Department of Sociology

Admissions Information

Pearlman Hall

Pearlman Hall

Application Requirements

Applicants for any of the graduate degree programs are required to upload:

  • A completed application form.

  • Statement of purpose.

  • Letters of recommendation, submitted online. Three letters are required for both the Sociology PhD program and the joint Sociology & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program.
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all universities and colleges attended must be uploaded to your application.

  • Resume or CV.
  • TOEFL score (if applicable).
  • A sample of your written work.
  • Application fee.

The online application and additional application details are available on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.

The deadline for completed PhD applications is Dec 15.

Financial Assistance

All students accepted into the PhD program in Sociology receive full tuition and fellowship support. 

The fellowship may be renewed for up to five years conditional on satisfactory performance. While on fellowship funding, PhD students are required to act as teaching or research fellows as part of their fellowship support. PhD students also receive tuition remission through the university through their fifth year. Some teaching jobs beyond the fifth year may be available at Brandeis and other local colleges. Students admitted into the joint Sociology & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Master's degree program may apply to GSAS for partial (up to 50 percent) tuition remission, and may be eligible for a grant from the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program.

Students admitted into the joint Sociology & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Master's degree program may apply to GSAS for partial (up to 50 percent) tuition remission, and may be eligible for a grant from the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program.

Transfer Credit

Students in the PhD program may be able to transfer some course credit for relevant work done elsewhere. This can be used to satisfy department and university residence requirements. Students apply for transfer credit after completing a year in the program.