How to Apply -

The Department of Sociology application deadline for enrollment in Fall 2024 is December 12, 2023. All supporting documents should be in by this deadline. Please note that students are admitted only for the fall term.

In preparation for your application, please review the faculty’s areas of interest and consider contacting faculty members you might be interested in working with.

All applicants for admission to graduate study are required to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE – University Code 5816). Test Scores Information

Applicants from non-English-speaking countries also must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they have a degree from a university in the US or those from countries where English is the SOLE OFFICIAL language of instruction (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada-except Québec, England, Ghana, Ireland, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales). The subject test is not required.

Application Process:

Online applications are available at the Graduate School Webpage

All below required material should be submitted online with your application:

Transcript(s)
GRE – The Department of Sociology and the UNC Graduate School accepts GRE test results through the GRE General Test at Home. In response to public health concerns, the GRE can be taken on your computer at home and monitored by a human proctor through ProctorU^®. To learn more about the GRE General Test at Home, visit this page.
Statement of Purpose: Please provide a statement of purpose that describes your reasons for seeking a PhD in Sociology at UNC, your major intellectual interests and career goals, the sort of research and scholarship you hope to pursue, and life experiences that have prepared you for graduate study in Sociology. The statement should not be more than three pages (single-spaced) long.
Writing sample – Please provide a sole-authored article-length manuscript that demonstrates your ability to synthesize academic literatures, construct arguments, and evaluate evidence. We prefer an academic paper, research report, or thesis in Sociology or a related field. If you do not have an academic paper to submit, you may submit another substantial piece of professional writing. You may also submit a one or two supplementary writing samples, which may be co-authored.
Three (3) letters of recommendation
Resume (optional) – You may provide an optional resume that summarizes your education and professional experience.

International Applicants

TOEFL or IELTS – All international applicants must submit acceptable, official (reported directly from ETS.org) TOEFL scores or IELTS (reported directly from IELTS.org).

Please contact the Graduate Student Services Manager at (919) 962-1528 if you have any questions.