best phd sociology programs

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Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025

We rank the best online PhD in sociology degree programs.

Key Takeaways

• Sociology PhD programs can lead to research, leadership, and post-secondary education opportunities.
• The best online sociology doctorates are institutionally and programmatically accredited.
• An online sociology PhD program can help you balance professional responsibilities alongside your graduate studies.

Top Online Sociology PhD Programs in 2025

University of michigan, johns hopkins university, louisiana state university, colorado state university, walden university, 2025 ranking update.

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, all of the schools in our ranking of the best online sociology PhD degree programs remained in their previous positions. This was due to all of the schools making similar levels of improvement to their academic and student service offerings.

Featured Programs

The best online sociology doctorates (phds).

The online PhD programs identified here are ranked based on influence, with weighting for graduation rate and full-time online enrollment. While only a limited number of colleges and universities offer a fully online doctorate program in sociology, a number of top-ranked graduate schools offer fully online degrees in related areas.

Many students pursue careers in sociology after earning concentrated degrees in areas like public policy development, public administration, educational leadership, public health administration, and more.

Last Year’s Ranking:

Tuition + fees

Student body

Median SAT/ACT

University of Michigan’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Engineering
• Anthropology
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

• Claude Shannon
• Arthur Miller
• Alvin Plantinga
• George Dantzig
• Edgar F. Codd
• Hans-Hermann Hoppe
• Stephen Smale
• Urie Bronfenbrenner
• John Henry Holland
• Amos Tversky
• Marshall Sahlins

What do we love about the University of Michigan?

University of Michigan was founded in 1817, which is actually about 20 years before the territory of Michigan became a state. Roughly half of the students at the University of Michigan are from the state of Michigan, which means they enjoy discounted state tuition rates.

The University of Michigan draws students from all over the world. International students make up about 15% of the school’s population.

University of Michigan offers several online PhD concentrations geared toward sociology graduates. Several are housed in its Educational Studies PhD including concentrations in Educational Foundations and Policy and Literacy, Language, and Culture .

Enjoy a vaunted athletics program and a large student body—roughly 32,000 undergrads and 16,000 grad students.

Prefer a small campus. The Ann Arbor campus is so large that it is divided into four distinct campus sections, all connected by bus service.

Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• G. Stanley Hall
• John Archibald Wheeler
• Thorstein Veblen
• John Mauchly
• Thomas Hunt Morgan
• Gertrude Stein
• Rachel Carson
• Joseph Jastrow
• Robert Fogel
• Richard E. Bellman
• John R. Commons

What do we love about Johns Hopkins University?

Johns Hopkins University was formed in 1876 and, in addition to being the oldest research university in the U.S., Johns Hopkins is actually the oldest research institution in the western hemisphere! In fact, Johns Hopkins was considered a groundbreaking institution from its very formation for its innovative merging of research and teaching.

Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins serves more than 26,000 students today.

Johns Hopkins University offers a number of online doctoral degree programs, including any array of Doctorate of Public Health degrees with concentrations in sociology. Among them, doctoral candidates can conduct research in focused areas such as Environmental Health (Environmental Health or Health Security Track), Health Equity and Social Justice, and Global Health: Policy & Evaluation.

Are looking to conduct research at the graduate level. The vast majority of Johns Hopkins students—well over 20,000—are pursuing advanced postgraduate degrees.

Are seeking a social campus experience. Many students at Johns Hopkins are primarily focused on the rigorous academic experience.

Louisiana State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Earth Sciences
• Communications
• Michael I. Jordan
• James Carville
• Cleanth Brooks
• Joseph E. LeDoux
• Donna Brazile
• Hubert Humphrey
• J. Lawton Collins
• Claire Lee Chennault
• Nic Pizzolatto
• Stephan Kinsella
• Jim A. Kuypers

What do we love about Louisiana State University?

Louisiana State University is a public research university based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded in 1860, LSU is both the flagship institution in the state university system and the largest school in the state of Louisiana.

With an estimated 36,000 students pursuing degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Louisiana State University offers more than 230 degree programs across 11 academic colleges.

