Welcome to the Graduate Field of Development Sociology! Although it is housed in the Department of Development Sociology the Graduate Field of Development Sociology, like other graduate fields at Cornell, is independent of the department, giving it the flexibility to draw its graduate faculty from several departments. The Field offers two degree tracks: the MS/PhD and the PhD, and does not accept students into a terminal MS degree program.
Development sociology is a broad specialty rooted in the core of the discipline of sociology, and sensitive to emerging issues and questions about development. One of the challenges that confront researchers is the social impact of global and corporate integration. Issues that arise include the transformation of work and livelihood patterns; shrinking public resources; rural depopulation and repopulation trends; public health issues, including diet; privatization of services and rights; environmental degradation; rising political, environmental and economic refugees; fragmentation of communities, cultures, and social solidarities. If you are attracted to research in these areas, consider obtaining a graduate degree from the Graduate Field of Development Sociology.
About the Program
Our graduate program offers a unique programmatic focus on social change. Rooted substantively in classical sociological theory, we examine a wide range of issues concerning processes and practices of social transformation both domestically and internationally.
These include:
- changes in labor markets
- governance
- community and civic organization
- food production and distribution
- migration
- population patterns
- environmental dynamics
Faculty interests are distributed across the local and global dimensions of these issues employing diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives including:
- multi-variate analysis
- political economy
- environmental sociology
- feminist theory
- historical sociology
- post-structuralism
- social movement theory
- demographic techniques
Combining theory with rigorous empirical research, faculty and graduate students in the Graduate Field of Development Sociology critically examine the discourse, practice and promise of development, from the advent of capitalist modernity to the current era of globalization.
To view the Graduate School Calendar of events and deadlines, please click here.
- Number of students in the graduate program: about 45
- Backgrounds of students now in the graduate program: varies widely, including journalism, natural resources, environmental studies, and sociology; most have been in the work force or the Peace Corps for a few years; prior study in sociology is not necessary
- Place of origin of students: half of students are from outside the United States, including Azerbaijan, Korea, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Japan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Canada, Indonesia, Uganda, Gambia, Italy, Sierra Leone and Malaysia
- Standardized test required for admission: the GRE is required, although your GRE score is only one of many deciding factors for admission; also important is your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation
- Number of applicants offered admission: 15% average over the last four years, Yearly tuition (2009-2010): US $20,800
- Yearly living costs for a single student in the Ithaca area: between $16,096 and $23,467
- Fellowships and assistantships: Awarded on a competitive basis
- Deadline for admission: January 15 for Fall admission. There is no Spring admittance.