Knoxville,
TN,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Child and Family Studies in Knoxville United States | University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
|
Knoxville United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
32,108
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
48 months
Our graduate programs follow an empirically-grounded approach, training students as professional researchers and social scientists. Participants learn to study child development, family dynamics, and educational settings using rigorous scientific methods and evaluation standards. These programs aim to cultivate skilled researchers, academics, and educators who can independently examine family systems and developmental trajectories. The curriculum includes comprehensive training in evidence-based assessment of prevention programs, interventions, and educational approaches. Graduate students find numerous research opportunities focused on children, adolescents, and family systems, all built on the fundamental principle that scientific research offers the most reliable path to enhancing child and family wellbeing.
A foundational concept in these programs is contextual development—the understanding that human growth must be examined through the interconnected lenses of family systems, educational settings, communities, cultural backgrounds, and global influences. This perspective particularly emphasizes vulnerable populations of children, youth, and families. These dual themes of contextual development and at-risk populations form the structural framework for our graduate curriculum.
Our doctoral program uniquely combines human development, family science, and early childhood education, with special attention to learning within environmental contexts, cross-cultural considerations, and vulnerable populations. It prepares graduates for diverse careers in academia, research, policy development, practical applications, and community engagement—all requiring strong research competencies. The program offers flexibility, enabling students to tailor their studies to specific interests through personalized learning paths.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 6.5
Qualification Requirements
Complete and submit formal online application to the Graduate Admissions Office, along with the application fee.
For the department, a completed file for review includes
A departmental application
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general section
Completion of three Graduate Rating Forms by individuals who can attest to the applicant's potential for graduate education
Admission to the graduate program is contingent upon
Faculty evaluation of GRE scores
Not Applicable for Teacher Licensure (PreK-3) concentration
Undergraduate/graduate GPA
Rating forms
Work experience
The match between student's goals and department's foci
Prerequisites to the doctoral program are a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent, completion of the 12 credit hour foundation core in the child and family studies master's program, 3 credit hours of computationally-based, graduate-level statistics, and completion of a thesis as part of the master's degree.
Exceptional applicants with only an undergraduate degree may be considered by the CFS Graduate Committee for direct admittance to the Ph.D. program if they wish. Such applicants must have undergraduate research experience relevant to Child and Family Studies, focused research interests, and a strong academic record.
Students who are admitted without a master's degree will complete requirements for the thesis-based MS degree as part of their program of study. If in good standing after completing the MS program requirements, and under the recommendation of their MS committee, these students will proceed directly into the PhD program.
For admission to a graduate program, an international student must have an equivalent 4-year bachelor's degree with at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on all previous coursework or a 3.30 on a 4.00 scale on all previous graduate work. Grading systems other than the 4.00 scale are evaluated, upon receipt of transcripts, in accordance with standard practice. Programs may require a higher average GPA for admission. Applicants with work experience or who are entering graduate study after a number of years away from an educational institution, usually five years, will be given consideration with greater flexibility relative to GPA.
Minimum score requirements for admission to the Graduate School are:
a total score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT),
a total score of 550 or equivalent on the paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or
a 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS.
For the department, a completed file for review includes
A departmental application
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general section
Completion of three Graduate Rating Forms by individuals who can attest to the applicant's potential for graduate education
Admission to the graduate program is contingent upon
Faculty evaluation of GRE scores
Not Applicable for Teacher Licensure (PreK-3) concentration
Undergraduate/graduate GPA
Rating forms
Work experience
The match between student's goals and department's foci
Prerequisites to the doctoral program are a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent, completion of the 12 credit hour foundation core in the child and family studies master's program, 3 credit hours of computationally-based, graduate-level statistics, and completion of a thesis as part of the master's degree.
Exceptional applicants with only an undergraduate degree may be considered by the CFS Graduate Committee for direct admittance to the Ph.D. program if they wish. Such applicants must have undergraduate research experience relevant to Child and Family Studies, focused research interests, and a strong academic record.
Students who are admitted without a master's degree will complete requirements for the thesis-based MS degree as part of their program of study. If in good standing after completing the MS program requirements, and under the recommendation of their MS committee, these students will proceed directly into the PhD program.
For admission to a graduate program, an international student must have an equivalent 4-year bachelor's degree with at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on all previous coursework or a 3.30 on a 4.00 scale on all previous graduate work. Grading systems other than the 4.00 scale are evaluated, upon receipt of transcripts, in accordance with standard practice. Programs may require a higher average GPA for admission. Applicants with work experience or who are entering graduate study after a number of years away from an educational institution, usually five years, will be given consideration with greater flexibility relative to GPA.
Minimum score requirements for admission to the Graduate School are:
a total score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT),
a total score of 550 or equivalent on the paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or
a 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS.
Tuition
USD
32,108