Dr. Debra Umberson

Professor

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Biography

Debra Umberson is the Centennial Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, where she also serves as the Director of the Center for Aging Population Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and is an affiliate of the Population Research Center, with a courtesy appointment in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Her research primarily focuses on the social factors influencing health and well-being across the life course, emphasizing the significance of social relationships, social isolation, and the dynamics of relationship loss. She is recognized as a leading expert on how spouses influence one another's health-related behaviors and healthcare processes, comparing experiences across same-sex and different-sex couples. Additionally, Dr. Umberson studies racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes related to family member mortality and is currently writing a book on how the death of a child impacts parents’ lifelong health.

Research Interests

Courses

SOC 397D • Publishing Papers Sociology 44185 • Spring 2022

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.