Sociology
Hello, I'm Lütfi SUNAR. I am the department chair of the Sociology Department at Istanbul Medeniyet University's Faculty of Arts. I am also the head of the department for sociology doctoral and master's programs. I conduct research about Turkey's social structure, social stratification, inequality, and sociology of work. Our sociology doctoral program has been running for approximately 6 years and continues to provide education. Within the scope of the sociology doctoral program, we strive to educate both prospective academics and candidates with advanced expertise in sociology. Our doctoral program, like all doctoral programs in Turkey, is open to candidates who have completed their master's education. In this sense, we can say that it offers a highly qualified, analytical, and multidimensional education. To apply for the sociology doctoral program, it is required to have a master's degree. Additionally, for the integrated doctoral program, it is possible to apply without a master's degree under more specific conditions. We also require a minimum score of 70 in the ALES (Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam) and a minimum language proficiency score of 70. Applicants are expected to write an intention letter declaring their intention to pursue a sociology doctoral degree. We attach great importance to this intention letter as it reflects the applicant's personal motivation as well as their contributions to the field of sociology. Furthermore, we collaborate with professors from our faculty and other departments within the university who are involved in sociology or related fields. We occasionally receive support and contributions in different courses. We also receive support from experts in the field from different faculties and universities in subjects such as statistics and methodological training within the course curriculum. Our goal for the Sociology doctoral program is to provide specialized training in theory, methodology, and social research skills. In our doctoral program, apart from seminar courses, we have one compulsory course each semester. In the fall semester, students are required to take the quantitative methods course, and in the spring semester, they take the qualitative methods course. Methodology education is a crucial part of our doctoral training. Additionally, students can choose three elective courses in each semester. Istanbul Medeniyet University is located in the center of Istanbul, with easy access and a spacious campus. We can proudly say that we have one of the largest university libraries in Turkey. The library is an integral part of a university, especially considering that doctoral students are constantly engaged in research. Having such a library facility provides them with invaluable opportunities. Moreover, our campus offers socialization areas, cafes, sports facilities, and various social opportunities that turn the doctoral education process into a chance for socializing. Access to electronic and printed resources provided by our university also allows doctoral students to access the necessary research materials throughout their doctoral studies.
We attach great importance to the participation of doctoral students in research projects conducted by our department's faculty members as scholarship holders. In this regard, many of our doctoral students have served as scholarship holders in international projects, TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) projects, and BAP (Scientific Research Projects) projects. Additionally, we have applied several times to the 102,000 doctoral scholarship program conducted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and thus created various scholarship opportunities for our doctoral students. We have scholarship holders supported by YÖK in the fields of migration, family, and sociometry. Furthermore, a few of our students benefit from the international visiting researcher scholarship program conducted by TÜBİTAK each year. We encourage our students to take advantage of various scholarships, conduct part of their education internationally at different universities, and gain international experience. Therefore, I can say that our sociology department's doctoral program has a strong foundation in terms of scholarships, research, and international mobility. One of the most important features of a quality doctoral program worldwide is the diversity in terms of international student participation. At Medeniyet University, located in the heart of Istanbul, we place great importance on international diversity. Of course, the application and admission requirements for international students may differ to some extent. As our doctoral program is conducted in Turkish, the applicants need to have a sufficient command of Turkish in terms of understanding and writing, which enables them to pursue the doctoral program. In this regard, we keep this in mind during the interview process. Currently, we highly value the language and comprehension skills, as well as the research capacity, of our doctoral students, enabling them to actively participate in all aspects of our educational program . The Sociology PhD program is primarily designed to train individuals who will serve as academics in the field of sociology. Therefore, it is essential for prospective academic candidates to possess various qualities and skills such as research, writing, project development, presentation, and teaching. Throughout our doctoral program, we strive to enhance these competencies through different methods. We develop our students' teaching skills, writing skills, research skills, collaborative and teamwork abilities, as well as their proficiency in applying theoretical, empirical, and current developments in sociology. Our graduates are fully equipped and highly qualified academic candidates from our doctoral program. Above all, a strong education, a focused curriculum, and close monitoring along with effective guidance are distinctive features of our doctoral program. Additionally, Medeniyet University Sociology Department is a rapidly developing and expanding department that has rightfully established its name and position in the field of sociology in Turkey. Therefore, it can confidently be stated that receiving doctoral education in this department is a distinguishing quality and an important opportunity for our students to secure a more prominent position within the evolving landscape of sociology in Turkey. However, it should be noted that the application process is highly competitive. Therefore, prospective students need to prepare thoroughly, achieve high scores, possess good language skills, and adequately prepare themselves for this department. Enroling and graduating from the Sociology PhD program at Medeniyet University is a privilege and a significant opportunity to gain a more distinguished position in the developing structure of sociology in Turkey. I wish success to all applicants who will apply to our doctoral program and hope that everything goes according to their wishes. We eagerly await your applications for the Sociology PhD Program at Istanbul Medeniyet University.
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We attach great importance to the participation of doctoral students in research projects conducted by our department's faculty members as scholarship holders. In this regard, many of our doctoral students have served as scholarship holders in international projects, TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) projects, and BAP (Scientific Research Projects) projects. Additionally, we have applied several times to the 102,000 doctoral scholarship program conducted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and thus created various scholarship opportunities for our doctoral students. We have scholarship holders supported by YÖK in the fields of migration, family, and sociometry. Furthermore, a few of our students benefit from the international visiting researcher scholarship program conducted by TÜBİTAK each year. We encourage our students to take advantage of various scholarships, conduct part of their education internationally at different universities, and gain international experience. Therefore, I can say that our sociology department's doctoral program has a strong foundation in terms of scholarships, research, and international mobility. One of the most important features of a quality doctoral program worldwide is the diversity in terms of international student participation. At Medeniyet University, located in the heart of Istanbul, we place great importance on international diversity. Of course, the application and admission requirements for international students may differ to some extent. As our doctoral program is conducted in Turkish, the applicants need to have a sufficient command of Turkish in terms of understanding and writing, which enables them to pursue the doctoral program. In this regard, we keep this in mind during the interview process. Currently, we highly value the language and comprehension skills, as well as the research capacity, of our doctoral students, enabling them to actively participate in all aspects of our educational program . The Sociology PhD program is primarily designed to train individuals who will serve as academics in the field of sociology. Therefore, it is essential for prospective academic candidates to possess various qualities and skills such as research, writing, project development, presentation, and teaching. Throughout our doctoral program, we strive to enhance these competencies through different methods. We develop our students' teaching skills, writing skills, research skills, collaborative and teamwork abilities, as well as their proficiency in applying theoretical, empirical, and current developments in sociology. Our graduates are fully equipped and highly qualified academic candidates from our doctoral program. Above all, a strong education, a focused curriculum, and close monitoring along with effective guidance are distinctive features of our doctoral program. Additionally, Medeniyet University Sociology Department is a rapidly developing and expanding department that has rightfully established its name and position in the field of sociology in Turkey. Therefore, it can confidently be stated that receiving doctoral education in this department is a distinguishing quality and an important opportunity for our students to secure a more prominent position within the evolving landscape of sociology in Turkey. However, it should be noted that the application process is highly competitive. Therefore, prospective students need to prepare thoroughly, achieve high scores, possess good language skills, and adequately prepare themselves for this department. Enroling and graduating from the Sociology PhD program at Medeniyet University is a privilege and a significant opportunity to gain a more distinguished position in the developing structure of sociology in Turkey. I wish success to all applicants who will apply to our doctoral program and hope that everything goes according to their wishes. We eagerly await your applications for the Sociology PhD Program at Istanbul Medeniyet University.
