Welcome to the UW Department of Sociology! Our graduate program is one of the top 25 in the nation and is highly selective. Graduate students are central to the dynamics of our department. Working alongside faculty, students conduct research, evaluate social theories, and develop transferable teaching and research skills that support their success.
We are excited that you are considering the University of Washington as your next academic home. We offer a PhD program (students who have not previously earned a MA degree in sociology or a closely related field complete a MA degree along the way).
If you have questions, contact our Graduate Program Advisor, Tess McShane at tmcsha@uw.edu
Learn More About Us
We will be holding a VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (see flyer above). REGISTER HERE
Prospective Fall 2026 graduate applicants will have the opportunity to meet over ZOOM with UW Sociology's Graduate Program Coordinator Professor Sarah Quinn, Graduate Program Advisor Tess McShane, and current graduate students. This virtual session will provide an overview of the key elements of our doctoral program as well as answer any program or application related questions.
How to Apply
The initial graduate application process is centralized through the University of Washington Graduate School. The application process for our department opens each year on September 1.
We suggest starting your application early so you can familiarize yourself with the requirements and leave ample time to request test scores and letters of recommendation. You can return to your application as often as needed before submitting. When you are ready to apply...
- Go to the UW Graduate School Application. Create an applicant profile and start a new application.
- Prepare application materials (the GRE is currently not required for our program), request letters of recommendation, and order unofficial transcripts and test scores (when applicable). We strongly encourage applicants to submit their online application a few weeks or more before the December 1 deadline to allow those submitting recommendations ample time to submit their letters.
- Submit your application and pay the application fee. The nonrefundable application fee is $90 (USD) or $75 for Graduate Non-Matriculated applications. IMPORTANT NOTE: Because the initial application process is handled through the UW Graduate School, our department has no authority to offer application fee waivers.
Non-native English speakers must meet additional requirements to serve as a TA at the time of acceptance. These requirements are outlined in the following document:
Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements
Because our department has limited funding options, ALL Non-native English speakers must submit 1) TOEFL iBT speaking score of at least 26 and total score of 92 or higher, or 2) IETLS speaking score of at least 7.0 and a total score of 7.0 or above.
Our program's English Language Proficiency Requirement is stricter than the graduate school requirement. If you are not a native English speaker and you do not submit passing test scores, your application will not move forward.
More information for international students can be found HERE.
Application Evaluation
Applicants should meet or exceed both the UW Graduate School and Departmental requirements. Our graduate faculty reviewers use all application materials to evaluate the following:
(1) Transcripts, GPA and test scores must meet the minimum requirements. A list of requirements can be found HERE.
(2) Fit between the applicant’s research interests and our department strengths We encourage you to explore our website, including departmental research strengths and faculty specializations, to learn more about our program and determine whether it would be a good fit for you. We admit students for whom our faculty can provide informed and thoughtful mentorship across a wide variety of research areas.
(3) Applicants' contribution to creating a PhD program that includes students with a variety of personal experiences (including applicants who have encountered special challenges in pursuing their education and faced cultural and structural barriers.)
Funding
UW Sociology guarantees support for all admitted students during their first five years of the program. This funding is provided through Teaching Assistantships and includes a tuition waiver, benefits, and a stipend to help with living expenses. Students request TA positions on a quarterly basis; some also receive Fellowships or Research Assistantships (either in Sociology or other departments) which cover their funding at various points throughout their time at UW. Teaching Assistants are represented by UAW Local 4121.
Our students also have a strong record of winning grants in support of their research. This includes awards from UW Research Centers like Bridges Center for Labor Studies, the West Coast Poverty Center, and external sources like the National Science Foundation and the American Sociology Association. The department also often provides Travel and Research Support.
Funding beyond the fifth year is not guaranteed.
Deadline
The application deadline for each admissions cycle is December 1. Please contact Tess McShane at tmcsha@uw.edu with any specific questions.
Timeline
The admissions committee begins to review applications in January, with decisions expected in February and March. All decisions will be finalized by April 15th.