Graduate Studies

Abstract

Many college graduates continue their studies in graduate programs that provide specialized training for the workforce, research, or academic careers. About one quarter of US sociology programs offer graduate degrees. More college graduates than ever are applying to, enrolling in, and matriculating from graduate programs. However, international student enrollments have fallen in recent years due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Sociology graduate programs also experienced declining enrollments. Still, although the number of earned sociology master's degrees has fallen in recent years, earned sociology doctoral degrees have steadily risen since the mid‐1980s. Graduate students are diverse relative to gender, race, ethnicity, and international student status. Some foci of recent research include graduate students' mental health, concerns intensified by the COVID‐19 pandemic, and how graduate programs have worked to meet students' needs by providing training for teaching‐focused or alternative (“alt‐ac”) careers.