Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science
Human Development and Family Science is the advanced scientific study of familial, societal and cultural factors that shape human development and family relationships throughout the lifespan, from infancy to end of life. The program provides advanced theoretical knowledge and extensive experience with diverse research methodologies under the guidance of widely published faculty researchers.
The Human Development and Family Science Department offers a Ph.D. for students interested in investigating critical issues such as factors influencing academic success in childhood and adolescence, intimate partner violence in teen dating relationships, coping with changes that occur in the later stages of life and social and cultural factors that influence developmental outcomes across the course of life.
Doctoral Faculty
If you are interested in the doctoral program, please look at the profiles of our faculty to identify who is available to take on new students and which faculty members are a fit with your research interests. You will need to list possible mentors as part of your application. We recommend that you email faculty to discuss their research and opportunities within their lab.
Associate Professor
Dr. Coolhart will be accepting graduate students.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Garcia will be accepting doctoral students. Students should have an interest in minority health and aging in the U.S. and Latin America.
Undergraduate Program Director and Associate Professor
Dr. Mulvaney will be accepting doctoral students.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Newstrom will be accepting doctoral students.
Associate Professor
Dr. Ramadoss will be accepting doctoral students.
Associate Dean of Interdisciplinary Affairs and Partnerships, Professor
SELF (Social-Emotional Learning and Functioning) Regulation Lab
Professor, Pearl S. Falk Endowed Professor
Dr. Roopnarine will be accepting doctoral students.
Doctoral Program Director, Associate Professor
Health Experiences and Adolescent Relationship Trajectories (HEART) Lab
Admissions
Completed applications are due December 15, and will need to include transcripts of graduate and undergraduate work, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement which describes your background, research interests, and fit with potential mentors at SU. The GRE is not required, but can be included as part of your application if desired. Click here to submit your application.
Note that we do not have a terminal master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. Students who enter the doctoral program without a master’s degree may complete an MS in Human Development and Family Science part of their doctoral training. In addition, our department offers a terminal MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, which is offered both in-person and online.
Financial Support
All doctoral students are admitted with a guaranteed four years of funding through graduate assistantships. Additional years of funding and summer funding may be possible, but are not guaranteed. Students typically gain experience serving as both a teaching assistant and a research assistant. Students will receive a stipend and tuition remission to cover the full course of study.
Contact
Please contact the Director of the PhD Program, Dr. Sara Vasilenko (savasile@syr.edu) with questions about the doctoral program.