On-Campus Program

Priority Deadline: December 1

• The priority deadline will be used in consideration of prestigious fellowship offers
• The HDFS Department will continue accepting and reviewing applications after the priority deadline on a rolling basis through the start of the semester and Spring admissions will be considered
• Scholarship and fellowships will continue to be offered based on funding availability

Prospective Student Visit:

February 22nd - 24th

Online Programs

Spring Admissions: November 4th 

Summer Admissions: March 23rd (Youth Development only)

Fall Admissions: May 31st

All Programs

How to Apply

The Graduate School online application system is designed to help you easily navigate through the application process and ensure you complete your application in a timely manner. 

ALL documents must be submitted through the online portal and directly to the department.

How to Apply

What Graduate Programs are offered in HDFS at Texas Tech?

On-campus programs:

M.S. in HDFS
Ph.D. in HDFS

Online programs 

Master's in HDFS with a specialization in Gerontology
Master's in HDFS with a specialization in Youth Development
Graduate Certificate in Cross-Cultural Studies
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Graduate Certificate in Youth Development Specialist
Graduate Certificate in Youth Program Management and Evaluation

How many years does it take to complete a graduate degree in HDFS?

M.S. = 2 years
Ph.D. = 3 -4 years (after a M.S. degree)
Post-bac Ph.D. program = 5 years

Are there scholarships available?

Yes. If you apply for scholarships from the TTU Graduate School, you will be considered for departmental and college scholarships. A limited number of fellowships are available for our top applicants.

What is the most important part of my application?

We take a holistic approach to reviewing applicants so there is no single criteria that takes primacy. We admit students who are a good fit for our program and show potential for success. We do not set minimum GPA or GRE score requirements.

When are applications due?

HDFS M.S., Post-Bac, or Ph.D.

• December 1 for fall admission

GPIDEA degrees (all online)

• Spring Admissions: November 1
• Fall Admissions: April 15

What courses are required to complete the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees?

The degree plans, including required courses, are available on this page under the Policies and Manuals tab.

How do I apply?

You need to complete an application to the TTU Graduate School, which will include your basic information, educational history, GRE scores (for on-campus M.S. and Ph.D. only), transcripts, a goal statement, list of faculty with whom you would like to work, and names of 3 references (who will receive a link to provide their recommendations for you).

When will I know if I have been accepted?

Applications due on December 1 will be notified on or around December 15. For those who apply for the April 15 deadline, you will be notified on or around April 30.

May I contact HDFS Faculty prior to completing my application?

Absolutely! We encourage M.S. and Ph.D. students to contact faculty with whom they are interested in working. If you want to be introduced to faculty before you contact them, please notify the Graduate Program Director who is happy to assist with an email introduction.

Is there a campus visit for graduate students?

Admitted students are invited to a campus visit in late February to help familiarize them with the program and campus prior to making their enrollment decisions. If you would like to visit campus prior to your application, please contact the Graduate Program Director for additional information.

Will I receive an assistantship if I attend TTU?

We prioritize assistantships for our Ph.D. students. If we have funding available, we also try to provide assistantships to Master's students. Most assistantships are for fall and spring semesters, but not summer semesters. Students are encouraged to not count on financial support during the summer term. If you receive an assistantship you must be enrolled full time during the semester of the assistantship.

Can I be admitted to the M.S. or Ph.D. programs as a part-time student?

No. Because we encourage active participation in research and teaching (for Ph.D. students) students need to be enrolled full time in the program.

Do you offer online courses for your graduate programs?

We do not offer online courses for our on campus M.S. and Ph.D. programs. However, our GPIDEA programs (M.S. with a specialization in Youth Development or Gerontology, and our graduate certificate programs) are all offered entirely online.

Graduate Policies and Manuals

Policies

• Graduate Student Travel Applications Procedures

Manuals

• HDFS Graduate Handbook

Current Student Forms

All forms should be filled out, saved to your computer, and emailed to the HDFS Graduate Program Coordinator at jeremiah.ramirez@ttu.edu.

• Candidacy Exam Forms
  • Program for Master's Degree Plan and Admission to Candidacy
  • Master's Course Sequence Chart Sample
  • Master's Course Sequence Chart
  • Master's Degree Plan of Study
  • Consent for Student Evaluation for Candidacy
  • Candidacy Student Evaluation Form
  • Master's Report of Candidacy Exam
• Master's Thesis Forms
  • Master's Intent Form/Thesis
  • Thesis Proposal Checklist
  • Thesis Defense Checklist
  • Approval of Thesis Proposal
  • Defense Notification
  • Oral Exam and Thesis-Dissertation Approval Form

Contact Information for Graduate School
If you have any questions about your application, call (806) 742-2781 or email: graduate.admissions@ttu.edu.
To check your application status, please check Raiderlink.

Online Human Development and Family Studies Master's Degree in Gerontology or Youth Development

Texas Tech offers online master's degree concentrations in gerontology and youth development via the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA). Both online master's degrees require a total of 36 credit hours and are aimed at working adults who are already employed as professionals in child and family services.

The youth development concentration includes 28 credit hours of coursework and an eight-hour practicum, research project or thesis. The gerontology concentration consists of eight core courses totaling 24 credit hours, and four electives totaling 12 credit hours.

Admission Deadline:

Spring Admissions: November 4

Summer Admissions: March 23rd (Youth Development only)

Fall Admissions: May 31st

Online Human Development and Family Studies Graduate Certificate Options

Gerontology

The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology 15-hour inter-institutional program offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance, a consortium of seven universities. The program is designed to prepare professionals who are either working directly with older people or are involved in education or research related to aging adults. The web-based courses are comprised of two core courses and three electives offered by universities participating in Great Plains IDEA.

Youth Development Specialist

The Graduate Certificate in Youth Development Specialist is designed to assist youth professionals to train individuals in the second decade of life with the skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. The target audience is professionals who are either working directly with adolescents and young adults or are involved in education and research related to youth. Great Plains IDEA is the only alliance of public universities to offer a youth specialist certificate completely online. The program addresses the need for advanced education in youth issues and does so through a strengths-based curriculum.

Youth Program Management and Evaluation

The Graduate Certificate in Youth Program Management and Evaluation is designed to prepare professionals who are either working directly with adolescents and young adults or are involved in education and research related to youth. Few graduate programs exist that focus solely on the second decade of life, and Great Plains IDEA is the only alliance of public universities to offer this type of certificate completely online. The certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to develop and apply resources for successful implementation and management of youth-serving organizations. The program addresses the need for advanced education based on research and policy for optimal youth outcomes through a strengths-based curriculum.