LSU offers an online doctorate of education in leadership studies with several concentrations related to the practice of sociology including its Leadership Studies concentration and its Health Communication & Leadership concentration.

Are seeking a diverse student body. With students from all 50 states and more than 100 nations, LSU offers the opportunity to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Are seeking a small, liberal arts college experience. LSU is a large, comprehensive university with numerous educational, athletic, and recreational opportunities to choose from.

Colorado State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Jean Bethke Elshtain
• Steve Hanke
• Yusef Komunyakaa
• Elaine Ingham
• Mark Mattson
• Rebecca Skloot
• Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf
• William Tietz
• James van Hoften
• Jenna Ellis
• Martin J. Fettman
• Anwar al-Awlaki

What do we love about Colorado State University?

Colorado State University was formed in 1870 as the flagship institution in what would become the Colorado state school system. The Fort Collins-based public research university is noted today for including the biomedical sciences, engineering, environmental science, and more.

Colorado State University was formed as a small agricultural school in the years leading up to Colorado’s 1876 statehood. Today, Colorado State serves more than 34,000 students.

Colorado State University offers a small selection of online PhD programs, including a PhD in Higher Education Leadership . For sociology students, this advanced degree offers an opportunity to apply social theory and research to issues such as inclusiveness and admissions equality on the higher education landscape.

Are pursuing careers in healthcare. Colorado State ranks high for spending on its various medical sciences programs.

Are seeking a small campus experience.

What do we love about Walden University?

Walden University is a private online school with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Walden operates on a for-profit business model.

Walden University was established in 1970 with the goal of helping working adults—specifically those in education—earn their doctoral degree. Today, Walden serves nearly 50,000 students in countless areas of study.

Walden University offers two online doctoral programs of interest to sociology students. Both its Doctor of Public Administration and its PhD in Public Policy and Administration can offer inroads into sociology research, policy consultation, or postsecondary education.

Are studying nursing, public health, and healthcare administration. Walden is one of the nation’s top degree providers in these fields.

Plan to earn PhDs in psychology. Walden’s PhDs do not have accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

Other Options for Aspiring Sociologists

Students considering an online doctoral in sociology should also check out the best on-campus options to compare features like cost, curriculum, acceptance rate, and more.

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Daniel Kahneman
• John Kenneth Galbraith
• Timothy Leary
• Shing-Tung Yau
• Ken Thompson
• Niklaus Wirth
• Douglas Engelbart
• Theodosius Dobzhansky
• Betty Friedan
• Octavio Paz
• Gary Snyder

New York University

New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Erich Fromm
• Robert Mueller
• Martha Nussbaum
• Glenn Greenwald
• Howard Zinn
• Eric Kandel
• Lewis Mumford
• Alvin Toffler
• Louis Nirenberg

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Hilary Putnam
• Elinor Ostrom
• Judea Pearl
• Glenn T. Seaborg
• Barry Boehm
• Stanley Cavell
• William F. Sharpe
• John Ehrlichman
• Stephen Krashen
• Edward O. Thorp
• Stephen Kosslyn

University of Wisconsin–Madison

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Carl Rogers
• Edward Witten
• John Bardeen
• Charles Lindbergh
• Abraham Maslow
• Joshua Lederberg
• Warren Weaver
• C. Wright Mills
• Jayaprakash Narayan

Only a select number of universities offer a fully online doctoral of sociology program. In most cases, online doctoral studies in areas like educational leadership, public policy, and health policy will offer sociology program concentrations. These programs are the focus of this ranking.

This sociology doctoral program is considered a terminal degree, which means it is the highest degree that you can earn in the field. Online doctoral level sociology programs typically prepare students for opportunities for leadership, public consultation, research, and post-secondary education.

Online PhD in sociology candidates are typically already working at a high level in their field. This means that students seeking their doctorate must balance existing work and personal responsibilities with a challenging course of education.

For many graduate students, online courses and fully online programs provide a way to achieve this balance.

For a look at how these online doctoral programs stack up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees.

