Pre-Admissions FAQ

• Does the department offer a Master's degree program?
  We do not offer a terminal Master’s degree program, but students are able to obtain their Master’s degree on the way to obtaining their PhD in Sociology upon the successful completion and presentation of their Qualifying Paper. Students must complete all of the Master of Arts in Sociology Degree requirements and pay all required fees for degree processing."
• Where can students access the online application?
  Applications are submitted electronically through the Office of Admissions.
• Are application fee waivers offered?
  No. The Department is not able to waive application fees. Typically, the Graduate School does not offer graduate application fee waivers either. However, there are three scenarios that qualified students can use for fee waivers. Please review the Application Fee Waiver page to see if you qualify.
• How many students apply to the program? How many are admitted?
  We typically receive 65-75 applications in any give year. The quality of the applicant pool determines the number of students we admit.
• What are you looking for in a student?
  We are looking for students with strong analytic, critical thinking, and writing skills. Not all of our admitted students have undergraduate degrees in Sociology, but most have some background in social sciences. We are also looking for students with interests that strongly match our faculty expertise. We recommend applicants identify at least 1-2 faculty with whom they would like to work if admitted.
• Is financial aid available?
  We currently offer all admitted students 5-year funding packages, unless they bring their own funding through their home governments or external fellowships. Within those five years, students receive Graduate Assistantship offers in Fall and Spring semesters, which consist of bi-weekly stipends, a 9-credit tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits which continue through the summer (assuming that the student accepts and holds a spring assistantship). Funding offers are guaranteed as long as the student remains in good standing. For more information surrounding financial assistance, you may refer to the MSU Office of Financial Aid  website.
• Where can I find information about housing?
  You can find information about on-campus graduate dorms and university apartments at www.liveon.msu.edu.
• If I want to pursue a PhD program in Sociology, do I need a master's degree first?
  No. A Master's degree is not required.
• Can I study part-time?
  No. The sociology PhD program is an extremely intense program requiring a large time investment.
• Can coursework be completed online?
  We do not offer an online program. All PhD level Sociology courses (SOC) are taught in classroom settings.
• Do we accept applications for Spring Semester?

  No, we only accept applications in Fall Semesters. Admitted cohorts begin in the Fall Semester (August) of the following academic year.

• How long does it generally take to complete the program?
  The program is designed to be completed in five to six years to give students the best chance at authoring scholarly publications prior to the job market. Students completing extensive fieldwork or international work for their dissertations may take seven years but will need to obtain external funding.
• What types of jobs do your graduates receive?
  We train students primarily for research and teaching careers. A large proportion of our students secure positions in colleges or universities, although a growing number enter careers in government, policy analysis, and other industry positions. Follow this link to see our recent placements.
• I earned my undergraduate degree at MSU. Do you need those transcripts?
  Yes, we need official transcripts for all degrees listed on your application. You may submit an MSU Transcript Request to the Registrar's Office. Please note that requests are typically processed within 1-3 business days.
• I attended more than one college or university. How is my overall undergraduate GPA calculated?
  All credits and quality points earned throughout your undergraduate studies are combined to determine your overall undergraduate GPA.
• Where can I find information about tuition rates?
  Visit the MSU Office of Financial Aid for information about financial aid as well as a link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

FAQs for International Students

• How can I find more information for international students?

  Many questions regarding international programs at MSU can be found at http://www.oiss.isp.msu.edu/, the Office for International Students and Scholars

  The Graduate School also has information on applying to Graduate School.

  Admissions also has an international students page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/international.

• If I have a degree from a U.S. University, am I required to take the TOEFL test?
  It depends. If an applicant earns a Bachelor's degree in the U.S. (or another country where English is the first language), they will qualify for an automatic waiver. If an applicant earns a Master's degree at an AAU Institution on a U.S. campus, they will also qualify for an automatic waiver. All others will not qualify for an English Language Competency score waiver and will need to provide test scores. For more information, see the Graduate School's website on English Language Competency.
• Do you accept the IELTS language test for admission to the Department of Sociology?
  Yes. A TOEFL or IELTS is accepted.
• What if my TOEFL scores are below the required score of 80 or any of the individual scores are below the requirement? Can I be admitted into the program?
  No. Not typically and not without special conditions.
• If admitted, will I be required to take an English test when I arrive at MSU?
  Yes. This is standard university procedure.