Texas Tech University

Human Development and Family Sciences


Graduate Student Life

Take a peek into what life as a Texas Tech Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) Graduate Student.

HDFS students share their thoughts on the graduate program, housing, cost-of-living, and their favorite Lubbock Hot Spots.


What is great about the Texas Tech HDFS program?

"The dedication of the HDFS faculty to innovative, interdisciplinary research."

"There is a strong focus on quantitative research as well as qualitative."

"The faculty and graduate students share common goals of promoting future scholars in HDFS, contributing to the body of research, and providing beneficial teaching experiences."

"The emphasis on mentorship and personal growth in a wide variety of domains."

Texas Tech graduate students discuss the Human Development and Family Sciences program.

"The personal support that is provided by the faculty and graduate students."

"The opportunities for research in our department."

"Texas Tech takes care of students, especially international students."

"The graduate school offers a supportive network."

"I decided to attend because of the generous financial support I was awarded."

Texas Tech graduate student Rebecca Oldham shares her experience.

Texas Tech graduate student Phuong Le shares the aspects of his research.

Graduate Student Testimonial

Kareem Al-Khalil (Human Development and Family Sciences Ph.D., 2019; currently postdoctoral research fellow, Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM)

"My current work investigates the cognitive, behavioral, and neurobiological effects of alcohol use disorder and hazardous drinking. I have also extensively studied differences in brain structure and functioning between individuals with superior cognitive abilities and those with cognitive difficulties. At TTU, I worked primarily under the mentorship of Dr. O'Boyle, who was my dissertation chair and with Drs. Niehuis, Reifman, and Trejos-Castillo in various interdisciplinary fMRI projects. The HDFS program helped me obtain my current position by providing the opportunities and resources needed to develop my proficiency in neuroimaging analysis, research design, and manuscript writing. It also provided valuable teaching opportunities pivotal to my goal of seeking a tenure-track position."

Texas Tech Graduate Students Finances

Virtual Tour of HDFS at Texas Tech

Living in Lubbock:

"I love that Lubbock has a small town feel with amenities of a much larger city."

"I appreciate the community and culture here in Lubbock. The people are friendly and kind."

Texas Tech Housing Costs Graduate Students

Our favorite things to do for fun in Lubbock:

Alamo Movie Theater

Lubbock Moonlight Musicals

Texas Tech Athletics

The Corn Maize

Buffalo Springs Lake

First Friday Art Trail

Farmer's Market

The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA)

Live Music:
The Cactus Theater
Music Event Calendar

Wine Tasting

Dining Out and Visiting New Restaurants