Office, be a US Citizen or Resident, and be selected for a graduate student researcher assistantship of 25% or more by a UCD faculty member. Your major professor should make a request to the Wing Chair for these units in the spring for the following academic year, confirming that the matching funds are available. Awards will be made for either 25% or 50%. Important: You must submit a FAFSA in order to be eligible for work study.

Financial Aid

The UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships office is an excellent source of reliable, comprehensive information about work-study programs and other sources of financial aid. Visit the Graduate Financial Aid Office at 1100 Dutton Hall or call (530) 752-9246 (students with hearing impairments can dial 711 on campus to reach CRS) for information and deadlines.

FAFSA

The online Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) is available by the beginning of January. We strongly encourage graduate applicants to submit a FAFSA as early as possible and not later than the March deadline. This form, submitted directly to the Federal Student Aid Program Office is used to determine eligibility for financial aid funds, including work-study and other need-based fellowships. Your eligibility will be determined and forwarded to the UC Davis Financial Aid Office. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Information also has information about federal student assistance programs.

UC Davis Campus Fee Grant

The UC Davis Campus Fee Grant is the only grant administered by the Graduate Financial Aid Office. It is a need-based award for students who establish and maintain sufficient financial need. It can be used to cover the fees (i.e., Campus-Based Fees) not paid by TA remission. Note: Campus Fee Grant funding is not guaranteed. The Graduate Financial Aid Office strongly recommends that every FAFSA filing student report all anticipated external and academic funding (Grants, Fellowships, TAships, GSRs etc.) to their office so they can accurately determine your financial aid eligibility. You must file a FAFSA to be eligible to receive this grant.

Emergency, Short-Term, or Assistant Loans

If you are experiencing a temporary shortage of funds, you may request an Emergency, Short-Term or Assistant loan (graduate students only). Requests are limited to costs related to educational expenses as found in the Cost of Attendance. The application is available Monday through Friday while each term is in session, excluding holidays, at the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. Appointment times will be scheduled from 10 am through 2 pm.

University Fellowships

Fellowships provide financial support for stipends, tuition and fees, nonresident supplemental tuition, research and travel. The UC Davis Graduate Studies Internal Fellowships website identifies available scholarships and fellowships and contains a link to the fellowship application form.

There are a number of university fellowships you can apply for, some of which are restricted to students meeting specific criteria. The department submits nominations to Graduate Studies for these fellowships. Once nominations are submitted to Graduate Studies, selections for these fellowships are made from a campus-wide pool. Students will be notified by Graduate Studies if they are selected to receive a campus fellowship.

Prospective Students: December 15 Deadline for all admission requirements (included in the online application for admission).

Continuing Students: January 15 Deadline to submit your online application, which includes:

  • Statement of purpose and personal history statement
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
  • UC Davis Transcripts (copy of unofficial transcript from SISWEB is acceptable)
External Fellowships

External Fellowships are those offered by private foundations, government agencies, and corporations. Fellowships can range from one-time to multi-year awards. The department encourages students to apply for external funding, as receipt of external funding exemplifies excellence in research, writing and scholarship.

The DSS Research Service Center and the Office of Graduate Studies offer assistance to Sociology graduate students applying for external funding.

List of External Funding Databases:

Department Fellowships

The Department of Sociology has limited fellowship funds available for the recruitment of new students and to support continuing students. The philosophy of the department is to support incoming students with a combination of fellowships and teaching assistantships during their first year. In subsequent years, students are appointed as either teaching assistants, graduate student research assistants, associate instructors or a combination of these three. During the dissertation period, students may apply for fellowship support to assist them in their writing.

Questions?

