PhD in Human Sciences in Tallahassee United States | Florida State University

The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Ph.D. program prepares students to emerge as future scholars, faculty members, and research professionals. Alumni have secured coveted roles at prestigious universities across the country.
Our HDFS coursework explores relationship dynamics and family systems in modern households, including unmarried partners, blended families, military households, and foster care situations. Faculty members are recognized experts in areas like childhood peer relationships, romantic partnerships, domestic abuse, child-rearing approaches, and cultural identity development.
Ranked among the nation's top five programs, the Department of Family and Child Sciences boasts exceptional faculty productivity in publications and federal grant acquisition. Our research-driven curriculum examines the intricacies of family functioning and lifespan development, transforming rigorous academic findings into practical applications that benefit individuals and families. We prioritize hands-on learning through direct involvement in research and instruction.
The doctoral programs in Family and Child Sciences feature a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that bridges human development theory with marriage and family therapy practice. This intentional combination fosters dialogue and idea exchange between academic research and clinical application. Candidates must complete qualifying exams before beginning dissertation work, with required coursework including thirty department-specific credits and fifteen credits in research methodology or statistical analysis.