Sociology and Social Policy PhD at Harvard

[agnesjuliet]

I'm planning on applying to Harvard (and possibly other schools) to the sociology and social policy phd for fall 2013 (massively in advance I know)

I'm currently an undergraduate in history at Oxford and I've been accepted to Oxford, UCL and Cambridge to do an MSc/Mphil in medical anthropology.

If I apply to the PhD programme (at Harvard, or indeed anywhere in the US) is there any way to transfer credits from my postgraduate degree the PhD programme?

This is probably appallingly worded...

Thanks!

[ThisSlumgullionIsSoVapid]

This is probably something you should contact the department about sometime soon. I wouldn't say you are that far in advance, especially since you're taking a unique route.

I'd definitely take that up with the department. I'd also suggest applying to more than just one program if you're set on going into a sociology PhD. Nothings for certain in this admissions process, its quite ambiguous at times (as this forum demonstrates).

[SocHope]

Usually the departmental website will have some information about how many/types of courses done at the graduate level (e.g., courses taken while completing a MA/MS) can be applied toward the PhD. Some departments are more strict in that they only accept graduate coursework done within the specific field of the doctoral program, while others are more flexible. In almost every case, you need to provide documentation and petition the department to have the credits applied.

[Chuck]

Usually the departmental website will have some information about how many/types of courses done at the graduate level (e.g., courses taken while completing a MA/MS) can be applied toward the PhD. Some departments are more strict in that they only accept graduate coursework done within the specific field of the doctoral program, while others are more flexible. In almost every case, you need to provide documentation and petition the department to have the credits applied.

Exactly. Varies dramatically by department. Some departments are permissive only to be overshadowed by broader university requirements (e.g. "The Graduate School requires 32 credits of academic coursework completed in residence"). I dare say though that you've got plenty of time to figure out this and other more important things.