Graduate Admission Information

All incoming graduate students are admitted to the Ph.D. program and must be committed to pursuing the Ph.D. degree. The Graduate Program in Sociology at the University of Miami does not accept students who aspire to earn a terminal M.A. degree.

All applicants to the Ph.D. program are evaluated across several indicators of academic potential, including grade point averages (GPA), letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose. Applicants without graduate experience are expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.20 in undergraduate coursework. Applicants with graduate experience are expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.50 in graduate coursework. All applicants should provide three (3) letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with their academic work and scholarly potential. At least two of these letters should come from professors currently or previously employed in a college or university. All applicants should provide a brief (no more than three pages), yet compelling, statement of purpose. This statement should clearly describe the applicant’s academic background, research interests, and professional goals. It should also clearly indicate how the student’s research interests are consistent with the research strengths of the department. Non-native English speakers should be prepared to demonstrate English language proficiency, as indicated by minimum scores of 80 (internet based), 213 (computer based), or 550 (paper based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. Alternatively, applicants must submit IELTS results; the minimum score schoul be 6.5. For more TOEFL/IELTS information, including waivers, see https://www.grad.miami.edu/graduate-education/international-credentials-and-applicants/index.html

Applicants can also submit Duolingo score reports. International applicants should select “University of Miami - Graduate School” from the Duolingo English Test’s institutional list. The minimum required score for the DET is 125. Official scores are required prior to admission. Scores are considered official if they are submitted to UM directly from Duolingo. Similarly to TOEFL and IELTS, the Duolingo English Test score is valid for two years. Expired scores are not acceptable for admission.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. All applicants must complete an online application and pay a non-refundable fee of $85.00. The online application link is:https://applygrad.miami.edu/portal/application.
2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions should be submitted to the Department by the Registrar of each institution. Transcripts sent by applicants will not be accepted. Electronic transcripts can be sent to sociology@miami.edu.
3. When completing the online application, all applicants must provide contact information for three references. Three letters of recommendation will then be solicited online by the University of Miami system.  Letters sent by applicants will not be
4. All applicants should submit a statement of purpose as part of the application.
5. Non-native English speakers should have official TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo scores submitted electronically to the University.  Scores sent by applicants will not be accepted.
6. International Students who attended college/university outside of the US: all graduate applicants who attended a college or university outside of the United States must submit official transcripts and diplomas (if available) from all colleges and universities attended to one of three approved evaluation services listed below. Follow the specific instructions of the selected service to request course-by-course evaluation with degree equivalency and grade point average (GPA) calculation. The evaluation report and supporting documents are required before the Graduate Committee can review the application.  Any documents received by the University will become the property of UM and will not be returned to the applicant or sent to a third party. (see https://www.grad.miami.edu/apply/on-campus-graduate-programs/college-of-arts-and-sciences-international-credentials/college-of-arts-and-sciences-international-credentials.html )

7. In order to receive a thorough review, international students must submit their application, transcripts and TOEFL/IELTS scores by December 15.
8. Those students who complete an M.A. degree in Sociology at the University of Miami must apply to transition into the Ph.D. program.  The Graduate Director will provide instructions concerning this application process.  Students who are transitioning from our M.A. program to our Ph.D. program are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.50 and should submit only two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
9. The application deadline for priority funding (assistantships and fellowships) is January 15th.  Rolling admissions begin on January 16th.  For those who meet the January 15th deadline, admissions and funding decisions will be made by the middle of February and accepted applicants will receive notification shortly thereafter.  Accepted applicants must respond to the offer by April 15th.
10. All incoming doctoral students MUST be physically present in the Coral Gables, FL area by August 15, the start date of the contract for the academic year.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

Graduate Assistantships, Teaching Assistantships, and University Fellowships are offered each academic year (fall and spring semesters). Graduate Assistantships require students to assist individual faculty members with their research, teaching, and other professional responsibilities (15 hours per week). Graduate Assistantships also require students to assist the department in miscellaneous tasks (5 hours per week). Teaching Assistantships are usually awarded following the completion of the M.A. degree and SOC 622 (Teaching Sociology). Teaching Assistantships require students to teach their own undergraduate courses. Teaching Assistants meet periodically with a regular faculty member for supervision and support. University Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School on the basis of nominations by the Graduate Committee. University Fellowships do not entail any formal teaching or research responsibilities for two years. Research Assistantships are also offered periodically. When faculty members have financial resources from grants and research accounts, they may employ graduate students to work on special projects. Regular Graduate Assistantships, Teaching Assistantships, and University Fellowships may be deferred while students are funded under Research Assistantships.

Assistantships and University Fellowships are awarded by the Department on a competitive basis and normally include a tuition scholarship for full-time enrollment (*) and a stipend for living expenses.  For the 2024/2025 academic year, Graduate Assistantships are worth approximately $78,000.  This financial package includes roughly $45,540 for tuition and fees (18 credit hours), health insurance, and a stipend of $31,950 (9 months).  Students who enter with an M.A. degree are normally given 3 years of funding to earn the doctorate; those who enter with a B.A. normally receive 5 years of funding to earn the doctoral degree.  These funding durations are honored unless a student fails to maintain the requisite G.P.A., inadequately performs TA, RA, or GA duties, and/or fails to make timely progress in the program.

Eligible students may wish to apply for a McKnight Doctoral Fellowship prior to submitting their application for admission to the Sociology Graduate Program. Please see the McKnight Fellowship website for more information (https://www.fefonline.org/mdf.html). For additional funding opportunities, please see the Graduate School's web site: https://www.grad.miami.edu/about/costs-fellowships-and-other-funding/fellowships,-financial-aid,-and-other-funding-opportunities/index.html.

*Please note that students who receive funding are required to enroll full-time (i.e., 9 credits per semester prior to reaching candidacy).

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Amie Nielsen, Director of Graduate Studies – 305.284.6158 – nielsen@miami.edu