Online PhD in sociology
Have you been thinking about pursuing a PhD in sociology because you find the study of social behavior and culture to be so fascinating?
Contrary to popular belief, sociology is much more intriguing than the study of social behavior and culture. We will examine the many facets of sociology that you might not be aware of in this comprehensive guide.
A typical sociology PhD can take three to five years to finish, which is a considerable amount of time in my opinion. With the introduction of online learning, this myth has undergone a full transformation. With an online PhD program, you can finish the degree faster without having to take time off from work.
If you have been actively searching for PhD in sociology online then keep reading as we discuss a complete guide in this article.
Online PhD in Sociology
Sociology is a social science that studies society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and cultural aspects of daily life. If you’re interested in the study of social behavior and culture, you might want to consider pursuing a PhD in sociology. A PhD in social science with a sociology specialization can advance your education and prepare you for a new and exciting career.
Students can further their areas of specialization in the field at the PhD level. Culture and cognition, gender inequality, sociopolitical forces, and health and population studies are all common specializations. PhD candidates are prepared to make original contributions to the field through research and data analysis.
PhD programs in sociology are better suited for working professionals who want to expand their knowledge and conduct deeper research in areas they are already familiar with. Many online PhD programs in sociology combine faculty-directed research with online courses and, in some cases, in-person residencies.
Students enrolled in either campus-based or online PhD programs in sociology are typically required to complete large-scale capstone projects and research. Most online PhD sociology programs can be completed in three to four years, depending on whether you entered the program with a master’s degree, how long it took you to complete your dissertation and other factors.
Programs are typically created to complement and draw from actual practical experience. Thus, after completing the programs, students are prepared to work at the highest levels in a variety of industries, including business, education, healthcare, human services, and criminal justice.
The curriculum of An Online PhD in Sociology
Online PhD programs in sociology are typically comprised of coursework, research, dissertation, and in most cases teaching practicum. Since the main objective of these sociology programs is to prepare graduates who are competent in research, coursework is heavily geared toward research
Some of the courses that you will have to study during your PhD program include:
- Social Welfare
- Criminology
- Gender Studies
- Ethnicity and Race
- Urban Studies
- Politics and Sociology
- Inequality in Society
- Race and Racism
- Social Theories
- Political Sociology
- Marriage and Family Relations
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
The majority of the time, you will also be required to enroll in electives from the sociology department or from other departments whose courses correspond to your interests and professional objectives.
Finally, for a student to be granted a PhD, candidates must propose an original research project, carry out and analyze research, and present to a committee. A successful oral defense of a dissertation is the final component on the path to a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Admission Requirements
Some sociology doctoral programs call for a master’s degree and a minimum GPA. As a result, you must be able to demonstrate your strengths by fulfilling the standards because the programs are extremely competitive.
Below are some of the requirements you will need to be admitted into an online PhD in sociology program:
- Masters degree
- Transcripts of previous studies
- Some institutions will need you to provide results of the Graduate Record Examination(GRE)
- Letters of recommendation from your previous supervisors and schools
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Some prestigious universities that offer doctoral degrees in sociology need samples of academic writing or proof of unique research.
Additionally, there is a good chance that in addition to the GRE, international students will likely be asked to take the TOEFL exam.
Online PhD in Sociology – Program Outcome
Future academics are taught the foundational knowledge of sociology in the PhD program. In order to contribute significantly and uniquely to the field, students will gain advanced knowledge of sociological theory and research in their selected areas of concentration within the discipline.
As a graduate with a PhD in sociology, students are expected to understand the underpinnings of the subject material and apply the skills learned to solve social problems. In addition, students are supposed to be able to do the following:
- Study social concerns and intellectual conflicts using sociological methods.
- Exhibit a high level of proficiency in at least one of the department’s four primary research areas.
- Think imaginatively and comprehend how theoretical concepts and theories are developed.
- Show proficiency with cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative techniques
- Create and carry out theory-driven, methodologically sound research that adds something new to the body of knowledge.
