About PhD Program,
Rice Sociology is eager to welcome applications for our Fall 2025 cohort of Ph.D. students! Applications will open September 1, 2024, with an application deadline of December 1, 2024.
In 2008, the sociology department received a generous, $6.4 million dollar grant from the Houston Endowment to design and launch a doctoral program at Rice University. This gift was viewed as transformative for Rice University and the City of Houston. The Ph.D. program was launched in 2011 with much fanfare due to the strong reputation for educational excellence in social sciences at Rice, and since we were filling the void of no sociology Ph.D. programs in Houston.
The Rice Sociology doctoral program prepares students to be sociologists of the highest quality, able to conduct cutting edge research and to teach with excellence. It offers close research mentorship around the central focus of culture and social inequality. Both of these areas are mixed methods; both have intersectional possibilities; and both are theoretically rich yet have direct real world applications. The grad program’s innovative curriculum offers the following features:
- training in the entire spectrum of research methods
- an individualized “apprenticeship” model
- connections with Houston’s premier research, science, and educational institutions
- collaborative work across the university and with other institutions
- new approaches to the dissemination of ideas, including digital modes of publication, social media, and community outreach or “public sociology.”
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Students are admitted on a competitive basis. Admitted students must have at least a Baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) or equivalent, and a minimum 3.0 (B) GPA. There is no minimum entrance requirement in terms of GRE scores.
Students must score at least 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or score at least 90 on the internet-based TOEFL. For students who choose to take the IELTS in lieu of TOEFL, the minimum score is 7.
GRE scores are valid for 5 years after the testing year (July 1-June 30) in which you took the exam; for example, if you are applying for the 2024-2025 school year, you may submit GRE scores earned on or after July 1, 2019. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years after the test date.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Support for graduate students is available in the form of:
- Tuition waiver
- Research assistantships
- Generous student stipends
Students accepted into the graduate program will be fully funded. In addition to tuition waivers, each student will receive a generous stipend. Some will be eligible for summer funding as well.
Graduate Housing
Rice’s graduate students live off campus, either in nearby rental properties or at the university-owned Rice Graduate Apartments, Morningside Square Apartments or the Rice Village Apartments. Learn more about Rice’s convenient graduate student housing options.
Application Requirement,
A completed application form
Application fee
Transcripts
GRE/TOEFL
Letters of recommendation
Writing sample
Statement of Purpose
Other Requirements
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is $85.00 and can be paid through the online graduate application.
