The School of Social Sciences is committed to student success.

 
Graduate education is thriving in the UC Irvine School of Social Sciences. Reflecting the tripartite mission of the University of California--research, teaching and community service--social sciences students are already assuming leadership roles in academia, education, science and society. Learn more . . . 

Hello World

Ph.D. Program Rankings

#08

 

anthropology
National Research Council

#19

 

cognitive sciences
U.S. News & World Report

#24

 

economics
U.S. News & World Report

NEW FALL 2020

 

global studies
 

NEW FALL 2020

 

language science
 

#01

 

logic & philosophy of science
Philosophical Gourmet Report

#24

 

political science
U.S. News & World Report

#12

 

sociology
U.S. News & World Report

 

 

 

Top-Ranked Programs

From digital play to gender pay, our top-ranked graduate programs in social sciences allow students to specialize in programs that create positive change in societies, economies and for human well-being.

Learn More

About Us

Diversity

The School of Social Sciences has an enormous diversity and range of research and instructional enterprises and is distinguished by its multi-disciplinary approach to research discovery and training. The school is also committed to the diversity of its graduate student body, and has dedicated faculty mentors who focus on our intellectual and social climate.


 

Quality

The school’s open atmosphere allows for easy interaction between students and faculty. Globally recognized for its excellence, the faculty include 11 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Science, as well as cutting-edge junior scholars whose work is creating new fields, from cognitive robotics to the anthropology of virtual worlds. The doctoral programs rank at the top of their fields; an achievement due in no small measure to the quality and commitment of the school’s graduate students. Indeed, graduate research is front and center of the agenda. Working with the school’s distinguished faculty, graduate students have seized the opportunity to shape their fields.


 

Relevance

Research in the social sciences ranges from basic, pure research to applied, action-oriented research. From findings that will change how disabled veterans receive care and action-oriented policy contributions aimed at creating community park space for health awareness, to explorations of the interconnections made possible by Internet technologies and their impact for international security, cultural transformation, the arts and education, faculty and graduate student research makes an impact on the communities the university serves.

 

Financial Support

All graduate programs in the UCI School of Social Sciences offer students a minimum of five years guaranteed funding. Scholars within the school have a proven track record of earning competitive research funding from national agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Army Office of Research, and U.S. Department of Agriculture; from private foundations including the Russell Sage Foundation and Arnold Foundation; and from campus-level fellowships, such as the Public Impact, Fletcher Jones and Chancellor’s Club fellowships, to name a few.

 

 

Funding

The School of Social Sciences provides a range of financial support packages designed to enhance your graduate education experiences, and to make the cost of obtaining an advanced degree affordable. These include extramural (external funding sources like National Science Foundation, Russell Sage) and intramural (UCI and school-sponsored) funding opportunities.

Learn More