Our Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D. program puts you on the fast track to a faculty position.

If you seek a faculty position in Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University's Ph.D. program provides exceptional training for academic careers. Our Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D. program features world-class facilities and nationally renowned researchers. Graduates of Texas Tech's Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Sciences have earned tenure-track faculty appointments at major universities across the country.

Texas Tech's Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Sciences excels at shaping faculty careers because:

• We have a national reputation. Texas Tech's Human Development and Family Sciences doctoral program is nationally recognized for excellence. A degree from our program makes a strong impression in faculty search committees.
• We do cutting-edge research. You will have access to Texas Tech's unique, powerful combination of research facilities: the Child Development Research Center, Early Head Start program, and Neuroimaging Institute. Our faculty are leading groundbreaking research in many areas of human development and family studies, including addiction, risk-taking behavior, blended families, gender issues, family violence, and obesity.
• We excel in both qualitative and quantitative methods. Few Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D. programs can match Texas Tech's dual focus. No matter what type of research you want to focus on, we have the facilities and faculty to support you.
• We will train you to teach. You will get at least two semesters of teaching experience, with close supervision and mentoring from our most seasoned faculty. This experience will help you develop practical skills necessary to lead college-level classrooms effectively. Strong teaching ability will round out your candidacy for faculty appointments, and it helps to explain our graduates' excellent track record in landing tenure-track jobs.

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Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D. Requirements

About half of the hours in the Human Development and Family Sciences doctoral degree program consist of electives. You will have the flexibility to define your own area of specialization before launching your dissertation research.

Required course subjects in the Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D. program include:

• Theories of human development
• Family theories
• Research methods
• Quantitative statistics
• Qualitative research methods
• College teaching practicum (two semesters)

You will take the lead on a research project prior to becoming a doctoral candidate, and complete the Ph.D. program with a doctoral dissertation supported by at least 12 hours of research.

Post-Bachelor's Degree Ph.D. Option in Human Development and Family Sciences

If you acquired research experience as an undergraduate, you can apply to our Ph.D. program as a post-baccalaureate student. Applicants must show a history of involvement in research in an undergraduate program or after completion of the undergraduate degree. You must also indicate a strong interest in continuing to conduct research.

When you enter the Human Development and Family Sciences post-bachelor's Ph.D. program, you will first fulfill the courses and requirements of the master's degree program. After successfully defending the thesis and completing any required revisions, you will move on to the requirements of the Ph.D. program.