Doctoral Program - Sociology of Education

The academic objectives of the doctoral program are twofold:

1. To prepare students to think sociologically and to use the research methods of sociology.
   
   
2. To train students to analyze educational problems and issues using the knowledge, concepts, and research methods of sociology.

The professional objectives of the doctoral program are also twofold:

1. To prepare professors of educational sociology for schools and colleges of education or for universities with specializations in the area of sociology as it applies to education.
   
   
2. To prepare researchers that can conduct basic and applied research in various public and private institutions in order to advance both the practice of education and the study of sociology.

Program Admissions

Please complete the Program Application Form and include it with the Steinhardt School Application materials.

See the Office of Graduate Admissions page for information on the application process: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/steinhardt/db/gad/3.

A personal interview with members of the Program faculty is recommended. This interview  will help to clarify or embellish the information gathered from the Program application as well as determine whether the interests of the students are consonant with those of the Program and its faculty. For applicants who live away from New York City, a telephone interview may be arranged

Other Important Admissions Matters

The Program considers applications once during the year in the spring for enrollment the following summer or fall. Meeting the school's application deadlines is especially important for students seeking financial assistance.

Even though the above basic criteria may be met by a student, admissions each year are also limited (1) by the extent to which the faculty members are able to take on new doctoral students, and (2) by the number of qualified students who apply.  Given the availability of open slots, the most qualified students will be admitted.

Applicants who are rejected and who wish to appeal the decision have that option by written request to the Program faculty: Richard Arum, Floyd Hammack, Cynthia Miller Idriss, and Lisa Stulberg. The reason(s) for the appeal and supporting documents must be included.

Course of Study

Stage I. Substantive Course Work
Students are expected to become thoroughly familiar with the main sociological perspectives, concepts, and theories.  They are also required to develop substantial awareness of the problems investigated by sociologists and the major empirical findings in these problem areas.  To meet those goals, candidates will take  a considerable number of courses in the Graduate School's Department of Sociology (courses beginning with a "G").  Students also complete course work in statistics and research methods offered by the Department of Sociology.  Several foundation and cognate courses will be taken during this stage in Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.  The duration of this stage depends upon the student's prior preparation.  From an appropriate master's or bachelor's degree, normally this stage takes one or two years when attendance is on a full-time basis.

Stage II. Department Candidacy Examination and Dissertation Proposal
During this stage students are expected to pass the program=s comprehensive examination and complete and outline for their proposed dissertation research.  In connection with these two work activities, candidates must take 10 points of Department Seminar work ; six points (or more, as needed) in preparation for the comprehensive and five points (or more, as needed) in completing the outline.  A substantial amount of this work involves independent study with appropriate program faculty.

The written doctoral examination covers the following three areas: (1) general sociology and sociological theory, (2) educational sociology, and (3) research methods and statistics.  Students will be asked to participate in program teaching and research projects in order to provide them with supervised experiences as practicing educational sociologists.

Stage III. Dissertation and Final Oral
During this stage the candidate will collect and analyze the data required for the thesis, complete the writing of the dissertation, and have a final oral examination on the content of the dissertation as well as on the areas of sociology and educational sociology in general.  Again, this stage ordinarily takes one to two years when attendance in full-time.

Financial Aid

Information about financial aid is obtained by writing to the School's Admissions Office at the address below. Also, from time to time a graduate assistantship is available through the Department and Program. Inquiries about such positions should be made directly to the Program.