Or find out what your options are with a look at our College Rankings Guide .

Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can earn an online PhD in sociology or a related subject through a top-ranked online doctorate program.

About Accredited Online Sociology PhD Programs

Quality and credibility are important when it comes to finding an online PhD in sociology program. The best online doctorate programs will have proper accreditation:

• Institutional Accreditation : Accreditation is vital for online doctoral programs. It signifies that the online PhD programs offered by the graduate school are in compliance with the standards of a Department of Education-approved accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online doctorate candidates.

When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.

• Programmatic Accreditation : In addition to institutional accreditation, consider online doctorate degree programs with programmatic accreditation. Employers and other industry professionals may look for this specialized accreditation to determine the credibility of your degree. Sociology degrees may be accredited by The Commission on the Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology (CAPACS) or the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology.
• Carnegie Classification : The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, or as it is more commonly known, the Carnegie Classification, is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”

Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online Phd programs.

Key Point: The best online doctoral programs will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.

Sociology PhD Program Admission Requirements

Schools that offer online doctorate programs have different admission requirements. However, most online doctoral programs will carry the same basic threshold for admission:

• A completed online application
• Official undergraduate college transcripts
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores), MAT scores, or GMAT scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews
• Personal statement or essay
• Plan of study

Key Point: In most cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well.

Sociology Program Curriculum and Courses

Research is the central component of your online sociology PhD program. This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses. Regardless of whether you complete traditional, hybrid or online graduate study, the typical time to completion is three to five years.

The typical components of your PhD degree in sociology online program may include:

Foundational Courses

Most students will begin their program in sociology with core courses in areas like sociological theory, political science, social inequality, and more. Doctorate program students will also complete sociology courses in a chosen concentration such as economic sociology, environmental sociology, political sociology, urban sociology, and more.

Moreover, most doctoral studies in sociology will incorporate advanced research methods courses as well as instruction in experimental design. You may be able to complete many of these requirements through online classes.

Examinations for PhD Candidacy

Many online doctoral students are required to complete certain examinations to enter into online PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after you’ve completed one to two years of foundational courses.

Dissertation

In most cases, the central component of your online PhD program will be the completion of your dissertation. After gaining status as an online PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question. This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. Students develop research methodologies while working closely with an advisor or mentor. Much of your dissertation will be rooted in independent research. This is especially true for students pursuing an online PhD.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some online PhD programs will also include a teaching practicum, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in the sociology department of your university. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Research Apprenticeship

Some program in sociology degrees will require students to work closely with faculty members in a mentor-apprenticeship capacity. Other programs may require participation in specific research seminars.

Key Point: The online PhD is a research-focused degree. Your dissertation will be a central part of your online doctoral degree program.

Careers for Students Who Complete Online Doctoral Degree Programs in Sociology

Accredited online sociology doctorates are generally terminal degree programs. This means that students who complete credible online doctoral degrees in sociology or a related field like public policy or educational leadership will generally be eligible for top positions and opportunities in their field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the top 10% of sociologists work in areas like research, development, and policy implementation, and earned more than $136,000 in 2021.

Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate in sociology or a related area may be eligible to work in the following areas.

• Survey Research
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Post-Secondary Education
• Public Policy Consultation
• Public Services Leadership

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a doctorate in sociology or a related subject will be eligible to work in research, post-secondary education, and policy development.

What’s the difference between online doctoral programs and online Ph.D programs?

Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all online PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.

The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.

By contrast, online PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that online PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.

Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online Phd programs.

Find out more with a look at our Guide to Online Degrees .

Doctor of Sociology Programs in America

1-25 of 121 results

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

• Stanford, CA ·
• Stanford University ·
• Graduate School

Stanford University, Graduate School, STANFORD, CA.

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• New Haven, CT ·
• Yale University ·
• · Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Yale University, Graduate School, NEW HAVEN, CT. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars. Featured Review: Doctoral Student says Well, my academic experience at Yale university remaining very well. My research at Yale and multicultural environment impress me very well Read 4 reviews.

