Sociology, Specialization in Applied Demography, M.A.

E-mail: socdept@bgsu.edu

A growing number of administrative, planning, and statistical agencies at all levels of government, public policy research organizations, and private industries are showing an interest in employing persons whose primary training and expertise is in the use and analysis of population statistics. In addition, an increasing number of students have shown an interest in acquiring specialized training in techniques of demographic analysis at an earlier stage in their graduate education than is common in more traditional graduate programs. Designed in response to these trends, the Graduate Program in Applied Demography prepares graduates for employment in a variety of service, government, or business settings upon the completion of the master’s degree. Students who intend to continue their education through the doctoral degree should also consider the Graduate Program in demography within the Department of Sociology. This program has different requirements for the master’s degree in demography and is generally designed to prepare students for entry into a doctoral level program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Sociology program are expected to be able to:

Develop a project that investigates a sociological research question.
Evaluate and defend the relevant theories and literature that inform the research question.
Statistically analyze empirical data from large social survey datasets to investigate a research question.
Assess the strengths and limitations of analytical methods and defend choices to use some methods over others.
Argue effectively to technical and non-technical audiences orally and in writing.

Admission Requirements

Deadlines for Fall is January 15 for priority funding consideration. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.

You may start this program with or without a Masters. If you do not hold a Masters, you will complete in your program of study.

Documents required:

Three Letters of Recommendation
Professional Resume
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample

Please refer to your program’s webpage for specific details about the nature and content of the additional documents required.

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement.

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Course Name		Terms Taken	Grade	Core
Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Advisor Name:_______________________	Catalog: 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Program: Sociology, Specialization in Applied Demography, M.A.
This is for planning purposes only, please check with your advisor with questions about your degree progress
Sociology, Specialization in Applied Demography, M.A. E-mail: socdept@bgsu.edu A growing number of administrative, planning, and statistical agencies at all levels of government, public policy research organizations, and private industries are showing an interest in employing persons whose primary training and expertise is in the use and analysis of population statistics. In addition, an increasing number of students have shown an interest in acquiring specialized training in techniques of demographic analysis at an earlier stage in their graduate education than is common in more traditional graduate programs. Designed in response to these trends, the Graduate Program in Applied Demography prepares graduates for employment in a variety of service, government, or business settings upon the completion of the master’s degree. Students who intend to continue their education through the doctoral degree should also consider the Graduate Program in demography within the Department of Sociology. This program has different requirements for the master’s degree in demography and is generally designed to prepare students for entry into a doctoral level program. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Sociology program are expected to be able to: Develop a project that investigates a sociological research question. Evaluate and defend the relevant theories and literature that inform the research question. Statistically analyze empirical data from large social survey datasets to investigate a research question. Assess the strengths and limitations of analytical methods and defend choices to use some methods over others. Argue effectively to technical and non-technical audiences orally and in writing. Admission Requirements Deadlines for Fall is January 15 for priority funding consideration. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline. You may start this program with or without a Masters. If you do not hold a Masters, you will complete in your program of study. Documents required: Three Letters of Recommendation Professional Resume Statement of Purpose Writing Sample Please refer to your program’s webpage for specific details about the nature and content of the additional documents required. International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement. Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores. Application Requirements Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements International Application Information Degree Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
Required Courses (18 credits)
SOC 5200 - Techniques of Demographic Analysis
SOC 6100 - Statistical Techniques and Applications in Sociology
SOC 6120 - Intermediate Statistics
SOC 6210 - Population and Society
SOC 6090 - Statistical Packages
SOC 6110 - Intermediate Methodology
Electives (9 credits)
Course Name		Terms Taken	Grade	Core
Methods. Select 1 course from:
SOC 6270 - Introduction to Applied Demography
SOC 7130 - Research Design
SOC 7190 - Advanced Statistics
SOC 7200 - Techniques of Demographic Analysis II
Substantive. Select 1 course from:
SOC 6560 - Family Demography
SOC 6580 - Sociology of Aging
SOC 7230 - Population and Third World Development
SOC 7260 - Migration
SOC 7270 - Morbidity and Mortality
SOC 7280 - Human Fertility and Family Planning
Additional 3 credits. Select from: Additional graduate level demography courses offered by the Sociology Department. Additional graduate level courses offered by the Sociology Department Additional graduate level courses offered by other BGSU departments. SOC 6890 Internship in Applied Demography (No more than 6 hours). Additional credits of SOC 6990 Thesis Research (No more than 12 total hours).
Culminating Experience (3 credits)
Course Name		Terms Taken	Grade	Core
SOC 6990 - Thesis Research
Minimum Total Credits (30 credits)
Additional Requirements Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements. Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher Minimum of 24 credits must be earned at BGSU All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.
Notes:

Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (18 credits)

Electives (9 credits)

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

Minimum Total Credits (30 credits)

Additional Requirements