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Your Ph.D. Path Begins Here
Join our close-knit community of academics working together to solve the issues that impact the world. Get started by connecting with our Graduate Program Administrative Coordinator, who can discuss first steps on beginning your graduate program here at the Norton School!
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Graduate Program in Human Development and Family Science
If you’re research-oriented and interested in pursuing college-level instruction, consider earning your Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science. The five-year doctoral program is designed to enrich knowledge in developmental, interpersonal and family theories while developing research skills and in-depth knowledge within a specialized content area chosen by the student.
Topics of Study
- Family Studies
- Human Development
- Family and Interpersonal Theory
- Research Methods
- Statistics
- Marginalized Families and Individuals
- Latinx Families
Program Benefits
- Work with professors involved in cutting-edge research, and with respected teaching reputations and successful grant histories
- Regular colloquium series featuring leading researchers in the field
- Grants to support thesis and dissertation research
- Strong record of fully supporting students on funded research or teaching assistantships
- Opportunities to author research in publications and presentations
- Excellent career placement record
- Financial support to attend national conferences and conduct research
- Leadership opportunities through student roundtables and participation in faculty meetings and committees
Research Opportunities
The doctoral program follows an apprenticeship model in which students work closely with faculty mentors. Faculty and students conduct research in HDFS' core research areas. The department’s active research initiatives are supported by the Frances McClelland Institute. Learn more about our core research areas and find more information on our world-class faculty.
Graduate Program Application Requirements
Learn more about the application requirements.
Applicants must include the following in their application:
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- CV
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Writing Sample
- If submitting a collaborative writing sample with multiple authors please indicate which sections you wrote
- Supplemental questions
Please note we do not require GRE scores and we will not review GRE scores that are sent.
Applicant finalists will be invited to a 20 minute zoom interview with a graduate committee member and the faculty advisor you are applying to work with.
Applications open on October 15th and the application deadline is January 1st. Application materials must be submitted through GradApp.
Applicants must also meet The University of Arizona Graduate College minimum requirements.
Career Options
Recent program graduates have taken positions as research scientists and professors in the fields of human development and family studies, family health, adolescent sexuality, criminal justice, psychology and anthropology.
Initial and subsequent career placement post-graduation since 2015 have included these employers:
Postdoctoral Research Positions:
- Arizona State University
- Columbia University, Teachers College
- Fordham University
- University of Arizona
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of Minnesota
- University of Texas, Austin
- University of Texas, Dallas
- Utah State University
Faculty Positions:
- Arizona State University
- Brigham Young University
- Cal State University, Sacramento
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Northern Arizona University
- Southern Utah University
- University of Arizona
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Utah State University
Industry Position:
- Administration for Children and Families
- American Institutes for Research
- Child Trends
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency (SAMHSA)
Upcoming Events
Your Ph.D. Path Begins Here
Join our close-knit community of academics working together to solve the issues that impact the world. Get started by connecting with our Graduate Program Administrative Coordinator, who can discuss first steps on beginning your graduate program here at the Norton School!
Learn more about the program Make an appointment