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Department of Sociology

Coursework for the Ph.D.: Developing a Plan of Study

The Ph.D. in Sociology requires students to develop a plan of study that will lead to a coherent program of academic exploration and research. Upon entry to the program, each student will be assigned a Sociology faculty advisor who will work with the student to develop the initial program of study. Students can change their advisors after the first semester with the approval of the new advisor and the Sociology Graduate committee.

I. Coursework

  • Interdisciplinary:

            Pro-seminar
            Capstone
            Electives (12 credit hours in at least two disciplines outside
            Sociology)

  • Discipline:

            SYA 7019: Advanced Theory
            SYA 7515: Advanced Research Methods and Study Design
            Electives (9 credit hours)

  • Specialty Methods Class
  • Dissertation proposal preparation (6 credit hours)
  • Dissertation research (18 credit hours spread over two semesters)

II. Order for taking courses:

  1. It is expected that the following courses will be taken in specific semesters:

            First semester, first year: Interdisciplinary Pro-seminar
            Second semester, second year: Interdisciplinary Capstone

  1. The timing for taking the following courses will depend upon how they are scheduled:

            SYA 7019: Advanced Sociological Theory
            SYA 7515: Advanced Research Methods and Study Design

  1. Students may take sociology electives (9 credit hours), interdisciplinary electives (12 credit hours) and the specialty methods course (3 credit hours) in any combination, in any order.


III. Choosing appropriate courses:

An appropriate course:

  • includes content that is important to develop the students’ interests. This determination should be made by students in consultation with faculty advisors;
  • is listed at the 6000 or 7000 level. Courses under 6000 are not appropriate for Ph.D. students;
  • has an enrollment completely or primarily limited to graduate students. Courses that are “cross-listed” at both graduate and undergraduate levels are not appropriate.

IV. Resources to find appropriate courses:

  • Faculty advisors can be of tremendous assistance;
  • USF requires departments to schedule courses one year in advance. Any person can view these proposed class schedules through the OASIS website. Go to the public site—you do not need to sign in.

Note: Be aware that schedules are not written in stone. Expect changes—especially for the semester that is a full year in the future.

  • Students always should contact the course instructor before registering for a class. Instructors can inform students if (a) they will be allowed to register – some departments limit course enrollment to their majors; (b) they meet the formal and/or informal pre-requisites; and (c) the actual course content (topics, readings, requirements) is suitable.
  • Course instructors and/or Department chairs sometimes can estimate the likelihood that a particular course will be taught in the following year.