Graduate Program
About our Program
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at WVU offers a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Sociology. All students entering the program will be enrolled as doctoral students. Students entering the program with a BA/BS will be dually enrolled in the M.A. and Ph.D. programs until they complete the M.A. requirements.
The doctoral program explores societal connections through four unique specializations
2) Inequality, Diversity, and Equity
3) Social Psychology and Group Processes
The Ph.D. program is designed for students who have a strong interest in working as professional sociologists in teaching, writing, and research, or for students intending to pursue non-academic careers.
The program emphasizes foundational coursework in sociology, including theory, methods and statistics, as well as courses and independent research in an area related to the department’s research specializations. Each student constructs a rigorous program of study suited to their research. Students are also encouraged to pursue additional certificate programs to complement their studies.
The department is strongly committed to teaching, mentoring, and collaborative research with students. Members of the faculty have received major research grants, won national teaching and research awards, published several books and numerous academic articles, and served as the editor or editorial board members of prestigious journals. In many cases, students have worked as research collaborators with faculty and presented co-authored publications at regional and national academic conferences such as the American Sociological Association, North Central Sociological Association, American Society of Criminology, and Sociologists for Women in Society—to name a few. Students are also engaged in research groups with faculty such as the Religion and Society Research Group, Amish Research Team, West Virginia Social Survey Center, and the Research Center on Violence, which offers assistantships, research, and service opportunities.
To apply:
- Please check our Sociology Admission Requirements
- To apply for Fall admission, submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing sample and statement of interest by January 15 through the WVU application portal.
- International applicants should also visit WVU graduate admissions for international students.
- Feel free to email for help with additional questions and information