Family and Human Development, PhD
Health, children, human
Enjoy a flexible model of training with renowned faculty who provide professional opportunities. Specializations are available in social and emotional development, measurement and statistical analysis, and diversity science.
The PhD program in family and human development is devoted to the study of families, children and youth. The program's research, teaching and service have direct meaning in the lives of children and adults and for their families and communities.
The faculty share a common commitment to high-quality research that both increases the basic understanding of human and family development and has the potential to contribute to the improvement of the lives of children and families.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
85 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (1 credit hour) Other Requirements (26 credit hours) Research (6 credit hours) Electives (40 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Post-master's (students entering after the master's degree): When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this credential. Of the 55 credit hours of the post-master's degree program, 12 credit hours are for the dissertation. Electives should be chosen in consultation with and approval of the advisor. Electives may be selected within or outside the Sanford School. All elective courses must be 500 level or higher. Substitutions for all courses listed under other requirements may be made per department approval. For the diversity course requirement, students should refer to the department for a list of approved courses. For the advanced methods or statistics requirement, students take two courses with content that advances beyond Quantitative Methods I and II.
FAS 503 Academic Professional Development (1)
CDE 531 Theoretical Issues in Child Development (3)
FAS 500 Research Methods (3)
FAS 513 Introduction to Regression and Linear Models (4)
FAS 514 Advanced Regression and Nonlinear Models (4)
FAS 531 Theoretical Issues in Family Sciences (3)
two graduate-level courses in advanced methods or statistics (6)
one graduate-level diversity course (3)
FAS or CDE 592 Research (6)
FAS or CDE 799 Dissertation (12)
Postbaccalaureate (students entering after the bachelor's degree): Of the 85 credit hours for a postbaccalaureate program, six credit hours are dedicated to an empirical project, and 12 credit hours are for the dissertation.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- a resume or curriculum vitae
- statement of goals relevant to the doctoral program
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement must be four to six pages, double-spaced, and address the applicant's professional goals, the applicant's strengths that will enable them to succeed in the program, a detailed description of past research experience, relevant professional experiences or responsibilities, and specific personal research interests. The applicant also must identify two or three faculty members whose research interests match their own and explain why they are good matches.
Three letters of recommendation are required. These must include at least one from an instructor at the institution where the applicant completed their undergraduate or graduate work. The letters should be from people who know the applicant in a professional or academic capacity; letters from family members or friends do not meet this criterion.
Students should see the program website for full application deadlines.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Apply their understanding of theoretical perspectives to the field of child and family development in their final project and/or final exam.
- Apply research methods, including study design, measurement, and analyses in their final exam and dissertation.
- Able to implement a major independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the field of family and human development.
Graduates possess knowledge and skills necessary for promoting healthy individual and family development as they study the factors that promote successful relationships and positive outcomes for individuals, families and communities across the life span. Graduates often pursue careers working with children, youth and adults in human, social and government agencies or take on leadership roles as researchers in a university, in a public or privately funded agency, in an industry or in government.
Career examples include:
- community support program officials
- government agency administrators and professionals
- instructors
- nonprofit organization administrators
- research professionals
Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics
|
SS 144
graduatesanford@asu.edu
480-965-6875
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
