A.  U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens
U.S. citizens and resident aliens may apply using either the self-managed application process or the online application process.  Those seeking admission should complete their application by the February 15 submission deadline.

1.  Self-Managed Application

With the self-managed application process, prospective students take responsibility for gathering all admission materials and submitting these materials before the February 15 deadline.  Instructions for completing the Graduate Self-Managed Application and submitting required materials are detailed on the application form.  Admissions information may be requested through the Office of Admissions.  Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for assistance in the admissions process.

2.  Online Application

Prospective students can also complete the application form online.  This online feature provides instructions for completing the application and submitting required materials. Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for special assistance in the admissions process.

B.  International Students
Graduate applications for international students are processed by the Office of International Services and Student Affairs within the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and then passed along to the Department of Sociology for the admission decision.  Staff in the Office of International Services and Student Affairs can provide assistance with the application process (oiss-info@wmich.edu or 269-387-5866).  Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for special assistance in the admissions process.  International students may apply using either the self-managed application process or the online application process.  Those seeking admission should complete their application by the February 15 submission deadline.

C.  Admission Requirements
For admission to the doctoral program in sociology, prospective students must satisfy all of the requirements below:

• Master’s degree in sociology or a closely related field (applicants with degrees in fields other than sociology may be required to make up deficiencies as a condition of matriculation)
• Grade-point average of 3.25 or better in all graduate courses. Grade point average of 3.0 or better in undergraduate sociology courses.

Complete applications must include all of the following departmental requirements by February 15:

• Biographical statement (2-3 pages on one’s background, intellectual interests, and professional goals related to the study of sociology), sample of original academic writing, GRE scores, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended, TOEFL scores (international applicants only) and three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources

No single requirement is sufficient to guarantee an offer of admission or to dictate a denial of admission. The information submitted by each applicant is carefully evaluated by the Central Graduate Committee to ascertain whether the applicant is likely to succeed in graduate studies in sociology and has intellectual interests that may be cultivated by the areas of strength in the department.