Training and Fellowships

Overview

The Population Research Center (PRC) administers a comprehensive program to train graduate students with interests in population studies. The training program is based on a mentor/apprentice model in which students gain practical research experience under the supervision of a PRC faculty research associate. Apprenticeship assignments are made in light of preferences and training needs of the student and the specific needs of the various funded research projects. Many students also volunteer or are employed as research assistants on projects, where they have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on current research, publications, and proposals. Trainees and other students affiliated with the PRC have access to office space in the University of Texas Tower and state of the art computing and library resources.

Since the PRC is not a degree-granting unit, students seeking a graduate degree with a specialization in population studies must apply through an academic department at the University of Texas. The Department of Sociology at UT is the most common academic department of our graduate students, and offers specializations in demography, health, family, education, religion, and other areas of central interest to population-related researchers. Graduate students from the Departments of Human Ecology, Economics, Anthropology, and others are also affiliated with the PRC.

PRC Student Trainee Program

Students with interests in population research (broadly defined) can benefit from affiliation with the PRC through the opportunity to become involved in the wide variety of funded research projects based there. The PRC is also able to provide trainees with access to specialized software and computer infrastructure, and when possible, fellowship support, space, and travel funds to attend professional meetings. Perhaps most importantly, the traineeship provides the opportunity to become part of a dynamic scholarly community consisting of students, faculty, and the Center's professional staff.

Fellowships and Support

The PRC has several fellowship opportunities available to students. In addition to the NICHD fellowship listed below, students affiliated with the PRC typically receive funding from other sources as well, including Departmental Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, University Fellowships, and funding from national and international agencies.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Health and Child Development Pre-doctoral Traineeship

Eligibility: New or currently enrolled graduate students (US Citizen/Permanent Resident) in a PhD program in the Department of Sociology, Human Ecology (Human Development and Family Sciences), or Economics.

Applications for NICHD Traineeships are generally due in early March.  See Related Links above for additional program details.

EDGE-SBE

A collaborative multi-university effort aimed at addressing the under-representation of Hispanics/Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans in graduate programs in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBEs). The National Science Foundation is providing the funding for our joint efforts to recruit students interested in careers in academia and in government. See Related Links above for additional program details.

About PRC Students

Current PRC students have varied research interests that focus on both domestic and international population topics and utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods; topics include poverty and child well-being, religion and health, population and the environment, fertility, family structure, and migration and development. See the People page for profiles for current students' profiles.

PRC graduates are employed at a variety of institutions. Many hold academic appointments at top US and international universities and colleges, while others are employed in research positions with government agencies and population organizations such as the United Nations, the Population Council, the Urban Institute, RAND, the Guttmacher Institute, and the US Bureau of Census.