Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences

The Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Sciences is designed to prepare the next generation of scholars for positions as researchers, professors, and leaders in early childhood, human development, family sciences, human services, and related fields. The program emphasizes risk and resilience, multi-cultural issues, disabilities, and prevention and intervention, with a focus on applying theory and research to practice as they relate to human development and family systems.

Program Overview

Course work is designed to provide a strong background in the theoretical and empirical knowledge of family sciences, human development, and research methods. Training in applied research and service learning experiences are integrated into the curriculum. Doctoral students in HDFS complete formal scholarly work or research through the dissertation. It is essential to begin considering research interests early in the program so that subsequent course work can reinforce that area of interest.

Funding

Our PhD students are typically funded for four years, and many complete their degree during this time period. Funding packages include a monthly stipend, health insurance, and conference travel to present papers. The college and the university also have additional honor scholarships and fellowships which are awarded on a competitive basis. Funding to continue research apprenticeships during the summer are also available.

Areas of Study

Doctoral students can study in three primary areas:

• Early Childhood Policy & Systems
• Families (Education, Health, and Human Services Across the Life Span and in Community Contexts)
• Social Determinants of Health (Wellness, Stigma, Mental Health)

Why Choose the University of Delaware?

The program offers an interdisciplinary approach with extensive mentoring, allowing students to gain in-depth exposure to research with faculty from various fields, including developmental psychology, family studies, education, anthropology, and public policy. The small program size enables doctoral students to receive individualized attention from faculty members. Policy-relevant experiences with applied research are also available, providing students with first-hand experiences in settings such as New Directions Early Head Start, the Lab School, and the National Leadership Consortium on Development Disabilities.

Assistantship Opportunities

We have been successful in supporting full-time doctoral students with assistantships that offer full funding and tuition waivers. These assistantships typically involve providing support to faculty research projects or serving as teaching assistants. Some doctoral students independently teach courses as part of their assistantships or participate in undergraduate advising, which are particularly marketable skills for students seeking faculty jobs after graduation.

Student Outcomes

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers, with one alumni stating, "I knew I wanted to be in a program that was going to afford me research and teaching experience. UD has been very influential in shaping who I am as a professional, and also who I am as a person."

Admissions Requirements

• Application Deadline: December 15
• Transcripts of all previous academic work: Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 with a major GPA of at least 3.25; Graduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
• Three letters of reference
• A personal statement essay that demonstrates alignment between the candidate's statement of objectives and interests and the department's capacity and available mentors
• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants whose primary language is not English, with minimum acceptable scores of 100 for the Internet-based TOEFL and 7.0 for the IELTS
• Applicants must participate in an interview with admissions committee members, in person or via Skype or Zoom
• Note: The GRE requirement is waived for the current academic year, but generally, admitted students are expected to have scores of 150 on the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections of the GRE, and 4.0 on the analytical writing section

Program Requirements

This program requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 42 credits for students entering with a master's degree. Core requirement courses include:

• HDFS 601: Theories of Human Development
• HDFS 803: Human Development in Lifespan Perspective
• HDFS 815 (HDFS 615): Research Issues and Designs
• EDUC 856: Introduction to Statistical Inference
• EDUC 812: Regression and Structural Equation Modeling
• 600/800 level: Qualitative or Quantitative Methods
• HDFS 621: Family Studies I: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives
• HDFS 855: Family Studies II: Analysis and Critical Issues
• 600/800 level: Courses in Area of Emphasis
• HDFS 969: Dissertation

Funding, Scholarships & Awards

Our full-time Ph.D. students are typically funded for up to four years, and many complete their degree during this time period. Funding packages for Ph.D. students include a monthly stipend, tuition scholarship, health insurance, and some conference travel to present papers. Ph.D. students are also eligible to be nominated for several college and university competitive merit-based financial awards. Funding to continue research apprenticeships during the summer may also be available.