University of North Texas 
Pass-through master's/PhD students in good standing are generally funded for five
years. Students who enroll only for the PhD are usually funded for three years. When
resources are available, we also offer funding to students in our terminal master's
program.
Students can receive funding by working for the department in a variety of ways.
Teaching Assistantships
Graduate student teaching assistantships (TA) require up to 20 hours per week of assisting sociology department professors and instructors. TA positions come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) of paid tuition. In order to qualify for this tuition benefit, a student must be in good academic standing and be a full-time graduate student (9 credit hours).
Graduate student teaching assistantships (TA) require up to 20 hours per week of assisting sociology department professors and instructors. TA positions come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) of paid tuition. In order to qualify for this tuition benefit, a student must be in good academic standing and be a full-time graduate student (9 credit hours).
Teaching Fellowships
Advanced graduate students may also work as Teaching Fellows (TFs) where they serve as the primary instructor for an undergraduate course. The Graduate Director and/or Department Chair works with students to assign courses based on students' interests and the department's teaching needs. TF positions come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) paid tuition. Teaching fellowships not only provide funding for graduate students, but also valuable teaching experience for those interested in future employment as faculty members.
Advanced graduate students may also work as Teaching Fellows (TFs) where they serve as the primary instructor for an undergraduate course. The Graduate Director and/or Department Chair works with students to assign courses based on students' interests and the department's teaching needs. TF positions come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) paid tuition. Teaching fellowships not only provide funding for graduate students, but also valuable teaching experience for those interested in future employment as faculty members.
Research Assistantships
Graduate students in the master's, pass-through, or PhD programs may also work as research assistants (RAs) supporting faculty-led research projects. These positions are often funded through internal or external grants and are administered by individual faculty members. RAs assist in the full capacity of research, from data collection to data analysis and the writing of articles. Funding for RA positions may vary depending on the source, but they generally come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) paid tuition.
Graduate students in the master's, pass-through, or PhD programs may also work as research assistants (RAs) supporting faculty-led research projects. These positions are often funded through internal or external grants and are administered by individual faculty members. RAs assist in the full capacity of research, from data collection to data analysis and the writing of articles. Funding for RA positions may vary depending on the source, but they generally come with a paid stipend and up to 9 hours (full-time enrollment) paid tuition.
Summer Funding
The department aims to fund all students who express a need for summer funding, but availability of TA, TF, and RA positions vary during the summer. There are some Teaching Assistant (TA) positions available in the five-week summer sessions and a few Teaching Fellow (TF) positions for doctoral students. These positions pay between $2500 - $2800 for one summer term. International applicants with questions about work and funding should visit international.unt.edu.
The department aims to fund all students who express a need for summer funding, but availability of TA, TF, and RA positions vary during the summer. There are some Teaching Assistant (TA) positions available in the five-week summer sessions and a few Teaching Fellow (TF) positions for doctoral students. These positions pay between $2500 - $2800 for one summer term. International applicants with questions about work and funding should visit international.unt.edu.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Our department and UNT offer a number of grants and resources to fund graduate student
research (theses and dissertations) and conference travel. We also offer numerous
scholarships and awards to recognize outstanding students, teaching assistants, and
teaching fellows.
Academic Achievement Scholarship (In-State Tuition Scholarship)
The Academic Achievement Scholarship (AAS) from the Toulouse Graduate School is a one-year, $1,000 scholarship that begins only during the fall semester. Recipients who are international or non-resident may be eligible to pay Texas resident tuition during the terms of the scholarship. If all scholarship requirements are met during year one of the award, the student will automatically receive a one-year renewal of the scholarship, pending availability of funds.
The Academic Achievement Scholarship (AAS) from the Toulouse Graduate School is a one-year, $1,000 scholarship that begins only during the fall semester. Recipients who are international or non-resident may be eligible to pay Texas resident tuition during the terms of the scholarship. If all scholarship requirements are met during year one of the award, the student will automatically receive a one-year renewal of the scholarship, pending availability of funds.
