To receive full consideration for admission and financial aid for the upcoming Fall term, completed School of Sociology applications for fall admission must be received by January 5. Applications will open on October 1st.
How to Apply
To apply, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application. Follow these steps:
- Create a GradApp account
- Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account".
- Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.
- Choose "Degree Seeking" under application type and either "Sociology (PhD)" under program of study.
- Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program (Fall, 20XX).
- Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications."
Admission Requirements
You must hold either a bachelor's or master's degree with a 3.00 grade point average. Only students who expect to obtain the Ph.D. degree are typically admitted to the program. Students are normally admitted to the program only in the fall semester.
A limited number of students are admitted on a competitive basis each year. Admissions and financial aid decisions are made based on GPA and letters of recommendations. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) subject and general aptitude test scores are required for 2025-26 admissions.
The school also follows affirmative action guidelines in its selection and funding of graduate students.
Application Checklist
You'll be asked to provide or upload key pieces of information under the "Supplemental Questions" section of the application.
Application Fee
An application fee $90 must be paid before your application will be considered complete and ready for review. The School of Sociology is not in a position to waive the fee since it is collected by The University of Arizona Graduate College. Applicants affiliated with certain federally-sponsored programs may apply for an application fee waiver.
Statement of Purpose
A statement of purpose, 1-2 pages in length, describing your interests and goals in graduate study.
GRE Scores
GRE Scores (Domestic and International Applicants)
You must submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general aptitude test not over three years old. GRE scores are used in conjunction with other application materials; no minimum score is required for admission. However, students with scores below the 50th percentile must offer especially strong supporting materials to be competitive.
Ask that your scores be sent to Institution Code #4832.
Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of 3 and maximum of 4 letters of recommendation are required. These letters should be written by faculty or employers that can speak about your academic and research ability. You will list their contact information on the application, and they will receive an automatic email generated from the University's GradApp system.
Transcripts
Official or unofficial transcripts from all previous academic institutions you have attended to satisfy your Bachelor's Degree (and your Master's Degree, if applicable). If you are recommended to our program and you accept, the Graduate Office of Admission will then and only then require your original transcripts.
Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vita or resume summarizing your education, experience, and accomplishments.
Writing Sample
A sample of your previous writing (in English), such as a term paper or thesis.
Additional Documents (Optional)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: Describe briefly any research experiences you have had, either in sociology or elsewhere, that have not already appeared in your Personal Statement or Writing Sample but that you would like us to know (this is optional). Examples include senior papers, master’s theses, and/or work as a research assistant, analyst, programmer, etc. Be sure to describe the methods and/or statistics you used.
English Language Proficiency (International Applicants)
For International students, Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. Scores must not be over two years old.
See Graduate College requirements for international students.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must show a minimum score of 79 iBT (or 60 on the revised PBT with no section score lower than 15). Individual MyBest scores must also be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid. Students wishing to be considered for financial aid in the form of an assistantship must score a minimum of 24 on the speaking section of the TOEFL IBT. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) must have a minimum composite score of 7, with no subject below a 6. Students wishing to be considered for financial aid in the form of an assistantship must score a minimum of 7.5 in the speaking section. 8 is the recommended level.
Request that your scores be submitted by the testing organization (TOEFL or IELTS). List 2102 as the department code for sociology and 4832 for the school code. Your scores will then be sent electronically to the University of Arizona, where they will be automatically merged with your application.
For the CEPT Full Academic test - minimum total score of 110, offered by our Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
Financial Aid
If you wish to be considered for financial aid, please indicate this on your application (last question under supplemental questions). We offer three forms of aid:
- A half-time (20 hours per week) graduate research OR teaching assistantships, which waive nonresident tuition and (for 2022-23) provide a starting stipend of $21,750 for students without an M.A. degree.
- A limited number of Graduate College Fellowships.
- Tuition Scholarships, which waive non-resident tuition and fees.
Questions?
Inquiries about Sociology Application Procedures
Raquel Fareio, Manager of Administration (pinar@arizona.edu)
Phone: (520) 621-3492
Inquiries about the Sociology Doctoral Program
Louise Roth, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies (lroth@arizona.edu)