Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Sociology and Social Justice

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied sociology and Social Justice (ASSJ) is a terminal degree that equips students to systematically examine inequities throughout all sectors of society. ASSJ Ph.D. students are trained to apply the Sociological lens in the four concentration areas of the program:

1. Reform the criminal justice system
2. Promote community development and social change 
3. Advocate for racial, gender, and economic justice 
4. Apply advanced applied sociological methods to the study of all social problems

ASSJ includes both high residency and low residency options, facilitated by the offering of courses in hy-flex and remote modalities, as well as the scheduling of courses in the evening.  Additionally, some of the course offerings will be online classes.  All students are required to attend one intensive, in-person retreat in Baltimore during the fall Proseminar course. ASSJ students will work under the mentorship of outstanding faculty with expertise in areas like race, criminal justice/ deviance, law, urban studies, social work, sports, education, culture, family, social psychology, health, religion, environment, labor, political economy, globalization, technology studies, and qualitative and quantitative methodology, among others.

Program Objectives

• To advance graduate research on social justice issues, including but not limited to criminal justice reform, community development and social change, and race, gender and economic justice, locally, nationally, and internationally. 
• To instruct students in advanced sociological and transdisciplinary methods that can be used to advise local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit groups, as well as business and industry sectors. 
• To equip social science professionals with the research skills and the knowledge to deliver evidence-based solutions to social problems. 
• To equip future academics with innovative teaching experience and cutting-edge transdisciplinary research experience to become attractive job candidates on the academic market. 
• To nurture an environment of collaboration and collective problem-solving among students and faculty, including extensive student mentoring by faculty.

Admission and program requirements are listed in here

Contact Information

Natasha Pratt-Harris, Ph.D. 
Coordinator of Graduate Programs and Professor, Sociology 
Tel: (443) 885-3506/3518 
E-mail: natasha.prattharris@morgan.edu 

Leon Wilson, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Professor, Sociology
Tel: (443) 885-3518
E-mail: leon.wilson@morgan.edu