Demography

At that intersection of the departments of sociology, demography, and the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs sits the Office of Population Research (OPR), one of the world's oldest and most internationally renowned centers in the field of demography. In recent years there has been increasing research activity in the areas of health and wellbeing, social demography, migration, and urbanization, reflecting growing student interest in using quantitative methods to address real-world problems. Students (typically 3-5) from each incoming sociology cohort have the opportunity to pursue both independent and collaborative research in this supportive intellectual environment. OPR helps create this sense of community by bringing visiting social scientists for weekly presentations and providing each student with state-of-the-art resources (student offices, technology and library support, etc.) in Wallace Hall. Students specializing in demography normally take an intensive two-semester sequence in population issues and demographic techniques during their first year, which leads to a General Examination in demography each May. OPR also offers a separate Ph.D. program in demography for students whose interests are not primarily in the field of sociology. If you are a prospective student, please visit our website and contact Professor Noreen Goldman, OPR's Director of Graduate Studies, with any questions you may have.