PhD in Sociology - Science, Technology and Medicine in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Sociology Graduate Field accepts approximately 6-7 PhD candidates annually, maintaining around 40 students in the program at all times. These graduate students receive guidance from over 30 distinguished Sociology Graduate Field Faculty members spanning Cornell University. While many faculty hold primary appointments in the Sociology Department, students may seek advising from any field faculty member. Prospective applicants should examine faculty research specialties and contact relevant scholars, though admission decisions are made holistically rather than for specific faculty collaborations.

During their initial year, sociology doctoral students complete core theory and methodology courses before selecting two specialization areas from the options below. These concentrations allow students to build expertise - they may choose two major focus areas or combine one major with one minor concentration.

Following first-year coursework, students complete two concentration exams and develop a Qualifying Paper - an original, publishable research article. Successful completion leads to Doctoral Candidacy, typically achieved by summer before the third year or during third-year fall semester. Subsequent milestones include developing a dissertation proposal, conducting dissertation research, and defending the final work.

Similar to health and illness studies, this concentration attracts students examining health-related concepts. However, it emphasizes the technological and institutional frameworks influencing health outcomes. Students exploring this minor must understand theories connecting institutional access (like hospital selection) and technological availability to individual health results.