Ph. D. Areas of Study
Sociology Ph. D. students must specialize in one of four Areas of Study and must select another one as their minor area. Our four areas of study — Health & Aging, Stratification and Social Justice, Social Demography, and Social Psychology — are described below, along with a list of illustrative courses offered in each area and a list faculty who teach in each area. The areas are listed in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Students may petition the Director of Graduate Studies (and appropriate graduate faculty committees) to substitute for their minor area a specialization in research methods and/or sociological theory. (See Guide to Graduate Studies in Sociology 2009.)


