Ph.D. Programs

Graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania is conducted through graduate groups formed according to different areas of study. These groups, rather than academic departments in the School of Arts and Sciences, administer programs leading to the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees. Study in the field of demography may be pursued in one of two graduate groups: The Graduate Group in Demography or The Graduate Group in Sociology, where Demography is a formal subfield in which a student can specialize. Admission to each of these programs is controlled by a separate admissions committee, and each is administered by its own Graduate Group Chair. Those seeking a graduate degree in Demography should apply to the Graduate Group in Demography.

It is possible to earn a joint Ph.D. in Demography and other disciplines. For example, some students earn a joint Ph.D. in Sociology and Demography by satisfying the requirements of both graduate groups, and writing a single dissertation. Other students have obtained joint Ph.D's in Demography and History, although this is less common. Students seeking a joint Ph.D. combining Demography with some other field must be admitted in that field (as well as in Demography); this can occur after admission to the Demography program; and in any event should be done with the consultation of the Chair of the Graduate Group in Demography.

The graduate groups are responsible for training students through course work and supervised research. Faculty research in Demography is carried out within the Population Studies Center, which is administered by the Center Director. All members of the Graduate Group in Demography are also Research Associates of the Population Studies Center, but the Center also includes many associates from other schools and departments at Penn and nearby universities.