- Effectively communicate research to academic and general audiences
- Engage in a variety of professional pursuits and hone your individual teaching abilities
Universities Offering Online PhD in sociology
- Texila American University
- Selinus University of Science and Literature
- Atlantic International University
- Auream Phoenix University for Women
Texila American University
Texila American University (TAU) is an offshore private medical school in Georgetown, Guyana, and provides undergraduate and graduate programs in medicine, nursing, public health, and allied sciences.
In collaboration with the University of Central Nicaragua, Texila American University offers an online PhD in sociology. This is a well-structured, international curriculum program that will prepare you to become a research scholar in the social sciences.
The online PhD in sociology program requires 90 credits and can be completed within 3 years. During the program, you will dive deep into courses like Contemporary Sociological Theories, Gender Inequalities, Race, and Ethnic Relations, Urban Sociology, and more.
The school is registered with the National Accreditation Council of Guyana.
Selinus University of Science and Literature
Selinus University is an international graduate school registered in the State of Delaware (USA) and in the Republic of Panama. They have been licensed by the WCI (World Certification Institute) to offer undergraduate, master, and doctoral programs
They offer a well-structured online PhD program in sociology with courses like Cross Cultural Social Perspectives, Social Class and Stratification, Social Activities and Relations, Social Psychology,
Social Welfare, multicultural diversity, and more.
The program requires 65 academic credits besides a Master’s program and can be completed within 18 months. This program is 100% online and students from different parts of the world with diverse cultures can enroll provided they are above 30 years.
Atlantic International University
Atlantic International University, Inc. is a for-profit private distance learning university headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Atlantic International University’s online PhD in sociology assists students in developing core strategic areas of required expertise such as social stratification and hierarchies, family structures, social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, dynamics of social change, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.
It is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC) in the United Kingdom.
Auream Phoenix University for Women
Auream Phoenix University for Women (APUW) is the world’s first private, international, Distance Learning university dedicated solely to the education of women.
They offer a fully online PhD in distance learning programs with sociology being one of them. During the program, you’ll learn concepts like Organizational Behavior, Marriage and Family Relations, Political Sociology, Analysis of Social Problems, Social Problems and Deviance, Personality and Social Development, and more.
Aside from a Master’s program, the program requires 65 academic credits and can be completed in 18 months.
Career Prospects For Sociologists & Salaries
The variety of positions held by those having PhDs in sociology mirrors the range of topics covered by the discipline. The majority of these Ph.D. degree graduates work in academia as instructors and researchers. However, others may also pursue careers in politics, business, or social services.
A PhD in sociology can also prepare you to apply for jobs in think tanks, colleges, universities, and professional schools as well as in the management of businesses and enterprises and scientific research and development services.
| Position | Estimated Salary | Estimated Job Growth |
| Sociologist | $92,910 | 5% |
| Market research analyst | $63,920 | 19% |
| Postsecondary teacher | $79,640 | 12% |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,500 | 4% |
| Social worker | $50,390 | 9% |
| Human Resources Manager | $126,230 | 7% |
| Criminologist | $61,930 | 11% |
| Community Development Worker | $74,000 | 10% |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of sociologists will increase by 5% between 2021 and 2031, which is about average for all occupations. This suggests that over the next ten years, there will be, on average, 300 openings for sociologists per year.
The employment rate for other professions is anticipated to expand at a rate that is significantly higher than the average, even though the prediction for sociologists is rather modest. For instance, the employment outlook for post-secondary professors, criminologists, market research analysts, and community workers is significantly better than the national average.
It is also worth noting that these salaries are highly dependent on the industry and the state. Some industries will pay higher and states like California, North Carolina, and Massachusetts are expected to pay more.
Conclusion
You’ll get the most out of a doctorate in sociology if you keep your career goals front and center, regardless of whether you want to teach at a prestigious university, work as a freelance consultant, or run an organization. It takes initiative and dedication to earn a doctorate in sociology, but the outcome should be worthwhile.