FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Students

Q: What is your application deadline?
A: The application deadline is December 15th. All materials must be received by this date. Applicants are responsible for making sure that their application materials arrive on time and that their application is complete.

Q: What are the minimum GPA and GRE requirements for admission to your program?
A: There are no minimum requirements or cut-offs. The admissions committee takes all parts of your application into consideration and reviews it as a whole. On average, entering students have GRE scores in the 80th percentile and GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

Q: Do you have a Master’s Program?
A: While we only admit students to our Ph.D. Program, students routinely receive a Master’s degree en route to their Ph.D.

Q: How many years does it take to complete the program?
A: We hope that students will finish their dissertation at the end of the fifth year, though it may take longer depending on the nature of the topic and the research methods employed.

Q: Are there funds avalable outside of the standard funding package available?
A: Both the Rackham Graduate School and the Department of Sociology have funds available for purposes such as travel to a conference or for emergency expenses. Students should first apply to the Rackham Graduate School for funds before applying to the department.

Q: I’m a current student and I have a questions about my benefits- who should I contact?
A: If you are receiving your health care as an employee (such as GSI, GSRA) then you should contact the Benefits Office with your questions. The Benefits Office can be reached at 734-615-2000. If you are receiving your benefits while under a fellowship, you will need to contact MCare directly. MCare customer service can be reached at: 734-913-2211.

Q: I am ready to defend my dissertation. What do I do?
A: You are ready to defend - congratulations! The Department will help you plan your defense. There are just a few simple steps you need to take.

• First, please send an email to the Program Assistant (lsa-soc-student-services@umich.edu) with the date and time of your defense. You will be contacted in a day with an email confirming the room that has been reserved for the occasion.
  
• Next, if you need any special equipment for your defense, such as a conference phone, please reserve it online by going to the Department of Sociology Equipment Request page
  
• The department will send out a couple of emails to the sociology community, announcing your defense. We will also provide a light refreshment at the event (i.e. a plate of cookies). Defenses are open to the public.
  
• Finally, please review Rackham's webpage "Doctoral Requirements & Pre- and Post-Dissertation Defense Meetings" to make sure you are aware of all necessary steps.