Human Development and Family Sciences (MA, PhD)

The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) offers two graduate degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Students completing an HDFS graduate degree are predominantly pursuing a research-based degree, thus a research-focused M.A. (described by the Graduate School as the Plan A option) is the expectation.

Most Ph.D. students enter with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and concurrently obtain the M.A. in HDFS in roughly the first two years of the program, then proceed to the Ph.D. Students who are admitted with the M.A. in HDFS from another institution may potentially finish the Ph.D. program in a shorter time, however, they may have to take some required coursework in order to cover equivalent material to the HDFS degree completed at the University of Connecticut. Students entering with graduate degrees in disciplines other than HDFS must fulfill the requirements of both the M.A. and Ph.D.

The M.A. degree prepares students to pursue a Ph.D. or work in non-profit organizations, foundations, state, local, or federal government, hospitals, and private corporations. The Ph.D. prepares students for research and teaching careers in human development, family sciences, and related fields such as psychology, education, sociology, anthropology, and social work or in leadership positions with non-profit organizations, private foundations, and local, state, or federal government agencies. The M.A. and Ph.D. degrees offer students the opportunity to focus on one of the following areas: Adulthood, Aging, and Gerontology; Child and Adolescent Development; Couples, Parents, and Family; Culture and Diversity; or Health, Wellbeing, and Prevention.

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