Eligibility: Doctoral and Masters students who are newly admitted and have completed less than
12 hours toward their degree may be considered for the award. Standardized test scores
and admissions information are taken into consideration when awarding students. Only
fully admitted students will be considered to receive the award; undecided and pending
students are ineligible. In the past, successful candidates have had a graduate admission
GPA of at least 3.5.
Application Process: Fully admitted graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements should apply
through the Eagle Scholarship Portal to be considered for this opportunity. Upon submission, applicants will be auto-matched
for consideration provided they meet the eligibility criteria. For more information on the application process and requirements for maintaining the
scholarship once awarded, click here.
Departmental Scholarships
The Sociology Department offers several scholarships for Sociology majors on an annual
basis. Applications will be accepted beginning September 1 and are due by 11:59pm on January 30. The awarding of any scholarship is subject each year to the availability of funds.
When awarded, the amount will be split equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.
Students should contact the department at 940-565-2296 or sociology@unt.edu for more information.
Procedure:
- Applicants must use the subject line “Graduate Scholarship Application” and submit
the following to sociology@unt.edu :
- General Scholarship Application form (PDF)
- Academic CV/resume
- Unofficial transcript.
- Scholarship award notices will be sent to students by April 1.
- Recipients must accept or decline an award by April 15.
- Note: Students must also submit an appreciation letter to the donor of the scholarship along with the signed agreement
The Cybercrime and Social Behavior Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by a group of well-respected Chief Information Security
Officers (CISOs) and experts in cybersecurity (Cecil Pineda, Randy Potts, and Jaimin
Shah) who founded the organization CISO XC to support and connect the information
security community at large.
Requirements:
-
Applicants must be full-time (at least 9 graduate credit hours per semester) graduate (or undergraduate) Sociology majors at UNT who have at least a 3.0 GPA (cumulative).
- Applicants must include a short paragraph indicating their interest in the field of cybercrime. This may include courses, training, certificates, internships, research papers, conference presentations, or publications in the field (additional relevant material may also be provided).
The Alvin C. Dorse Scholarship
This scholarship was founded by Drs. Susan Eve and Rudy Ray Seward to honor the legacy
of their colleague Dr. Alvin Dorse. Dr. Dorse served the department as professor and
Chair, teaching in the field of urban sociology.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT.
The Hiram J. Friedsam Graduate Scholarship
Dr. Hiram J. Friedsam retired as an Emeritus Professor after joining UNT in 1948 and
serving as a distinguished professor, Dean, and first Chair of the Sociology Department.
During his time at UNT, he created the first gerontology program in Texas and served
as the first Dean of what is now the College of Health and Public Service. Notably,
Dr. Friedsam served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps during
World War II, retiring as a Major in 1961.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT.
The Lynne Killgore Scholarship
Lynne Killgore is a valued and active alumna of the department striving to serve and
support Sociology students with social, financial, and academic needs.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be an undergraduate or graduate Sociology major (enrolled in at least 3 graduate credit hours per semester) at UNT.
- To be considered for this scholarship, students must provide a brief statement indicating
how they meet the special eligibility requirements for this scholarship.
- Preference will be given to non-traditional students who have been out of school for an absence of five years or more due to family responsibilities.
- Preference is given to those who indicate they have not worked full-time during this absence.
The David H. Malone Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship was created by Shannon O’Brien to honor the legacy of Dr. David Malone
and his impact as a distinguished professor at UNT. Dr. Malone served the department
for years as the Undergraduate Advisor and Director.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT.
The Popescu Hester Sociology Excellence Award for Teaching Assistants
This dual scholarship was created by alumna Jennifer Hester Popescu and her husband
Sorin Popescu to honor their late fathers, Ilie Popescu and Richard Hester, both lifelong
advocates for the value of education and research in higher learning.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time (9 graduate credit hours per semester) graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT with a 3.25 or higher GPA (cumulative).
- Applicants must have served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Sociology and received the top-rated TA evaluations.
- Applicants must submit both the General Scholarship Application and the TA supplemental application form.
The Popescu Hester Sociology Excellence Award for Teaching Fellows
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time (9 graduate credit hours per semester) graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT with a 3.25 or higher GPA (cumulative).
