Dear Prospective Graduate Student: 

Thank you for your interest in the graduate program in Sociology at the University of Kentucky.  We have an excellent Department composed of twenty-five graduate faculty--of which 17 teach on a regular basis, and approximately fifty graduate students in residence.  The Department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, preparing our graduates for a variety of career options in academic and applied settings.  For information about graduate program specializations, research opportunities and support, and teaching development opportunities, please review the “Graduate Training in Sociology” link on this website. 

New students are admitted for the fall semester.  For those requesting  Departmental funding as teaching or research assistants or competing for university-wide fellowships, applications must be received by January 15 for the upcoming fall semester.  Admission and funding decisions are announced by March 15.  GRE scores are required for admission.  A combined score of 1500 on the three components of the GRE (multiply the score on the analytical exam component by 100) is expected.  International students must take the TOEFL examination, with a minimum score of  550 (213 on  the computer-based test) required by the Graduate School.  These examinations need to be taken in advance of the January 15 application deadline. 

Prospective students who do not have the M.A. degree are first admitted to the M.A. program, with later admission to the Ph.D. program contingent on successful completion of the M.A. and upon recommendation of their M.A. advisory committee chair.  Students who possess the M.A. in Sociology or a closely related social science discipline from the University of Kentucky or another institution should apply to the Ph.D. program.  Please be sure to indicate which degree program you are applying for in your application.  Degree requirements are detailed in the “Current Students, Reference Guide for Students” link on the program webpage.   

Financial assistance is available in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and university fellowships.  The number of assistantships available to students varies from year to year.

Forms for fellowships and assistantships and letters of recommendation are available on this website and should be sent directly to me in the Department of Sociology (Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0027).  Instructions regarding other application materials are found on the “Materials Required for Application” link.  Please note that some application materials (i.e., the Graduate School application form, transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores, and application fee payment) are sent directly to the Graduate School. 

Please let me know if additional information is needed about the program, university, the Lexington community and/or the application process.  I am glad to arrange a campus visit upon request.  I can be contacted via e-mail at ktanaka@uky.edu or by phone at (859) 257-6878. 

Sincerely,  
Keiko Tanaka 
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies