Human Development and Family Studies - PhD
About This Degree
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is housed in the College of Education and Human Services, which is in the top 2% of all graduate colleges of education in the nation and is ranked third in total research dollars received.
Most of our PhD graduates are currently teaching and/or conducting research at the university level. Some are employed at research organizations or in research extension positions.
What You Will Learn
The PhD in Human Development and Family Studies provides strong integrative training in theory, research methods, and statistics relevant to a primary and secondary concentrations in:
- Family Relations
- Human Development
- Marriage and Family Therapy
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services
Department: Human Development and Family Studies Department
USU Locations:
- Logan campus
Faculty: View profiles of faculty members on the department directory.
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Recent graduates have found employment as teachers and counselors in the following areas:
- Public schools
- Academic departments at colleges and universities
- Research centers
- Hospitals
- Head Start
- Child care programs
- Social services agencies
- Mental health agencies
- Private and clinical practice settings
- Extension services
- Financial institutions and agencies
- Any related agencies that teach about, study, or serve individuals, families, and consumers
Job Outlook
USU Locations
LOGAN CAMPUS
Admission
Admission Requirements
It is preferred that applicants have the equivalent of at least a minor in family, consumer, or child studies. However, competent students have been admitted from a variety of backgrounds. We require an upper-division statistics and upper-division research methods course of all incoming graduate students. If a student does not have a family, consumer, or child studies background, they may be required to take prerequisite courses depending on their experience.
Application Requirements:
- Complete the online application
- Pay the $55 application fee
- Submit an academic writing sample of at least five double-spaced pages in length. Examples may include a class paper, literature review, undergraduate or master's thesis, or an in-progress or published scholarly manuscript.
- Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
- Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
- Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
International students have additional admissions requirements.
Deadlines
The department has the following deadline:
- Fall semester – December 1
Financial Aid
The department tries to arrange funding for all first-year students. After the student’s first year, they must find their own funding, but various funding opportunities are still available.
A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.
Take The Next Step
How to Apply
View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.
Request Information
Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.
Cost and Funding
Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.
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