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Demography and Population Studies

Overview

Programs in demography and population studies examine human populations.

Students learn how to determine a population's size, average age, and growth rate. They study the distribution of these characteristics for a region or country.

Demography and population studies programs include topics such as:

In demography programs, students take courses from different fields of study, including anthropology, sociology, biology, geography, and economics.

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in demography and population studies. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Usually demography is part of a sociology program. Most four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in sociology. In many cases, students earn a minor in demography while earning a bachelor's degree in sociology or a related field. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

A few schools offer graduate degree programs in demography. Often, demography is offered as a concentration in sociology, anthropology, public policy, or economics. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree. A PhD prepares people to teach in colleges or universities or to work as researchers.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

In addition, you take courses about specific regions and countries.

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate certificates in demography studies typically include:

Most graduate program requirements typically include:

Things to Know

With a degree in demography and population studies, you can work as a policy-maker for a nonprofit group. You can use your research skills to work in market research, health care administration, or investment planning. You can work for government agencies such as the Census Bureau.

Schools

King-Snohomish Area

Seattle Pacific University

University of Washington - Seattle