Human Development and Family Sciences, Ph.D.

About the Human Development and Family Sciences Doctoral Program

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Sciences program may also complete the master’s program requirements with the post-baccalaureate Ph.D. option. Doctoral students take two theories courses (Theories of Human Development and Family Theories), research methods, qualitative methods, and an introductory course to HDFS. In recognition of the methodological and statistical sophistication of the field, Ph.D. students take four quantitative statistics courses. In recognition of a likely future career as college faculty, they spend two semesters in a college teaching practicum. Students are also required to (1) take the lead on a research project prior to becoming a doctoral candidate and (2) complete a dissertation with at least 12 hours of dissertation research. At least eight courses (24 hours) must be related to the student’s specialization, and as many as four courses may be taken outside of the HDFS department. Up to 12 transfer hours may be applied toward doctoral program requirements upon approval of the student’s committee and the Graduate School.