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

• Cambridge, MA ·
• Harvard University ·
• · Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Harvard University, Graduate School, CAMBRIDGE, MA. 9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars. Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... Read 9 reviews.

Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

• University of Pittsburgh ·
• Graduate School ·
• PITTSBURGH, PA

University of Pittsburgh

• · Rating 4.45 out of 5   83

The New School for Social Research

• The New School ·
• NEW YORK, NY
• · Rating 2.5 out of 5   2

Princeton University

• Princeton, NJ ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   4 reviews

Graduate School, PRINCETON, NJ. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help... Read 4 reviews.

The Graduate School at Duke

• Durham, NC ·
• Duke University ·
• · Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Duke University, Graduate School, DURHAM, NC. 5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. Featured Review: Current Master's student says The program is the best in the nation. It is the origin of the profession and it has helped developed it to what it is today. They seem to ver much involve alumni and are involved in your future. Read 5 reviews.

Brown University Graduate School

• Providence, RI ·
• Brown University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   4 reviews

Brown University, Graduate School, PROVIDENCE, RI. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says This is my first semester in the biotechnology program. The program manager is helpful and commutative. I have found a great lab match for my research interests. My classes are interesting. I have... Read 4 reviews.

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School of Arts & Sciences - University of Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA ·
• University of Pennsylvania ·

University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Rice School of Social Sciences

• Houston, TX ·
• Rice University ·

Blue checkmark. Rice University, Graduate School, HOUSTON, TX.

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

• Evanston, IL ·
• Northwestern University ·

Northwestern University, Graduate School, EVANSTON, IL.

College of Arts and Science

• Nashville, TN ·
• Vanderbilt University ·

Vanderbilt University, Graduate School, NASHVILLE, TN.

College of Arts and Letters - University of Notre Dame

• Notre Dame, IN ·
• University of Notre Dame ·
• · Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

University of Notre Dame, Graduate School, NOTRE DAME, IN. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research... Read 2 reviews.

Social Sciences Division - University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL ·
• University of Chicago ·
• · Rating 3.75 out of 5   4 reviews

University of Chicago, Graduate School, CHICAGO, IL. 4 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my... Read 4 reviews.

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Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• University of Southern California ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   2 reviews

University of Southern California, Graduate School, LOS ANGELES, CA. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars. Read 2 reviews.

Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences

• Ithaca, NY ·
• Cornell University ·

Cornell University, Graduate School, ITHACA, NY.

Rackham School of Graduate Studies

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ·
• · Rating 4.86 out of 5   7 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Graduate School, ANN ARBOR, MI. 7 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The Landscape Architecture program at UMich School for Environment and Sustainability is rooted in advancing sustainable design and ecological function, rather than pure aesthetics. We have some... Read 7 reviews.

UCLA College of Letters and Science

• University of California - Los Angeles ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles, Graduate School, LOS ANGELES, CA. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars. Read 1 reviews.

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

• Baltimore, MD ·
• Johns Hopkins University ·
• · Rating 4.52 out of 5   21 reviews

Johns Hopkins University, Graduate School, BALTIMORE, MD. 21 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says Starting this fall, my graduate journey is set to begin on an exciting note. I’ve already connected with two professors who have proven to be incredibly supportive and kind. I can't wait to dive into... Read 21 reviews.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia

• Charlottesville, VA ·
• University of Virginia ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

University of Virginia, Graduate School, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars. Featured Review: Alum says Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study Read 1 reviews.

Laney Graduate School

• Atlanta, GA ·
• Emory University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Emory University, Graduate School, ATLANTA, GA. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says I chose the graduate programs at Emory because they are ranked among the best in the country. The school of nursing also provides the clinical experiences, something many of the online only nurse... Read 2 reviews.

UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science

• Berkeley, CA ·
• University of California - Berkeley ·

Blue checkmark. University of California - Berkeley, Graduate School, BERKELEY, CA.

College of Arts & Sciences - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Chapel Hill, NC ·
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ·

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graduate School, CHAPEL HILL, NC.

