The Family Science Ph.D. program requires 51 graduate credit hours beyond the master's degree, including 30 core credits (theory, issues, research methodology, statistics), 6 elective credits, 3 research internship credits, and 12 dissertation credits. All Ph.D. students must complete foundation coursework required for a master's degree in Family Science. At the discretion of the Department's Graduate Committee, students entering the Ph.D. program with a master's degree in a related discipline may make up deficiencies in coursework through classes taken at the beginning of the program. Ph.D. students must also pass a qualifying examination and complete a dissertation and oral defense.

Tips for Completing Your Dissertation

Students admitted full-time to the Ph.D. program post-master's can complete this program within three years. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program with only a baccalaureate degree must complete either a master's degree in Family Science (available only to Ph.D. students) or a master's degree in Couple and Family Therapy en route to the Ph.D.

Program Courses (51 credits)

Graduate Forms

There are a variety of forms you may need to access during your graduate career here in the Department of Family Science. You can access those forms here.

Honor Pledge

The University has a nationally recognized Honor Code, administered by the Student Honor Council which should be handwritten and signed on the front cover of all your papers, projects, or other academic assignments.