Sociology at The George Washington University

Graduate Program

For the student wishing to pursue graduate studies in sociology, The George Washington University provides a distinctive set of experiences, skills, and opportunities. The graduate program in sociology at GW provide a solid grounding in sociological theory and research methods. The training provided by a talented and experienced faculty serves as excellent preparation either for further graduate work or for immediate employment in social research and related types of jobs.

Washington, DC is an exciting city that enriches the lives of GW students in multiple ways. The city offers a rich social laboratory in which students can acquire and develop new skills in sociological observation and analysis. The wide array of government agencies, lobbying organizations, and think tanks headquartered in Washington provides a range of internships and jobs in which students can apply their newly acquired sociological skills. Graduates of our MA program are in high demand, and many find long-term jobs in agencies and firms in which they interned or were employed during their student days.

Graduate Student Sarah Smith confers with Professor Daina Eglitis

Graduate class in the Department of Sociology.

The Sociology Department offers several options for graduate education. The Department itself offers an MA in Sociology. Joint with the Forensics Department, the Sociology Department also offers the opportunity for students to pursue an MA in Criminology. In addition, through the Institute of Public Policy, students can pursue a PhD in Race, Ethnicity, and Public Policy . Many of the courses offered in this latter track of study are housed within the Sociology Department, and the main field advisors for the PhD program in Race, Ethnicity, and Public Policy are Sociology professors.

The Department of Sociology awards teaching assistantships on a competitive basis for students pursuing the MA in Sociology. Research assistantships are available on individual faculty members' grants. Applicants who want to be considered for teaching or research assistantships must submit their applications to the Columbian College prior to February 1. For more information about applying to the graduate programs offered by the Sociology Department or affiliated with the Department, visit http://www.gwu.edu/~gradinfo.

For a list of Sociology Faculty office hours, click here.

Graduate student Katie Meade grading papers.

Graduate Students April Woolnough and Jeffrey Lubbers.