PhD Human Development and Family Science at University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Programme overview

The PhD in HDFS provides in-depth study of theory, methods and empirical knowledge, preparing researchers to design and evaluate scholarship, intervention and prevention programs that promote development and well-being across the lifespan. It prepares graduates for roles in education, research, government and nonprofit agencies.

Faculty: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences | Duration: Minimum 72 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's | Study mode: full-time | Location: Knoxville, TN, United States

What you will study

Coursework includes core courses HDFS 510, 550 and 552, a 15-hour HDFS specialization, 9 hours of statistics and analytics, research methods (HDFS 570 plus an advanced qualitative, longitudinal or survey course), 6 outside electives, HDFS 672 Professional Seminar and 24 hours of HDFS 600 dissertation. Students pass written and oral comprehensive exams before the dissertation.

Career pathways

Education, research, government and nonprofit leadership roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants submit the online Graduate Admissions application and fee, a departmental application and three Graduate Rating Forms. Prerequisites: a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent, the 12-hour HDFS master's foundation core, and 3 credit hours of computationally based graduate statistics. Exceptional applicants with only an undergraduate degree may be considered for direct admission if they have relevant research experience, focused research interests and a strong academic record; they complete the thesis-based MS en route.

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.

International graduate applicants on F and J visas: Fall online submission April 15 and file completion May 15; Spring June 15 and October 1; Summer October 15 and February 15. Departmental deadlines may be earlier.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.utk.edu/

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