Human Development and Family Science, PhD

Students in discussion

Doctorate in Human Development and Family Science

The Human Development and Family Science PhD is a research doctoral program designed to promote breadth, depth and integration of knowledge in human development and family science. Doctoral students collaborate with faculty and other graduate students on research projects, which integrate the theoretical and empirical knowledge bases of developmental science and family science and investigate key processes associated with risk and resilience. Graduates develop into scholars who conduct high-quality basic and applied research, provide relevant instruction, develop effective interventions and contribute to the development of informed public policy that reduces risk and enhances resilience within individuals and among families across cultures and generations.

Apply Request more information

Curriculum

This 72-hour doctoral program can be done straight from a bachelor’s degree or after completing a master’s degree. The first 30 hours of the doctoral program confers an in-flight master’s degree in developmental and family science. Students can pick either a developmental science or family science option for advanced study.

Doctoral coursework includes:

Lifespan Development and Family Theory (6 credit hours)
Thesis or thesis equivalent project
Research Methods (6 credit hours)
Statistics and Analysis (9-11 credit hours)
Committee Approved Elective Courses (30 credit hours)
Dissertation research (15 credit hours)

We prepare students for academic careers

Course information

Graduate Student Handbook

Research and Faculty

Our nationally known faculty are engaged in a cross section of collaborative research focused on risk and resilience. The department is home to the Center for Family Resilience, a community resource that translates faculty research about families. Faculty are successful in earning external grants and contracts that often fund graduate research assistantships.

Meet our faculty

Article: "Family Resilience: Moving into the third wave"

Co-Parenting for Resilience

Institute for Developmental Disabilities

College research initiatives

Admissions

Applications are accepted twice a year with the following deadlines:

Fall Priority: December 1
Fall Final: December 15
Spring: October 1

To apply to the PhD in Human Development and Family Science, please submit the following:
Teacher and student

Graduate College application
Due to COVID-19, the Department of Human Development and Family Science is waiving the GRE test score requirement as part of the application process for spring and fall 2022 admission.
Official academic transcripts (3.0 minimum GPA required)
Letters of recommendation
Statement of professional goals
Resume or CV

Graduate student resources

Cost & Assistance

Students may be eligible for tuition waivers or graduate assistantships from the department. Currently enrolled students are also eligible for scholarships offered through the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Assistantships and support

Cost

Financing graduate school

Scholarships