Fortunately, teaching or research assistantships often form part of the learning experience in exchange for a stipend or a tuition waiver. New graduate students usually begin with courses quite similar in content to their undergraduate courses, although the work is more demanding and sophisticated. Courses and Dissertations. Graduate courses typically focus on basic theoretical issues, a wide range of research methods, and statistics. Many entering PhD students who did not major in sociology as undergraduates will find this work new to them.
Training then shifts to doing sociology and more interactive learning.
Lecture courses give way to seminars as advanced students begin to conduct individual research in developing areas of specialization. At this point, the student is typically ready for some type of qualifying examination for the doctorate. The final PhD requirement, the dissertation, must be an original piece of scholarship. It can take many forms and be relatively brief or very long. The dissertation should make a substantial contribution to existing scientific knowledge.