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Master of Arts (M.A.)

Sociology: Applied Demographics

The master’s program in applied demography at BGSU in Ohio is designed to meet the growing demand by government, public organizations and private industries for experts who can use and analyze population statistics.

You’ll learn sociological methods through formal coursework and by working with faculty on cutting-edge sociological research.

Internship opportunities provide you with the experience and contacts you need to successfully compete in today’s job market.

Program highlights

  • Supportive culture. The department thrives because of the collegial relationships between faculty, students and staff. Our active Sociology Graduate Student Association promote personal, academic and professional development; encourages scholarly collaboration and promotes the advancement of social science research.
  • Internships. Build your resume by completing an internship. We’ll help you find a placement that matches your career goals.
  • Renowned faculty. Our faculty members are acclaimed for their research and teaching. They engage with you inside and outside the classroom. Faculty includes:
    • Recent president of the Population Association of America
    • Sutherland Award winner (highest honor from American Society of Criminology)
    • Editor of Population Research and Policy Review
    • Top contributor to work-family research
    • Expert witness to federal cases on bail reform
    • Author of a Supreme Court amicus brief in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case
  • Research opportunities. Work closely with faculty on research. Present at conferences and co-author publications.
  • Financial support. Graduate teaching or research assistantships are available and include a full tuition scholarship and a competitive stipend.
  • Marketable skills. Gain cutting-edge research and demographic skills in data analysis through research assistantships, workshops, speaker series and graduate seminars.
  • National research centers. Take advantage of two federally funded research centers on campus: the NIH-funded Center for Family and Demographic Research (CFDR) and the National Center for Family and Marriage Research (NCFMR). The centers provide:
    • Research opportunities
    • Colloquia series
    • Statistical training
    • Working groups
    • Access to national datasets
    • A chance to network with prominent scholars from around the country
  • National ranking. The BGSU doctoral program in sociology is ranked in the top 20 nationally by the National Research Council for our high research productivity and superior student outcomes. Demography is one of four specializations.

Career opportunities

Increased competitive pressures within U.S. and global markets will provide ample opportunity for commercial work for demographers. There is a need for sociologists who can answer complex questions and forecast future trends using projections and analysis.

Marketing, advertising and sales professionals also understand the value of robust demographic data.

The majority of our graduates have found careers as survey researchers or data analysts. They work in:

  • Government agencies (Census Bureau, Ohio Department of Health)
  • Nonprofit think tanks (Child Trends)
  • Research centers (Cornell Population Center)
  • Private sector in banking and marketing

Graduates of the BGSU master’s program also go on to our Ph.D. program in sociology.

Career paths

  • Demographic analyst
  • Global demographics and diversity analytics
  • Demographic health survey manager
  • Consumer tech demographic data
  • Demographics and political economy analyst

Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

View Average Salaries

Curriculum

Students in the graduate program in applied demography complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework and write a master’s thesis.

Our curriculum has a high degree of flexibility since the field of demography is so broad and the professional goals of students in the program are diverse. You’ll take a core set of courses but can design much of your program to meet your interests and goals.

Internship option

All master’s students have the option to do an internship with a public agency, nonprofit or private business. If you choose to do an internship, we can help you find a placement that matches your interests and career aspirations.

  • You must spend 200-400 working hours at your internship placement.
  • You will work on a project that you design in consultation with your academic advisor and internship supervisor or that is assigned by your supervisor.

Required courses

A female applied demographics student at BGSU sits in front of her computer and studies.

Sample courses

  • Statistical Packages
  • Statistical Techniques and Applications in Sociology
  • Intermediate Methodology
  • Intermediate Statistics
  • Research Design
  • Human Fertility and Family Planning
  • Longitudinal Data Analysis
  • Techniques of Demographic Analysis
  • Family Demography
  • Sociology of Aging
  • Migration

BGSU College of Arts and Sciences

The master’s degree in applied demography is a program of the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Updated: 08/05/2024 01:38PM