Demographic and Social Analysis

The Undergraduate Program in Demographic and Social Analysis at the University of California offers students a comprehensive foundation in understanding population dynamics and social trends that shape our world. This interdisciplinary program combines methods and insights from sociology, statistics, geography, and economics to equip students with the analytical tools necessary to examine demographic processes and their social implications. Designed for those interested in exploring issues such as population growth and decline, migration, aging, fertility, and social inequality, the program prepares students for careers in research, public policy, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector firms that require expertise in demographic analysis. Students will engage with a diverse curriculum that emphasizes quantitative skills, critical thinking, and real-world applications, including courses in data analysis, survey methodology, and social theory. Experiential learning opportunities such as internships, research projects, and fieldwork are integral parts of the program, providing practical experience and professional development. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to analyze complex demographic data, interpret social trends, and contribute to evidence-based policy making. The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and supports a vibrant academic community committed to addressing pressing social issues through rigorous research and innovative solutions. Whether students aspire to pursue further studies or enter the workforce directly, the Demographic and Social Analysis undergraduate program prepares them to become informed citizens and influential professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

Whereas core courses remain the same year-in and year-out, elective offerings vary. The sample electives are compiled from past offerings by DASA faculty. Actual choices extend beyond this sample list. Also, students who have not completed an undergraduate statistics class with a grade of B or better have several ways to demonstrate required competence before enrolling in Grad Statistics II.

I. Sample Electives (Partial list from 12 departments)
Housing, Immigration Dynamics, Transportation planning, Epidemiology, Sampling Techniques, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental Epidemiology, Demographics for Planning & Policy, Health Policy & Promotion, Survey Research Design, Global Urbanization, Educational Inequality, Demography of the Suburban Experience, Gender Inequality, California’s Population, Analysis of Social Network Data, Families & Households, Multivariate Analysis, Political Redistricting, Marketing.

Students may choose DASA-related electives (i.e., population issues or research methods, such as quantitative, survey, or other approved research methods courses) from the School of Social Ecology, School of Social Sciences, or the Paul Merage School of Business.

REQUIREMENTS
The M.A. requires 36 units of study and an oral exit examination. All students must complete 20 units of required courses which include one course in research design, one in demographic methods, one in populations, and two in statistics. In addition, students must complete 16 units of elective courses in population issues or research methods. No more than four units may be internship, independent study, directed readings, or thesis courses (to prepare for the oral examination). One or two electives may be upper-division undergraduate courses, with the remainder being graduate courses. All courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.

The M.A. in Social Sciences with a concentration in Demographic and Social Analysis may also be awarded to Ph.D. students who complete the necessary requirements.

M.A. IN SOCIAL ECOLOGY

At the graduate level, the emphasis in the School of Social Ecology is on the Ph.D. program, with the exception of the M.A. in Social Ecology with a concentration in Demographic and Social Analysis, the M.S. in Environmental Health Science and Policy, and the Master of Urban and Regional Planning. In very rare circumstances a student may be admitted directly to the M.A. degree program in Social Ecology. Students interested in this option only must call the Social Ecology Graduate Office at (949) 824-5917 before submitting their applications.

Master's degree students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom the student discusses an individual program of education. The program leading to the M.A. degree in Social Ecology requires a thesis and satisfactory completion of seven approved courses (28 units), including the Seminar in Social Ecology (Social Ecology 200), Research Methods (Social Ecology 201), and at least one additional approved course in statistics or methodology. Other courses should be selected with regard to the student's academic and career objectives, and must be approved by the faculty advisor. The seven required courses must include at least five graduate courses and must be exclusive of any directed study, independent study, or thesis courses (Social Ecology 298, 299, or 295). A grade of B or better must be achieved in all courses. Students are advanced to candidacy for the M.A. degree, and a thesis committee is appointed, after a review of their graduate work and thesis plans by a faculty committee.

M.A. IN SOCIAL ECOLOGY WITH A CONCENTRATION IN DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS

The concentration in Demographic and Social Analysis offers the option of additional professional certification for doctoral students already admitted to the School of Social Ecology. Admission, core course, and thesis requirements are identical to those for the general M.A. in Social Ecology. In addition, students must complete 12 units of designated electives in population issues or research methods. Up to two upper-division undergraduate courses may be approved to fulfill the elective requirement.

Requirements

1. The UCI Graduate Studies application form including a 'Why DASA?' personal statement;
2. Transcripts for all college-level course work;
3. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores earned within the last five years; 
4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. Applicants originating in countries where English is not the primary spoken language must, in addition, submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Finally, applicants may optionally submit a writing sample or other comparable evidence that demonstrates their potential for successful completion of the DASA program.

Scholarships

DASA awards a few very modest grants to recognize extraordinary qualifications on admission or exceptional achievement after enrollment. Subject to limited availability, DASA students may also apply for part-time Teaching Assistant positions.

Financial support for all master-level programs is generally limited, but this serves to underscore one real advantage of DASA's single-year program of intensive study -- an abbreviated period of investment.

The Demographic and Social Analysis program at the University of California offers students a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics and social structures. This interdisciplinary program combines elements of sociology, geography, statistics, and public policy to prepare students for careers in research, public service, and private sector analysis. Students engage in coursework that covers vital topics such as population change, migration, aging, fertility, health disparities, and social inequality. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and quantitative methods, enabling students to analyze demographic data and interpret social trends effectively. Additionally, students may have opportunities to participate in research projects, internships, and fieldwork that deepen their understanding of demographic processes and social issues. The program aims to develop critical thinking, data analysis skills, and a nuanced understanding of demographic challenges faced by contemporary societies. Graduates of the program are well-equipped for careers in government agencies, non-profit organizations, international development, urban planning, and academia. The university provides a vibrant academic environment with experienced faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and a wide network of alumni working in related fields. The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating both undergraduate and graduate students, with optional specializations in areas such as medical demography, environmental impacts on population, or socioeconomic analysis. Overall, the Demographic and Social Analysis program prepares students to analyze and address complex societal issues, contributing to informed policy-making and sustainable social development at local, national, and global levels.