Like families, organizations are important social institutions. This area is designed to increase students' knowledge and mastery of a range of organizations, including business firms, non-profit organizations, and government bodies. Going along with that, students are expected to understand the nature of experiences with these institutions (e.g., among workers or employees within firms) and how organizations interface with other social institutions (e.g., the family). Students learn theories (e.g., about the role that social networks play and guiding people into occupations, or how organizations form ties with each other) and become familiar with the methods that are required to study these processes (e.g., social network analysis).<br>Ph.D. degree candidates may register in general sociology initially but must select one of the eight areas of concentration before taking the Admission to Candidacy examination. Candidates also choose two minors from sociology or related fields. Students normally take a sequence of core courses in theory and methods but may substitute a general examination in these subjects. Ph.D. students in full-time residence are normally expected to earn the Ph.D. degree within four years. The written and oral Admission to Candidacy examination is usually taken early in the third year, followed by the dissertation and oral defense. One year of directed teaching experience at Cornell is required unless the student is specifically exempted.