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Our graduate program prepares students for a variety of career pathways.  See below for the types of positions students have pursued with their doctoral degree in HDFS, or click here to see profiles of a few of our alumni.

 

Students earning a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies receive world renowned training as scientific researchers. 

Types of careers our doctoral program graduates pursue

  • Professor at research university
  • Professor at teaching-focused institutions
  • Research scientist
  • Researcher/policy specialist in state or federal government
  • Program evaluation specialist for public or private institutions
  • Data specialist for private companies

Students have opportunities to customize coursework and degree options tailored toward specific career pathways, pursue internship opportunities, and gain practical experiences through research and teaching opportunities, that make our graduates highly competitive in their professional pursuits. 

See this recent article on non-academic career paths for Ph.D.s written by one of our own graduate students.

Career Placements for Graduate Alumni
Academic Departments AGencies and institutes
Human Development and Family Studies International Food Policy Research Intstitute
Psychology Childtrends
Education Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
Social Work Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
Human and Community Development Mathematica Policy Research
Biobehavioral Health Research Triangle Inc.
Nutrition Science and Policy Center for Disease Control
Public Health Institute of Educational Sciences
Behavioral and Community Health Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Research Evaluation and Program Officer)
Mental Health Law and Policy National Institute of Health (Health Science Policy Analyst)
  San Mateo County Human Services Agency (Evaluation and Planning Specialist)