College of Social Sciences & Humanities - Northeastern University

• Boston, MA ·
• Northeastern University ·
• · Rating 1 out of 5   2 reviews

Northeastern University, Graduate School, BOSTON, MA. 2 Niche users give it an average review of 1 stars. Read 2 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

• New York, NY ·
• New York University ·
• · Rating 4.73 out of 5   11 reviews

Blue checkmark. New York University, Graduate School, NEW YORK, NY. 11 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says This program is well-organized and structured. A lot of resources that you can take advantage of from the school. Only if you know what you need and what you are looking for specifically. The major... Read 11 reviews.

Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences

• Chestnut Hill, MA ·
• Boston College ·

Blue checkmark. Boston College, Graduate School, CHESTNUT HILL, MA.

College of Liberal Arts - University of Texas - Austin

• Austin, TX ·
• University of Texas - Austin ·

University of Texas - Austin, Graduate School, AUSTIN, TX.

Showing results 1 through 25 of 121

As one of the world’s top sociology departments, Berkeley faculty and graduate students produce agenda-setting research while Berkeley undergraduate students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become critical leaders in a complex society.

Berkeley’s Sociology Department is known around the world for its excellence in research and teaching. Our faculty advance cutting edge research and teach in most sociological specialities. Our PhDs are leaders in universities and research centers across the US and in many other countries. And our BAs populate the ranks of innumerable professions, bringing with them the skills and special perspective of Berkeley sociology.  

We are proud to make these contributions from the world’s leading public university. At Berkeley, we combine intellectual rigor with a commitment to public service through our research, teaching, and service on campus and beyond. 

For the past six decades, Berkeley’s Sociology Department has consistently been ranked among the world’s top sociology departments. Our graduate program is ranked #1 in the latest U.S. News and World Report , and our undergrad degree is currently the best in the US according to College Factual and features on Grad Reports’ Best College List 2020 .

News & Events

Prof. Einstein served graduate students as a model of prudence in remaining unfashionably true to the grand…

Conversations with Bourdieu

Departmental colloquium series, antonio casilli, "how artificial intelligence fosters global inequalities: a four-country study on data work ".

Wednesday December 11th, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Blumer Room - 402 Social Sciences Building & Via Zoom

While public debate focuses on how AI might affect human labor, this talk reverses the perspective by examining how human labor shapes AI. Recent evidence shows that data-intensive machine learning systems rely heavily on a concealed workforce. Behind voice assistants, self-driving cars, and facial recognition tools are millions of underpaid and unrecognized data workers performing crucial tasks like image labeling, information sorting, and audio transcription. While awareness of precarious working conditions in this sector is growing in the North America, much of this work is outsourced to countries of the Majority World, where informal economy is thriving and highly educated workers face less-regulated labor markets. Drawing on research conducted by the DiPLab team across Venezuela, Madagascar, Brazil, and France, this presentation reveals how historical global inequalities and dependencies are being reproduced through international digital labor and data supply chains. Through mixed-methods analysis and primary data, we examine the working conditions and socio-demographic profiles of data workers across these four countries, spanning low- to high-income economies.

Doctoral Degree Programs

The PhD program in the Department of Sociology at Stanford offers rigorous training in sociological knowledge and research methods, and prepares students to embark on successful professional careers in sociology.  Our program prides itself on world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge research programs, and close interactions between faculty and students.

Through coursework, workshops, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships, students work closely with faculty members to develop research skills and experience and gain expertise in the substantive areas of sociology.  In collaboration with Stanford Law School, as well as other research programs on campus, we offer a JD/PhD joint degree and a multidisciplinary environment for students to pursue their intellectual interests in different areas.

Finalists for the Knight Hennessy scholarships work with Stanford lecturers. Photo credit: Linda A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars  develops a community of future global leaders to address complex challenges through collaboration and innovation. Each year, up to 100 students are awarded with funding to pursue any graduate degree at Stanford and participate in an experiential leadership development program that emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Citizens of any country may apply. Visit  khs.stanford.edu  to learn more.