Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 General Catalog

Human Development and Family Studies - PhD

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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Students in the PhD program complete a major research dissertation that makes a significant contribution to the theoretical and empirical knowledge in human development and/or family studies. Students can be admitted into the program with a Bachelor of Science degree if they have adequate research experience (post-BS PhD), or after they complete a Master of Science (or Master of Arts, with additional research experience; post-MS PhD).

Areas of concentration include Human Development, Family Relations, and Marriage and Family Therapy (the MFT concentration is only available for students with an existing master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy).

In addition to coursework and the dissertation, students demonstrate research, teaching, and professional competencies, and pass a comprehensive exam. For more specific information, see the Graduate Student Handbook at: cehs.usu.edu/hdfs/graduate/handbook.

In addition to the department’s requirements, the following are the School of Graduate Studies guidelines and are the minimum requirements for students to complete a degree.

Degree Verification

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.

Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower

Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree. Graduate Students may earn no more than two “C’s” in their courses.

Course Number Acceptability

The Program of Study for a master’s degree or a doctoral degree if the student has a master’s degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.

Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.

Matriculation Start Semester

A doctorate must be completed within eight years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.

Coursework Validity

Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.

Dissertation Research Credits - 7970

A minimum of 12 credits is required.

- Required for all defense degrees:

Successful defense and submission of the dissertation to the library.

Doctoral forms:
- Approval of academic forms required for doctoral students by the School of Graduate Studies.
  - Supervisory Committee
  - Program of Study
  - Application for Candidacy
  - Appointment for Examination
  - Record of Examination
  - Dissertation Format & Style
  - Authorship and Copyright
  - Department, SGS, and library review and approval
  - Graduation Check Request

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies - MS to PhD (60 credits)

Core Requirements (36 credits)

Foundations
HDFS 7010 - Family Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7020 - Human Development Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7080 - Professional Development 3 credit(s) (Course will be offered each fall to the second-year doctoral cohort)
HDFS 7980 - Graduate Research Practicum 1-9 credit(s) (3 credits required)
Research scope and outputs to be determined by the student in consultation with the student’s major professor, Supervisory Committee, and/or practicum mentor.
Introductory Methods and Statistics
HDFS 6031 - Research Methodology 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6600 - Statistical Foundations 3 credit(s)
EDUC 7610 - Regression Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7032 - Multivariate and Dyadic Data Analysis in Human Development and Family Studies 3 credit(s) (Prerequisites: HDFS 6031 , EDUC 6600 /PSY 6600 , and EDUC 7610 /PSY 7610 , or equivalents as approved by Graduate Program Committee)
Research
HDFS 7970 - Dissertation Research 1-9 credit(s) (12 credits required)

Pick Two (6 credits)

Family Relations
HDFS 6070 - Family Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6040 - Economics and Financial Literacy in the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7220 - Interpersonal Family Relationships 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7910 - Parenting 3 credit(s)
Human Development
HDFS 6060 - Human Development Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7510 - Development in Infancy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7520 - Development in Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7530 - Development in Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7540 - Adulthood and Aging 3 credit(s)

Pick Four (12 credits)

Contemporary Issues
HDFS 7210 - Cultural Diversity in Families 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7240 - Race, Gender, and Social Justice 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7900 - Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1-3 credit(s)
Offerings will be determined by the HDFS department head and faculty member.
Advanced Methods and Statistics
EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6800 - Mixed Methods Research 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7034 - Extant/Secondary Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7100 - Meta-Analysis and Literature Review 3 credit(s)
PSY 7650 - Multilevel and Marginal Models for the Social Sciences 3 credit(s)
PSY 7760 - Structural Equation Modeling 3 credit(s)
PSY 7770 - Longitudinal Data Analysis 3 credit(s)

Electives (6 credits)

May include any of the “pick two” or “pick four” courses, or classes from other departments as approved by the Supervisory Committee.

EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6800 - Mixed Methods Research 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6040 - Economics and Financial Literacy in the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6060 - Human Development Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6070 - Family Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7034 - Extant/Secondary Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7100 - Meta-Analysis and Literature Review 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7210 - Cultural Diversity in Families 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7220 - Interpersonal Family Relationships 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7240 - Race, Gender, and Social Justice 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7510 - Development in Infancy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7520 - Development in Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7530 - Development in Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7540 - Adulthood and Aging 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7900 - Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1-3 credit(s)
HDFS 7910 - Parenting 3 credit(s)
PSY 7650 - Multilevel and Marginal Models for the Social Sciences 3 credit(s)
PSY 7760 - Structural Equation Modeling 3 credit(s)
PSY 7770 - Longitudinal Data Analysis 3 credit(s)

Required Orientation Courses

USU 7920 - Teaching Assistant Workshop 0 credit(s)
USU 7920 is required for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Course credit does not count on Program of Study toward degree requirements. (International students must also take IELI 7920 )
HDFS 6960 - HDFS Graduate Orientation 1 credit(s)
HDFS 6961 - HDFS Teaching Assistantship Orientation 1 credit(s)
Attendance is required in HDFS 6960 and 6961 for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Students will not register for these courses. Course credit does not count on the Program of Study toward degree requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies-MFT Concentration (60 credits)

Elective (3 credits)

May include courses from either of the “pick two” categories, or classes from other departments as approved by the Supervisory Committee.

EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6800 - Mixed Methods Research 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6040 - Economics and Financial Literacy in the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7010 - Family Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7020 - Human Development Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7034 - Extant/Secondary Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7100 - Meta-Analysis and Literature Review 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7210 - Cultural Diversity in Families 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7220 - Interpersonal Family Relationships 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7240 - Race, Gender, and Social Justice 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7510 - Development in Infancy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7520 - Development in Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7530 - Development in Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7540 - Adulthood and Aging 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7900 - Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1-3 credit(s)
HDFS 7910 - Parenting 3 credit(s)
PSY 7650 - Multilevel and Marginal Models for the Social Sciences 3 credit(s)
PSY 7760 - Structural Equation Modeling 3 credit(s)
PSY 7770 - Longitudinal Data Analysis 3 credit(s)

Required Orientation Courses

USU 7920 - Teaching Assistant Workshop 0 credit(s)
USU 7920 is required for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Course credit does not count on Program of Study toward degree requirements. (International students must also take IELI 7920 )
HDFS 6960 - HDFS Graduate Orientation 1 credit(s)
HDFS 6961 - HDFS Teaching Assistantship Orientation 1 credit(s)
Attendance is required in HDFS 6960 and 6961 for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Students will not register for these courses. Course credit does not count on the Program of Study toward degree requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies-BS to PhD (78 credits)

Core Requirements (48 credits)

Foundations
HDFS 6060 - Human Development Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7020 - Human Development Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6070 - Family Theories 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7010 - Family Research and Application 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7080 - Professional Development 3 credit(s)
Course will be offered each fall to the second-year doctoral cohort
HDFS 7980 - Graduate Research Practicum 1-9 credit(s) (9 credits required)
Research scope and outputs to be determined by the student in consultation with the student’s major professor, Supervisory Committee, and/or practicum mentor.
Introductory Methods and Statistics
EDUC 6600 - Statistical Foundations 3 credit(s)
EDUC 7610 - Regression Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6031 - Research Methodology 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7032 - Multivariate and Dyadic Data Analysis in Human Development and Family Studies 3 credit(s)
Prerequisites: HDFS 6031, EDUC 6600/PSY 6600, and EDUC 7610/PSY 7610, or equivalents as approved by Graduate Program Committee.
Research
HDFS 7970 - Dissertation Research 1-9 credit(s) (12 credits required)

Pick Three (9 credits)

Family Relations
HDFS 6040 - Economics and Financial Literacy in the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7220 - Interpersonal Family Relationships 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7910 - Parenting 3 credit(s)
Human Development
HDFS 7510 - Development in Infancy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7520 - Development in Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7530 - Development in Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7540 - Adulthood and Aging 3 credit(s)

Pick Five (15 credits)

Contemporary Issues
HDFS 7210 - Cultural Diversity in Families 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7240 - Race, Gender, and Social Justice 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7900 - Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1-3 credit(s) (Repeatable for credit)
Offerings will be determined by the HDFS department head and faculty member.
Advanced Methods and Statistics
EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6800 - Mixed Methods Research 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7034 - Extant/Secondary Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7100 - Meta-Analysis and Literature Review 3 credit(s)
PSY 7650 - Multilevel and Marginal Models for the Social Sciences 3 credit(s)
PSY 7760 - Structural Equation Modeling 3 credit(s)
PSY 7770 - Longitudinal Data Analysis 3 credit(s)

Electives (6 credits)

May include any of the “pick three” or “pick five” courses, or classes from other departments as approved by the Supervisory Committee.

EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6800 - Mixed Methods Research 3 credit(s)
HDFS 6040 - Economics and Financial Literacy in the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7034 - Extant/Secondary Data Analysis 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7100 - Meta-Analysis and Literature Review 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7210 - Cultural Diversity in Families 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7220 - Interpersonal Family Relationships 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7240 - Race, Gender, and Social Justice 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7510 - Development in Infancy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7520 - Development in Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7530 - Development in Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7540 - Adulthood and Aging 3 credit(s)
HDFS 7900 - Topical Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 1-3 credit(s)
HDFS 7910 - Parenting 3 credit(s)
PSY 7650 - Multilevel and Marginal Models for the Social Sciences 3 credit(s)
PSY 7760 - Structural Equation Modeling 3 credit(s)
PSY 7770 - Longitudinal Data Analysis 3 credit(s)

Required Orientation Courses

HDFS 6960 - HDFS Graduate Orientation 1 credit(s)
HDFS 6961 - HDFS Teaching Assistantship Orientation 1 credit(s)
Attendance is required in HDFS 6960 and 6961 for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Students will not register for these courses. Course credit does not count on the Program of Study toward degree requirements.
USU 7920 - Teaching Assistant Workshop 0 credit(s)
USU 7920 is required for a teaching and/or research assistantship. Course credit does not count on Program of Study toward degree requirements. (International students must also take IELI 7920 )

Human Development and Family Studies - PhD

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies - MS to PhD (60 credits)

Core Requirements (36 credits)

Pick Two (6 credits)

Pick Four (12 credits)

Electives (6 credits)

Required Orientation Courses

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies-MFT Concentration (60 credits)

Core Requirements (45 credits)

Pick Two (6 credits)

Pick Two (6 credits)

Elective (3 credits)

Required Orientation Courses

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies-BS to PhD (78 credits)

Core Requirements (48 credits)

Pick Three (9 credits)

Pick Five (15 credits)

Electives (6 credits)

Required Orientation Courses