Florida State University - Department of Family and Child Sciences
Ph.D. in Human Science, major in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS)

Tallahassee, USA

DEGREE TYPE

PhD

DURATION

3 up to

5 years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About : The Ph.D. in Human Science with a major in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) offers an in-depth study on human growth and family dynamics. This program prepares students for advanced research, emphasizing the application of theories and methodologies within the context of human development and familial relationships.

Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue a variety of career paths, including roles as researchers, university faculty, or practitioners in social services. Opportunities exist in government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions, focusing on family welfare, child development, and community services.

In the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Ph.D. program, we train students to become the next generation of scholars, university faculty, and researchers. Our graduates have successfully obtained positions of their choice in some of the nation’s leading academic institutions.

The HDFS curriculum addresses relational and family process in contemporary families, such as cohabiting couples, families of divorce and remarriage, military families, and foster families. Faculty are noted for their study of children’s friendships, couple dynamics, intimate partner violence, parenting practices, racial socialization, among other topics.

Research Training

Doctoral students have access to the entire departmental faculty as part of their education and professional development. Students select their major professor and supervisory committee based on areas of scholarly interest and expertise. The doctoral supervisory committee provides mentorship throughout the doctoral experience. Doctoral students have access to computer laboratories, statistical software, and on-campus and remote access library resources.

Degree Completion

For students admitted to a doctoral program after completing a Master’s degree, a preliminary examination is usually completed within 3 years but no longer than 5 years from beginning coursework.

When students complete coursework, they then complete a preliminary examination. Upon successful completion of the exam, the student enters into “candidacy,” where original research is undertaken, culminating in a dissertation. Although some students complete their dissertation within a year, others take longer. The period of candidacy is limited to 5 years.

We make every attempt to provide financial support to full-time enrolled students through Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships. Students typically provide 20 hours of service to the department through these assignments.

M.S./Ph.D. Option

Students can enroll in the Ph.D. program in Human Sciences with a concentration in Human Development and Family Science directly following the completion of a bachelor’s degree. In this degree program, students earn an M.S. in Family and Child Science as they progress toward a Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a concentration in Human Development and Family Science.

Curriculum

Required Core Courses
HOE 6366 Research Best Practices in Human Sciences
CHD 5617 Professional Development in FCS
FAD 5481 College Teaching in Family Sciences
FAD 5942 Supervised Teaching
CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development
FAD 6436 Theories of Family Science
FAD 6930r Special Topics in MFT: Family Diversity
- HOE 6366 Research Best Practices in Human Sciences
- CHD 5617 Professional Development in FCS
- FAD 5481 College Teaching in Family Sciences
- FAD 5942 Supervised Teaching
- CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development
- FAD 6436 Theories of Family Science
- FAD 6930r Special Topics in MFT: Family Diversity
Required Research and Statistics
CHD 5915 Methods of Research
FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences
FAD 6935r Special Topics in FCS: Qualitative Methods in FCS
FAD 5912r Supervised Research
FAD 6917 Research Methods in FCS
FAD 8964r Preliminary Doctoral Exam
FAD 6980 Dissertation
FAD 8985r Dissertation Defense Examination
- CHD 5915 Methods of Research
- FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences
- FAD 6935r Special Topics in FCS: Qualitative Methods in FCS
- FAD 5912r Supervised Research
- FAD 6917 Research Methods in FCS
- FAD 8964r Preliminary Doctoral Exam
- FAD 6980 Dissertation
- FAD 8985r Dissertation Defense Examination
Data Analytic Electives (examples)
COM 5317 Content Analysis in Communication Research
EDF 5402 Adv. Topics in Analysis of Variance Apps.
EDF 5406 Multivariate Analysis Applications
EDF 5409 Causal Modeling
EDF 5410 Nonparametric Analysis Applications
SOW 6407 Survey Research Methods
STA 5179 Applied Survival Analysis
STA 5856 Time Series and Forecasting Methods
- COM 5317 Content Analysis in Communication Research
- EDF 5402 Adv. Topics in Analysis of Variance Apps.
- EDF 5406 Multivariate Analysis Applications
- EDF 5409 Causal Modeling
- EDF 5410 Nonparametric Analysis Applications
- SOW 6407 Survey Research Methods
- STA 5179 Applied Survival Analysis
- STA 5856 Time Series and Forecasting Methods
Elective Courses (examples)
CHD 5618 Policy Development and Analysis in FCS
CHD 5266 Advanced Child Development
CHD 5919 Grant Writing in FCS
FAD 5263 Advanced Family Studies
FAD 5900 Readings in FCS (topics vary)
FAD 5906 Directed Individual Study (topics vary)
FAD 6930r Special Topics in MFT: Intervention Research
FAD 6916 Outcome Research in MFT
- CHD 5618 Policy Development and Analysis in FCS
- CHD 5266 Advanced Child Development
- CHD 5919 Grant Writing in FCS
- FAD 5263 Advanced Family Studies
- FAD 5900 Readings in FCS (topics vary)
- FAD 5906 Directed Individual Study (topics vary)
- FAD 6930r Special Topics in MFT: Intervention Research
- FAD 6916 Outcome Research in MFT