PhD in Sociology in Santa Cruz United States | University of California, Santa Cruz

The Sociology Department at UCSC fosters groundbreaking thinking through its interdisciplinary approach and dedication to research that impacts society beyond academia. The Ph.D. program prepares graduates for diverse career paths, both within and outside academic institutions. Structured to provide comprehensive training in sociological theory, methodologies, and key subject areas, the program also encourages exploration of complementary fields to support students' research goals. Following core coursework, students collaborate with faculty advisors to tailor their academic journey. This program exclusively offers a Ph.D. in Sociology, though students may earn a non-terminal Master's degree during their doctoral studies.

The curriculum consists of two main components. First, students establish foundational knowledge in sociological theory and research methods, with opportunities for specialized study through faculty-guided independent research. Second, the program introduces five interdisciplinary research concentrations, allowing students to engage with multiple thematic areas rather than restricting them to a single focus. Faculty research often spans these categories, reflecting shared interests in World-Building, Political Imaginaries, and Alternative Futures - overarching themes that examine social transformation, collective political formations, emotional aspects of political engagement, and visionary social thought. The five concentration areas are: (1) Political Economies and Political Ecologies, (2) Space, Place, and Mobility, (3) Culture, Knowledge, and Power (4) Publics, Policy, and Law, (5) World Building, Political Imaginaries, and Alternative Futures. Students also receive extensive methodological training to support their original research projects.