Use a sociological approach to solve problems such as educational equity. This doctoral program will train you to analyze educational problems and issues using research methods of sociology. You’ll be prepared to work as an educational sociology professor or as a researcher, conducting basic and applied research in public and private institutions.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of the on-campus or online events to get to know program faculty, their research, and to look for alignment in research interests. Due to an overwhelming number of requests, and to keep our responses equitable, we do not schedule individual meetings with faculty and prospective students. If you have questions about the program and cannot attend an event, you may also email our staff to ask questions or set up a phone appointment. These meetings do not influence admission decisions.
Academic Plan Code: SOED
Degree: PHD
Credits: 48 credits for students who matriculate with an MA in a related field and 65 credits for students who matriculate with a BA only.
Academic Load: The time it takes for you to complete this program will vary, based on if you study full-time or part-time and the number of credits you register for each semester. Please be aware that some programs do not offer a part-time option.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
1. Prepare Your Application
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
You are required to upload a typed, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in this particular program as part of your application. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the admissions committee about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits.
Writing Sample
As part of your application, you are required to submit an academic writing sample - a course paper or its equivalent - that demonstrates your writing and analytic abilities. The sample should be no more than 20 pages and does not need to display a knowledge of sociology or sociology in education.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit three letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
Transcripts
Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary school you have attended or are attending. Make sure to request them in advance of the deadline.
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Mailing Additional Items
If any remaining application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials together in a single mailing using this document cover sheet. Items received without the cover sheet take longer to process and match to your application. Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.
Application Policies
Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Institute of Education Sciences-funded Predoctoral Interdisciplinary Research Training (IES-PIRT) Program
NYU's IES-PIRT Program is committed to strengthening the pipeline of skilled researchers prepared to conduct rigorous and relevant education research. We intend to recruit students from groups underrepresented in education sciences, including scholars of color, students from low-income families, immigrant origin students, and individuals with disabilities. Qualified incoming PhD students may apply for a 4-year fellowship that includes a generous stipend, tuition coverage, and other benefits. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. To be considered for the fellowship, IES-PIRT strongly recommends that applicants signal their interest in the IES-PIRT fellowship in their application and check the expression of interest box in Steinhardt's application portal. When reviewing applications, the IES-PIRT committee is looking for a) a clear record of interest and/or commitment to research on causal questions in education science relevant to the U.S. context, b) demonstrated aptitude for and interest in quantitative methods and data science, as demonstrated by high grades in advanced math, quantitative methods, or statistics coursework in college and/or graduate school, and c) clear evidence of interest in developing research skills and knowledge in areas of education science. Learn more about IES-PIRT or contact ies.pirt.admin@nyu.edu for more information.
Steinhardt Fellows Program and Research Assistantships
We offer a competitive funding program for full-time PhD students that supports tuition and living expenses. The Steinhardt Fellows program is designed to help PhD students undertake full-time study and research, to participate in superior academic and scholarly experiences, and to complete their studies in a timely manner. Students in the PhD in Sociology of Education receive five years of fellowship (full tuition and fees, student health insurance, and a living stipend of $32,000) . In addition, each of the School's academic departments has developed a set of benchmarks and milestones, such as conference presentations, exhibitions, authored manuscripts, grant submissions, and sample syllabi, that faculty mentors help their students achieve in order to prepare them academically and professionally for post-doctoral work.
All admitted full-time PhD students are awarded a full funding package and are assigned to a faculty mentor. There is no special application for this funding program.
See more information about doctoral funding.
Selected doctoral students may alternatively be appointed to a Research Assistantship. Research Assistants are funded by external grants and work with a principal investigator on a funded research project. Unlike Steinhardt Fellows, RAs agree to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing research project, typically with a team of faculty and other students. Steinhardt Fellows may become Research Assistants when Steinhardt faculty win funding for projects that require research assistance.
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 by the extent to which the faculty members are able to take on new doctoral students, and 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. Reason(s) for the appeal and supporting documents must be included.