PhD Human Development at University of Rochester

Programme overview

A PhD in Education: Human Development preparing graduates for academic positions at universities and other higher education settings and research positions in government agencies and educational organizations.

Faculty: Warner School of Education and Human Development | Department: Human Development | Duration: Minimum 90 credits (up to 30 transferable); minimum one year full-time residency | Intake: Start in any semester; PhD applications open Fall 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Rochester, NY, United States

What you will study

Focus areas include youth healthy development, wellness in older populations, the mind-body-society interplay, chronic stress, engaged scholarship, and advanced qualitative and quantitative methods, with research apprenticeships with faculty teams or at the University of Rochester Medical Center and other units.

Career pathways

Faculty positions in master's and doctoral human development and psychology programmes, research associate and faculty roles in related fields, and work as independent consultants or program evaluators.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme requirement: prior master's degree in human development, psychology, sociology, public health, education, gerontology, counseling, creative arts therapy, social work or a related field; highly successful undergraduates with some research experience may be considered for direct admission. Warner School graduate applications (doctoral): three recommendation letters (at least one preferably from a former professor); 2-4 page statement of purpose; resume or CV; writing sample of at least five pages; transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; GRE not required for many programmes (doctoral applicants seeking certain university-wide scholarships are encouraged to submit); TOEFL or IELTS required for international applicants with a non-U.S. Priority deadline November 1, 2026; start any semester.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Start in any semester; PhD applications open Fall 2026

Duration: Minimum 90 credits (up to 30 transferable); minimum one year full-time residency

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