Sociolgy > Programs > Graduate

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Graduate Program

We offer programs leading to the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy. Our MA program will provide you with a good general background in sociology. The PhD program is organized around our four strongest substantive areas: Health and Medical; International, Comparative, and Asian Societies; Race, Ethnicity, and Gender; and Work, Labor Markets, and Organizations.

Although we emphasize research skills, you'll be well prepared to thrive in academic as well as applied research settings. You'll gain both theoretical perspectives and substantive knowledge relevant to contemporary society. Because of our location in the heart of one of America's most vibrant cities, you can take advantage of a rich array of training opportunities both off campus and on.

You can supplement your normal classroom experience with a variety of colloquia and other informal educational activities.

We have working relationships with a number of other departments on campus which engage in sociological research. A partial list includes:

• the Survey Research Laboratory;
• the Social Science Data Archive, an increasingly well-stocked library of extant data sets;
• the Office of Social Science Research, which promotes research on Chicago area issues such as politics, community development, and race and ethnic relations;
• the Great Cities Institute;
• the Institute for Government and Public Affairs;
• the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center for Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program;
• the Health Research and Policy Center;
• the School of Public Health; and
• the College of Nursing.

The Sociology Department also plays a lead role in the preparation of the Chicago Area Local Community Fact Book, which follows each U.S. decennial census.

In collaboration with the Department of Women's Studies, we offer an interdepartmental specialization in Women's Studies to both MA and PhD students. Please contact the department for the specific requirements of this specialization.

Here in Chicago, you can find a number of off campus training opportunities in a variety of private sector firms, as well as numerous federal, state, county and municipal government agencies. Chicago also has headquarters or branch offices for several major non-profit professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, and the American Red Cross.

Our faculty research spans the spectrum of methodological approaches and theoretical orientations. Substantive interests include:

• labor markets
• occupations and professions
• comparative economic development
• social inequalities and poverty
• race and ethnic relations
• demography
• gender and age groups
• attributional processes
• political organization
• urban development
• religion
• social epidemiology
• medical sociology
• health care organizations