Human development and family studies offers graduate work leading to a doctor of philosophy degree. Graduate programs take a multidisciplinary approach, preparing students for college and university teaching and research, as well as development, administration, and evaluation of programs serving individuals and families across the lifespan.

Our research is interdisciplinary with signature themes in (a) transitions across the life course, (b) risk and resilience across the life span, and (c) developmental and family research methods. Our faculty recognize the critical importance of culture and gender, diversity, and contemporary global perspectives in the discovery of knowledge. We have research emphases in child development, adolescence, adult development and aging, families, rural communities, and cross-national comparison.

Research is an important focus of the Graduate Program in Human Development and Family Studies. The HDFS faculty includes nationally recognized scholars who are widely published in areas such as families and aging; family communication and conflict; child, adolescent, and adult development; intergenerational family relationships; family structure; and gender. We emphasize both quantitative and qualitative methodology.

 Human Development and Family Studies Website

 College of Health

 HDFS Graduate Handbook

 Corvallis

Primary Contact

Graduate Admissions

Program Director

John Geldhof
Associate Professor
School of Human Development & Family Science

Admissions Requirements

Admit Term
  • Fall Term
Required Tests
  • None

English Language Requirements ?

English language requirements for international applicants to this program are the same as the standard Graduate School requirements.


Additional Requirements

Application requirements, including required documents, letters, and forms, vary by program and may not be completely represented here. The processing of your application will not be completed until these requirements have been met. Please, before applying to this program, always contact the program office to confirm application requirements.


Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online.

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions Deadline and Funding Deadline
December 15

for priority consideration

Admissions Deadline
January 19

final deadline



MAIS Participation

This program may serve as a secondary or third only field of study in a MAIS degree.


AMP Participation ?

This program does not participate in the Accelerated Master's Platform (AMP)