Rice Sociology is eager to welcome applications for our Fall 2027 cohort of Ph.D. students! Applications will open on September 1, 2026.
Join us in early fall for an informational Zoom about our graduate program! A sign-up link will be provided in September 2026.
Application Deadline*: December 1, 2026
*Application closes at 10:59 PM CST.
Students applying for admission to our Ph.D. program are asked to submit the following:
1. A completed application form
Apply to Rice University's Sociology Online Application
2. Application fee
The application fee is $85.00 and can be paid through the online graduate application. Applications can be processed and reviewed only after the application fee is received. Rice University will waive application fees for doctoral applicants who are graduates of institutions in Texas and the bordering states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, or who have a permanent address in these states. The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) also grants application fee waivers during the open recruitment cycle each fall; please visit their website for more information on how to apply.
3. Transcripts
Unofficial copies of transcripts must be uploaded electronically to the application system. If an applicant is accepted to our graduate program, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS must be submitted to the department in a sealed envelope sent directly to the Department of Sociology at the following address:
Rice University Sociology Department
6100 Main St.
Kraft Hall MS-28
Houston, TX 77005
We also accept official transcripts sent electronically directly from the granting institution and emailed to soci.grad@rice.edu. We cannot accept electronic transcripts directly from applicants; transcripts must be sent directly from the applicant’s previous institutions.
Any degree that an applicant is currently pursuing (B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S.) must be conferred (completed) before submitting the transcript(s); the admitted student will not be permitted to register for the second semester at Rice without official conferral of the degree and official transcripts on file.
4. GRE/TOEFL
For 2027 admission, the Sociology Ph.D. program is GRE-optional. If you would still like to submit your GRE scores as part of your application, remember that the scores must not be over five (5) years old, and an official copy must be sent to Rice University directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal or photocopies are not acceptable.
Please use the following ETS school codes if submitting official test scores to Rice University:
School code: 6609
Sociology Department code: 2102
Applicants who are foreign nationals and those whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency. This can be shown by any of the following:
- Proof of degree from an accredited U.S. high school, college, or university.
- Proof of completion (or expected completion) of a post-secondary degree from an institution where the official language of instruction is English.
- At least a 90 on the iBT TOEFL or iBT Home Edition.
- At least 7 on the IELTS.
- At least 115 on the Duolingo test of English proficiency.
For all information regarding Rice University's English language proficiency requirements, please click here.
5. Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your scholastic and personal qualities are required. The online application will allow you to enter recommender information, and your recommenders will be emailed a URL for completing an online recommendation. Please ensure your recommenders submit their letters before the December 1st deadline.
6. Writing sample
Applicants are required to submit a sample of their best writing. This might be an undergraduate course paper or a research term paper. The writing sample may be from any discipline. While there is no official limit on the length of writing samples, most submissions are between 10 and 30 pages. Writing samples can be single or double-spaced.
7. Statement of Purpose
In addition to the writing sample, applicants must submit a statement of purpose between 2-4 pages. Please include your career goals, the faculty member(s) you would most like to work with, and why you would be a good fit for our program.
Other Requirements
Rice University's Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) provides comprehensive information on studying in the United States, including visa requirements. Please visit the Office of International Student Services (OISS) website for more information.
Apply Online at Rice University's Sociology Online Application.
The deadline for sending completed applications to the department is 10:59 PM CST on December 1. Rice will send out final admissions decisions no later than April 10.
For inquiries regarding the GRE or TOEFL exams, contact:
Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
609-921-9000
etsinfo@ets.org or www.ets.org
For all other application questions, contact: soci.grad@rice.edu.
Application fee waivers for the Sociology Ph.D. program will be considered on a case-by-case basis upon request.