An integrated, consecutive qualification program for all doctoral candidates at the Department of Sociology that provides individualized, structured support for research work and the acquisition of further academic qualifications.
The organizational structure and opportunitites presented within MuGSS are closely linked to the research-oriented Master degree program in Sociology, the mentoring program at Faculty 15, and the LMU Mentoring program for the post-doctoral phase.
In addition, MuGSS serves to promote networking among doctoral students as well as with scientists at other levels of qualification.
The graduate school is aimed at all internal and external doctoral candidates (e.g., research assistants at a chair or in third-party funded projects, doctoral scholarship holders, part-time doctoral candidates, etc.) who are supervised by Department of Sociology faculty members authorized to supervise doctoral candidates.
All members of MuGSS are awarded the degree of Dr./Dr. rer. soc. in accordance with the doctoral regulations of Faculty 15 (from 2016 (PDF, 108 KB); from 2025 (PDF, 111 KB)).
MuGSS does not offer a scholarship program.
In order to pursue a doctorate at the IfS, you first need a professor as your primary supervisor (in justified cases, private lecturers and postdocs may also take on the role of supervisor upon request).
If you do not yet know who you would like to supervise your doctoral project, it is best to first familiarize yourself with the research areas of the various chairs at the Department of Sociology and consider where your project would fit in terms of topic and/or methodology.
Make an appointment with your desired supervisor via the respective chair's office to clarify the possibility of supervision and, if necessary, discuss your ideas and the next steps.
Another option is to apply for one of the advertised open positions at the Department of Sociology. These often allow applicants to pursue a doctoral degree.
The supervision agreement must be agreed upon individually during the initial supervision meeting.
According to the doctoral regulations for Dr. rer. soc., the supervision agreement must be signed by both the primary and secondary supervisor as well as by the doctoral candidate.
Admission to doctoral studies is handled by the doctoral administration office. More information on how to apply online can be found on their website.
The following documents are required (scanned copies):
The online application will then be reviewed by the Examination Office (PAGS). If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to collect your letter of acceptance upon presentation of the original documents.
The letter of acceptance is initially valid for 3 years from the date of issue. It can be extended by sending an informal letter from the supervisor to the PAGS.
Admission to a doctoral degree program via the examination board does not automatically imply enrollment at the LMU. Furthermore, enrollment is not necessary in order to be accepted for a doctoral degree program or to submit a dissertation.
If you wish to enroll, please contact the Student Office and follow the instructions for enrollment.
Your dissertation can be submitted at any time. However, it is best to speak to your supervisor in advance and inform them of your expected submission date. More information on submitting your thesis can be found on the PAGs website. Please note the business hours of PAGS and the office hours of the responsible person (Manuela Stetter) when submitting your dissertation.
The dissertation can be published via the university library (UB). The UB provides information on thow to do this. Information on what to do after submitting your dissertation and attending your oral defense can be found in this info sheet (117 kB).
You may use the title of doctor (Dr. rer. soc.) after the PAGS has issued your doctoral certificate or after you have submitted your publishing contract.
According to the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act, the fixed term after completion of a doctoral degree (max. six additional years) begins from the date of the oral defense.
As part of the graduate school, supplementary tasks are required alongside the authorship of a doctoral thesis. The supervision agreement contains relevant information on the expected tasks tailored to the individual needs of the doctoral candidate and/or the planned dissertation project.
In addition to attending relevant courses offered by the Department of Sociology, these tasks may also include participation in the following:
Teaching at the Department of Sociology can also count toward the required tasks. The fulfillment of these obligations in accordance with the supervision agreement is determined by the primary supervisor during regular supervision meetings.
© Dom Fou
Once a year, the Department of Sociology holds a study day for doctoral students, which also includes a plenary session for the MuGSS.
The study day is framed by an external academic lecture and provide space for self-organized event formats by the doctoral students, e.g., on issues of good scientific practice and research ethics.
The next study day will take place in 2026.
The MuGSS is managed for a period of two years by a member of staff at the Department of Sociology as spokesperson. This person convenes a meeting of the MuGSS executive committee once per semester, which consists of:
Contact us via email with any questions or suggestions.
