Human Development & Family Studies, PhD
Program Overview
Human Development & Family Studies, PhD
The HDFS doctoral program prepares students to be researchers, educators, policy developers, or professionals who develop, evaluate, and implement programs for children, families, and communities. Students who enter the doctoral program without a master’s will complete one as the first part of their doctoral requirements.
Admission
Admission is based upon both academic record and the applicant's fit with faculty research programs. We examine grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, writing sample, and a personal statement. GRE scores are optional. International applicants from non-English speaking countries must have an official paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 103 on the internet based test. We will not admit anyone with a GPA less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All applicants are required to have previous coursework in a relevant area of social or behavioral sciences. Test scores should be taken no more than two years prior to application. Our application deadline is December 15 for possible admission the following fall semester. We admit students for fall enrollment only.
Graduate Teaching Experience
We do not require our students to teach but recognize the importance of teacher development for their future marketability. Thus, we make teaching assistantships available and encourage students to pursue a variety of teaching experiences as well as mentorship from experienced instructors. We also encourage our students to utilize the variety of teacher training resources that are available across campus.
Faculty Research Interests
Faculty information is available.
Centers, Programs, and Institutes
- Child Care Resource Service
- Child Development Lab
- Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program
- Family Resiliency Center
- University of Illinois Extension
Facilities and Resources
- Bevier Hall
- Child Development Lab
- Doris Kelly Christopher Hall
- Early Child Development Lab
Financial Aid
We are committed to funding all of our students who are making timely progress. The duration and amount of our commitment varies by program. Funding may include fellowships, research assistantships, and/or teaching assistantships. These opportunities typically include stipends and tuition waivers. In some cases, fees are also waived. All applicants are automatically considered for all department funding opportunities; there is no separate application process.
Degree Requirements
Those entering the doctoral program without a master's degree will complete one within their first two years in the doctoral program. Students entering with a non-thesis master's will be required to complete a "thesis equivalency" paper within the first two years of their doctoral program. Requirements for the Ph.D. include 64 graduate hours beyond the M.S. degree, completion of the written and oral qualifying examination, defense of the written dissertation proposal, and a final thesis defense upon completion of the dissertation.
Course List
| Course List Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theory Courses | 8 |
- HDFS 501: Human Development Theories
- HDFS 521: Family Theories Substantive Courses |
- Select four of the following:
- HDFS 503: Social-Emotional Development
- HDFS 505: Advanced Adolescence
- HDFS 523: Ethnic Families
- HDFS 526: Intimate Partner Violence
- HDFS 527: Family Resiliency
- HDFS 528: Parenting
- HDFS 533: Community In American Society
- HDFS 534: Neighborhoods and Human Dev
- HDFS 539: Youth, Culture and Society
- HDFS 540: Gender & Sexuality
- HDFS 541: Inequalities In A Diverse Society
- HDFS 543: Ethnography Urban Communities
- HDFS 561: Child and Family Program Dev
- HDFS 562: Child & Family Program Eval
- HDFS 595: Seminar
- RST 586: Health and Leisure in Recreation, Sport and Tourism Quantitative Methods | 12
- HDFS 590: Advanced Research Methods
- HDFS 594: Intermed Statistical Analysis
- HDFS 597: Advanced Statistical Analysis (Students may substitute another advanced statistics course for HDFS 597) Qualitative Methods | 8
- Select two of the following:
- HDFS 591: Qualitative Methods (Student must select from HDFS 591 E and/or HDFS 591 G)
- HDFS 582: Discourse Analysis in the Social Sciences Professional Development | 28
- HDFS 500: Professional Development
- HDFS 599: Thesis Research Elective Courses (required hours depend upon content of M.S. degree) | 0-16 Total Hours | 64
Other Requirements
- MS equivalent, or student will earn MS in first two years of PhD program
- Qualifying Exam Required: Yes
- Preliminary Exam Required: Yes
- Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required: Yes
- Dissertation Deposit Required: Yes
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
HDFS Graduate Student Learning Outcomes
- HDFS graduate students will demonstrate subject matter expertise, including theoretical and substantive expertise in a specialized area
- Recall key principles, theories, and concepts used in HDFS
- Apply key principles, theories, and concepts to the study of HDFS
- Critique current theories and empirical knowledge regarding HDFS
- Evaluate current knowledge in a specific substantive area using two distinct theories
- Identify knowledge gaps in a specific substantive area
- Pose questions to remedy said gap
- HDFS graduate students will demonstrate social science methodology expertise
- Apply key principles, concepts and analytic strategies used in quantitative research
- Apply key principles, concepts and analytic strategies used in qualitative research
- Use data management and analysis software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, MAXQDA; HLM, R)
- Evaluate the methodological strengths and limitations of empirical studies
- Design and defend a complete research project
- Complete an IRB application
- Complete an ethics certificate relevant to project
- Conduct a research project as per protocol and ethical standards
- HDFS graduate students will demonstrate professional competence skills
- Identify career and professional goals
- Develop leadership skills (e.g., through formal positions; informal mentoring of undergraduates or new graduate students; representing the department; participation in class or lab teamwork)
- Develop professional network to support career and professional goals (e.g., relationships with mentors; participation in professional organizations)
- Create and maintain a CV and other job-related materials (e.g., cover letter; teaching philosophy; research statement)
- Exhibit professional and ethical behavior
- Make decisions and solve problems
- Collaborate to achieve group goals
- HDFS graduate students will demonstrate scholarly communication skills in English
- Use effective written communication 1. Use appropriate grammar and writing mechanics 2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of APA style 3. Respond to constructive criticism (e.g., revision process, peer review) 4. Produce written work that is organized, logical, and fully developed
- Use effective oral communication 1. Clearly and logically present ideas aloud through presentation to class or group
- Use effective visual communication 1. Use clear and logical charts, graphs, and other visual displays to present ideas
- HDFS graduate students will demonstrate a critical and reflexive orientation toward and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion
- Critically examine one’s own beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes, and biases regarding diverse individuals and families
- Reflect on one’s own interconnected positions, privileges, and disadvantages across multiple contexts
- Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion in one’s own work (written, oral, and visual communication)