Social Sciences Fact Sheet (PDF)

Sociology

Sociology at Binghamton University is characterized by its distinctive emphasis on world-historical studies that transgress orthodox departmental boundaries. Our faculty and students come from all world regions, and we provide research supervision for all geographic regions.

We offer promising scholars the opportunity to pursue the critical study of political economy; culture, power, knowledge; and hierarchies of class, race and gender. Inquiry is guided by multiple theoretical approaches and research methodologies, and addresses the relational interplay of the local and the global, as well as of the past and the present. Substantive research interests currently include, but are not limited to: labor, work and world-scale capital accumulation; imperialism, colonialism and diasporic formations; state formation and hegemony; social movements; racial, ethnic and gendered forms of domination; processes and institutions of knowledge production and distribution; world-systems; and alternative paths of technological and economic change and their divergent social and environmental consequences.

Our multiple theoretical perspectives, research strategies and our faculty's expertise on world regions allow students to pursue independent scholarly development rather than standardized training in established specializations. Students are encouraged to develop their own intellectual pursuits and, in consultation with faculty, design their programs of study and select their own areas of scholarly competence. 

Graduate Degrees Offered

• PhD in Sociology

Accelerated Degree: BA in Sociology + MBA (Learn more about Accelerated Degree Programs.)

Application Deadlines

Admission Requirements*

The standards maintained by The Graduate School and individual departments and programs are applied to ensure that applicants admitted to the University are well qualified and trained to study at this institution and have a reasonable expectation of successfully completing a graduate program, and who, with the benefit of graduate education, are most likely to contribute substantially to their academic or professional fields.

To be eligible, you must have and provide:

• A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
• Complete set of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts. At minimum, a 3.0 GPA is required. See details.

All applicants must submit the following:

• Online graduate degree application and application fee
• Transcripts from each college/university you have attended. Undergraduate or master's degree in sociology or anthropology, economics, geography, philosophy or political science desirable for admission.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee. Personal statement should directly address the following:
  
  • The reason(s) for pursuing doctoral work in sociology at Binghamton University
  • The direction(s) the applicant anticipates developing in their work while in the program
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
• Official GRE scores
• Writing sample indicative of the applicant's scholarly promise

And, for international applicants:

• International Student Financial Statement form (PDF)
• Official bank statement/proof of support
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores

*This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to keep it accurate and up-to-date, we recommend you contact the department for program-specific requirements.