PhD in Human Development and Family Studies

The Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies Program at UNCG focuses on the intersection of human development, family processes, and socio-cultural context. A defining focus of our program is an emphasis on understanding development and family relationships in socio-cultural context and the application of strength-based approaches to the study of diverse children and families.

Students complete foundational coursework in human development, family studies, race, class, and culture, research methods, and theories of Human Development and Family Studies.

Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies Program Distinctions

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Human Development and Family Studies will be part of a nationally recognized program.

• The Ph.D. program was ranked No. 24 nationally by Niche.com in 2025.
• The HDFS Ph.D. program at UNCG is the only doctoral program in Human Development and Family Studies in the UNC system and the state of North Carolina.

The Ph.D. Student Experience in Human Development and Family Studies

Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies students gain experience in research and college-level instruction that provides professional training and skills.

• Students and faculty are invested in a collaborative and rigorous learning community.
• Students use cutting edge, strengths-based research methods and analyses to study the intersection of human development, family processes, and socio-cultural context.
• Through an individualized mentoring approach, students train with experienced and supportive faculty to conduct research related to students’ area of specialization and career goals.
• Students gain experience in college-level instruction through individualized teaching practicums with HDFS faculty known for exemplary teaching.
• The Ph.D. degree requires 78-84 credit hours for students entering with a bachelor’s degree or 45-51 credit hours for students entering with a master’s degree. Entering doctoral students who have completed a master’s degree at another institution or department must fulfill (or have comparable substitutions for) all of the requirements of the HDFS M.S. degree program. These requirements must be fulfilled in addition to completing the 45-51 credits required for the Ph.D.
• Students can tailor their program with a variety of specialization courses including:
  • Adolescence
  • African American Families
  • Applied Longitudinal Analysis
  • Child Development in Cultural Context
  • Children, Poverty, and Public Policy
  • Cognitive Development in Young Children
  • Contemporary Research in Early Childhood Education
  • Families and Health
  • Immigrant Families
  • Measurement Analyses and Methods in HDFS
  • Risk and Resilience in Children and Families
  • Social Justice Research with Diverse Families
  • Work and Family.

After Graduating with a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies

Ph.D. graduates have a 100% job placement record and have entered a variety of professions and positions, including: 

• Postdoctoral fellow studying in a wide range of topics
• Senior research scientist
• Research project manager
• Policy analyst
• Program officer for federal agencies and grant-making foundations
• Evaluation specialist or director
• Non-profit administrator
• University professor in fields such as:
  • HDFS
  • Developmental psychology
  • Early childhood education
  • African American studies
  • Counseling
  • Human service studies
  • Health sciences
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Social work

Learn more about our alumni.

Apply to the Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies Program

Applications to the Ph.D. Program are accepted once a year and are due no later than Dec.15th. In addition to materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit the following:

• 1-3 page professional statement explaining:
  • Reasons for pursuing graduate study in HDFS
  • Previous experience and training in HDFS or related fields
  • Professional goals
  • Primary areas of research interest 
  • Faculty members with whom you are most interested in working
• An academic writing sample (e.g. senior year paper, literature review paper, honor’s thesis, master’s thesis, or a manuscript published or accepted/submitted for publication).