- Applicants must have served as a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Sociology and received the top SPOT Scores and Student Response Rates.
- Applicants must submit both the General Scholarship Application and the TF supplemental application form.
The Rudy Ray and Jean Ann Seward Scholarship
Dr. Rudy Ray Seward is an Emeritus Professor who served the department for decades
as Graduate Advisor and Director while publishing in the field of family sociology,
building on the legacy of Dr. Benson and cementing a name for himself. Jean Ann Seward
was an established physical therapist who served the Denton community.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time (9 graduate credit hours per semester) graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT.
The Sociology Graduate Student Excellence Scholarship
This scholarship was created by the Sociology Department.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time (9 graduate credit hours per semester) graduate student majoring in Sociology at UNT with a 4.0 overall GPA who have completed their first year of either the MS or PHD program and making satisfactory progress.
The Dale and Linda Elgert Yeatts Graduate Scholarship
Dr. Dale Yeatts is an established professor serving the department in a variety of
roles, including twice as Chair, while contributing to the fields of medical and environmental
sociology with his research on nursing homes, nurse aides, environmental issues and
work teams. Dr. Linda Yeatts is a well-known family physician with a focus on alternative
medicine serving the people of Denton.
Requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time (3 graduate credit hours per semester) as a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at UNT.
GRANTS
Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grants
The Department supports students who have research expenses related to their thesis and dissertation projects. To apply for these funds, complete the Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application form linked below, email it to your major professor for a signature of approval, and then send the signed form to the Department Chair, Matthew Painter (matthew.painter@unt.edu), and CC sociology@unt.edu. Indicate in the subject line of the email that you are attaching a Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application. The Department Chair will make the final decision regarding the awarding of grant funding. Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application (pdf)
The Department supports students who have research expenses related to their thesis and dissertation projects. To apply for these funds, complete the Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application form linked below, email it to your major professor for a signature of approval, and then send the signed form to the Department Chair, Matthew Painter (matthew.painter@unt.edu), and CC sociology@unt.edu. Indicate in the subject line of the email that you are attaching a Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application. The Department Chair will make the final decision regarding the awarding of grant funding. Thesis and Dissertation Small Research Grant Application (pdf)
Travel Grants
The Department encourages students to present their work at major professional conferences. Departmental funds are available for travel each year with the following limits. Note that matching travel funds are often available from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies.
The Department encourages students to present their work at major professional conferences. Departmental funds are available for travel each year with the following limits. Note that matching travel funds are often available from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies.
- Terminal masters students are eligible for a total of one conference trip while in the program at a cost of up to $1,500 from the department
- Pass-through and PhD-only students are eligible for one conference trip per year while in the program, at a cost of up to $1,500 from the department.
Access the travel funding application form below and submit it to the Administrative
Coordinator for review. Travel Funding Request
Poster Printing Grant
As part of our mission to support students’ research activities, the Department of Sociology will cover up to $50 toward the cost of printing posters for academic poster sessions for up to 5 students per fiscal year (September 1 through August 31). Recipients of this grant should work closely with the department’s Administrative Coordinator, Phila Tarlton (Philachon.Tarlton@unt.edu), to arrange printing. Do not pay for printing before consulting with Phila to ensure you use an approved vendor or university office.
As part of our mission to support students’ research activities, the Department of Sociology will cover up to $50 toward the cost of printing posters for academic poster sessions for up to 5 students per fiscal year (September 1 through August 31). Recipients of this grant should work closely with the department’s Administrative Coordinator, Phila Tarlton (Philachon.Tarlton@unt.edu), to arrange printing. Do not pay for printing before consulting with Phila to ensure you use an approved vendor or university office.
To apply, fill out the form linked below and send it to sociology@unt.edu with the subject "Application for Poster Printing Grant":
Application for Department Poster Printing Grant (pdf)
Application for Department Poster Printing Grant (docx)
Application for Department Poster Printing Grant (docx)
If you are a returning Peace Corps graduate student, you may be eligible for the Returned Peace Corp Volunteer Scholarship. Please contact sociology@unt.edu for application details.