About PhD Program,
The doctoral program in sociology prepares students for careers in research and teaching. The curriculum is intended both to acquaint students with the discipline of sociology and provide training in fields of special interest. Of the twelve required courses, four must be drawn from core courses in sociological theory, statistics, and research methods. Students are given ample opportunity to specialize, but the Faculty believes that specialization must be preceded by a thorough grounding in a wide range of classical and contemporary theories, proficiency in social statistics, and a variety of research methods. The curriculum permits — and Faculty encourage — study in related disciplines.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
If you have completed your undergraduate degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) or will have completed it prior to your intended matriculation date at Yale, you may apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
A Master’s degree is not required to apply for a PhD at Yale, although some programs give preference to applicants with post-baccalaureate training. Consult your program of interest directly for information on how it evaluates applications.
We value diversity of all kinds at the Graduate School, and we encourage students from all backgrounds to apply if Yale is a good fit for your intellectual and professional goals. All are welcome to apply, without regard to citizenship or immigration status, socioeconomic level, race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, disability, etc.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Our funding packages for Yale PhD students are among the most generous in the world. Every PhD student receives a fellowship for the full cost of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and paid health coverage, though the details of your funding package will differ depending on your academic program. On average, doctoral students receive more than $500,000 in tuition fellowships, stipends, and health premium benefits over the course of their enrollment. Full PhD funding normally extends for a minimum of five years, unless your doctoral program is of shorter duration, e.g., Investigative Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Public Health.
The main categories of funding available to PhD students are detailed below. Our Programs & Policies handbook contains additional information about funding and fellowship opportunities available at the Graduate School, along with applicable policies.
If you have questions about your funding, you can ask your program registrar or DGS, Graduate Financial Aid, or Associate Dean Robert Harper-Mangels.
Application Requirement,
You will need to provide the following with your application for admission:
- A statement of academic purpose. You will find the prompt for the statement of purpose in our Application Question FAQs.
- A list of all the prior colleges or universities you have attended, accompanied by unofficial transcripts from each school. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with your application. Official or paper transcripts are not needed at this time.
- Three letters of recommendation. Enter the names of your recommenders directly in the application and they will receive a link to upload a letter on your behalf.
- $105 application fee or fee waiver.
- Standardized tests. GRE requirements vary by program. TOEFL or IELTS are necessary for most non-native English speakers.
- Resume/CV.
- Some programs have additional requirements, such as a writing sample. You can find information about any specific requirements on the program’s website.
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
