Sociology, Ph.D.

(PSOCL)

The departmental-level academic course plan for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements for graduate committees are satisfied.

The degree requires a doctoral dissertation. Fifty-four (54) hours of credit at the graduate level must be earned including a maximum of nine hours of credit for the dissertation to count toward graduation. The curricular requirements include:

• At least 33 hours at the 7000 level or above, exclusive of any type of independent studies credit.
• A minimum core requirement of 21 credit hours in sociological theory, methods, and statistics.

The student must pass a general examination following completion of required course work consisting of written and oral assessments. The student then defends a dissertation prospectus and must pass a final examination upon completion of his/her PhD dissertation. The final examination is a culmination of graduate study and consists of an oral defense of the dissertation.