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Area Exams

Area exams provide you the opportunity to develop a broad expertise in two subfields of sociology. To pass the exams, you must demonstrate the knowledge necessary for a literature review in their chosen subfields, but also mastery of an independent voice within those subfields. 

Upon completion of your exams, you should be able to: 

  • Interact with professional peers on the basis of shared knowledge and understanding
  • Teach in the field and organize a syllabus
  • Develop original research questions that contribute to the field

Exam Guidelines

See Appendix Two of the The Sociology Graduate Guide

.5 Area Exam Guidelines

Current Area Exam Committees

Culture

  • Terry McDonnell (Chair)
  • Daniel Tadmon
  • Ann Mische

Education

  • Mark Berends (Chair)
  • Catherine Riegle-Crumb
    Amy Langenkamp

Gender

  • Abi Ocobock (Chair)
  • Elizabeth McClintock
    Catherine Riegle-Crumb

Immigration/Migration

  • Steven Alvarado (Chair)
  • Dana Moss
    Amy Langenkamp

Organizations

  • Erin McDonnell (Chair)
  • David Gibson
  • Tim Hallett

Political Sociology

  • Rory McVeigh (Chair)
  • Dana Moss
  • Erin McDonnell

Race-Ethnicity

  • Anna Haskins (Chair)
  • Steven Alvarado
    Muna Adem

Religion

  • David Sikkink (Chair)
  • Kraig Beyerlein
    Erika Summers-Effler

Social Movements

  • Dana Moss (Chair)
  • Rory McVeigh
  • Kraig Beyerlein

Stratification

  • David Hachen (Chair)
  • Steven Alvarado
  • Bill Carbonaro

Theory

  • Erika Summers-Effler (Chair)
  • David Gibson
    Tim Hallett

Area Exam Dates

October 27-31, 2025

Area Specific Guidelines