The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Development and Family Science is designed to enable each student to gain and to demonstrate competence in acquiring, integrating, and applying: substantive and theoretical knowledge of both child and family development; knowledge of and skills for conducting research on individual and family development and behavior; and skills for engaging with individuals, families and other professionals in processes that prevent or solve problems and promote competence and well-being. To accomplish these goals, both formal course work and practicum experiences in research, teaching, and service are required.
The Area of Emphasis in Couple and Family Therapy helps students in their development as scholars of couple and family therapy and human development and family science. The program is guided by the scientist-practitioner model and considers relationships from a contextual, ecological/social determinants of health perspective. Students will have the opportunity to build clinical skills in family therapy practice, gain research skills that focus on individuals, couples and families, and develop quality teaching and clinical supervision skills. Students will also have the opportunity to publish quantitative and qualitative research and work at the UGA Love and Money Center, a unique, state-of-the-art interdisciplinary clinic serving the local community.
Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Ted G. Futris tfutris@uga.edu Couple and Family Therapy Doctoral Program Director Dr. Elizabeth Wieling, Professor ewieling@uga.edu HDFSGradProgram@uga.edu