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

PDF version: Sociology Admission FAQs.pdf

  • How many applications do you receive?
  • We receive anywhere from 75 to 130 applications each year.
  • How competitive is the admission process?
  • We usually make 22 to 25 offers with the hope of getting a cohort size of 8 to 12. We are not allowed to re-offer admission once students decline an offer.
  • What grade point average is required for acceptance?
  • The UC Davis Graduate Studies requires a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale. The average for students admitted into the Sociology graduate program in recent years is approximately 3.5.
  • Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) a prerequisite for admission?
  • No, the GRE is not required this admissions cycle.
  • What score do I need on the GRE for admission?
  • In recent years, the average GRE raw score for students admitted into the program is 150 or better in Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, and 4.0 or better in Analytical Writing. Only the general test is required.
  • Do you require the subject test for the GRE?
  • No, the GRE is not required this admissions cycle.
  • Is a master's degree required for admission into the doctoral program?
  • You do not need a master's degree to be accepted into our doctoral program. A bachelor's degree is sufficient, as long as you meet the other admission requirements.
  • I do not wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree; I want to earn only a master’s degree. Should I apply?
  • We do not offer a standalone master's program. Our program is exclusively designed for students who wish to pursue doctoral studies, although you can earn an M.A. degree as part of the Ph.D. curriculum.
  • What is the deadline for applying for admission?
  • The application deadline for students is December 15, for the following fall quarter.
  • Where should I send my transcripts?
  • For the online application, you should upload scanned copies of your unofficial transcripts. After you have been admitted and have submitted your intent to register, UC Davis will require you to send official transcripts from each college-level institution you have attended to Graduate Studies. Please do not send any transcripts to the department. For more help with transcripts, see Transcript FAQs.
  • From whom should I seek the letters of recommendation?
  • The letters of recommendation should be from persons who can evaluate your scholarly potential. We suggest obtaining letters from faculty members with whom you have studied or worked. You must submit the letters electronically through the online application system. Paper copies will not be accepted. For more help with letters of recommendation, see Letters of Recommendation FAQs.
  • Do you offer classes in the evening?
  • Class times are set by individual instructors. They are normally held during the morning and afternoon.
  • How much time is required to obtain a doctoral degree?
  • Graduate students typically need three years to complete course work and anywhere from 2 to 4 years to complete their qualifying paper, exams and dissertation.
  • Does the department have a time limit for completion of the dissertation?
  • Graduate students typically take two or three years to complete their dissertation research and writing following advancement to candidacy. A student who has not completed dissertation work within three years of passing qualifying examinations, however, may be in jeopardy of losing financial support from the program.
  • How many faculty members does the department have?
  • The Department of Sociology has 22 full-time tenure-track faculty members. We additionally have 5 affiliated faculty members.
  • How many graduate students are currently enrolled in the Sociology graduate program?
  • We typically have about 68 graduate students.
  • What is a typical cohort size?
  • Approximately 8 to 12.
  • What types of financial aid are available to graduate students at UC Davis?
  • The department generally offers funding to all admitted students through a combination of employment and fellowships (see Financial Support). Various loans, grants and fellowships also are available through the UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
  • What on-campus academic employment opportunities are available?
  • Students in the Department of Sociology usually are offered a paying position as a teaching assistant. A limited number of graduate research assistant positions also are available depending on faculty needs. Upon advancing to candidacy, students who have demonstrated excellence in teaching may be offered the opportunity to instruct their own class.
  • Whom do I contact if I have a question about residency?
  • If you have any questions about residency status, contact the Office of the Registrar.
  • I am an international applicant; do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is required if English is not your native language, unless you have received or will be receiving an undergraduate degree from a university at which the primary language of instruction (through the entire school) is English. The minimum TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score for admission is 80. Applicants may need to satisfy additional minimum requirements to serve as a teaching assistant. TOEFL scores expire after two years.
  • What are the Institution Codes for GRE and the TOEFL?
  • The UC Davis Institution Code for both GRE and TOEFL is 4834.
  • What are the graduate/admission requirements to be employed as a teaching assistant?
  • Per the Office of Graduate Studies, all graduate students who have not earned a prior undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction must meet one or more of the following requirements:
    - Minimum score of 26 on the Speaking subset of the TOEFL iBT
    - Minimum score of 7 on the Speaking subset of the IELTS
    - Achieve a minimum score of 50 on the SPEAK (internal UC Davis exam)
    - Achieve a "pass" on the TOEP (internal UC Davis exam)

    Download and review the language proficiency requirements for teaching assistant positions.

Additional Questions?