PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University

Auburn University

United States of America, Auburn

University Rank:#851

The Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University is a Full Time PhD program offered at the university's main campus in Auburn, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 16, 2027.

About PhD in Human Development and Family Science

Degree Program:

Human Development and Family Science – MS
Human Development & Family Science – Marriage and Family Therapy Option – MS (Thesis/Non-Thesis)
Human Development and Family Science – PhD

Graduate Certificate:

Advanced Research Methods for Human Sciences

The Department of Human Development and Family Science offers graduate instruction leading to the Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science or Marriage and Family Therapy and the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Science. The Department emphasizes the integration of knowledge from various fields to prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and human service provision as well as education, policy, and industry. To promote training and research, the Department operates the Auburn University Early Learning Center, Harris Early Learning Center of Birmingham, and the Center for Marriage and Family Therapy. The marriage and family therapy option is accredited by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Both the Auburn University Early Learning Center and Harris Early Learning Center of Birmingham are accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

For admission, a background in the social and behavioral sciences is highly desirable and should include course work in human development, family relations, psychology and/or sociology, and statistics. There is no language requirement for the MS or PhD degrees.

The department offers two MS concentrations (a) human development and family science and (b) marriage and family therapy. The human development and family science concentration requires a minimum of 30 semester hours and the concentration in marriage and family therapy requires 52 semester hours. Both require a thesis, and other fundamental work.

The PhD program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the BS. This program requires course work with a theoretical and substantive emphasis in human development and relationships, a research and statistics component, and an empirical dissertation.

Graduate research may focus on human development and relationships or the application of research to improve quality of life at any stage of the life cycle. Competitive graduate assistantships are available to students.

Disciplines

Graduate School

Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University

Entry Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test if required by the department. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Management, Finance, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Accountancy programs. Auburn’s GMAT institution codes are:
Successful international applicants must score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version (pBT), 213 on the computer version (cBT), and 79 on the internet version (iBT). Additionally, successful applicants must score minimums of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components of the iBT. Auburn University’s ETS institution code is 1005. Auburn will also accept a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

International applicants required to submit a language test score have several options of certifying their English proficiency.

The TOEFL or IELTS will be the only accepted language proficiency tests for admission to Auburn University Graduate School. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.

ETS has also created the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition to meet the needs of students who are unable to take the test in a test center due to COVID-19. The test is taken on your own computer at home and is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test center. Visit The TOEFL Tests (ets.org) for more information.
Up to three (3) letters of recommendation may be required by the department. Applicants should contact the department to find out, first, if letters are required. If so, how many? And how should these letters be submitted?
International applicants must demonstrate full financial sponsorship if accepted into a graduate program, proof of a comprehensive medical insurance plan and submit an Official Statement Of Finance for International Students Form for 2023-2024. For more information, review our International Instructions.
One official transcript of all undergraduate and any graduate credits from each school previously attended. If an Auburn University transcript, the Graduate School will acquire the transcript for you. Official electronic transcripts from domestic institutions may be sent to [email protected].
International applicants should provide an official original language transcript and final diploma/certificate(s) accompanied by a certified English translation of each document.
Application fee payment: $60 for domestic students; $70 for international students. The following applicants are eligible for a fee waiver:
- Current Auburn University graduate students enrolled in graduate courses
- Full-time Auburn University employees
- Alabama HBCU applicants from the following schools (first 300 received per year): Alabama A&M and Alabama State Universities, Concordia, Miles, Stillman and Talladega Colleges, Oakwood & Tuskegee Universities – submit copy of school ID
- Ronald McNair Scholars – must submit a memo from sponsoring institution
- Florida A&M Feeders Program – must submit a memo from Faculty sponsor
- GEM applicants – must submit a copy of their GEM application
- Active Duty Military – with a letter confirming duty
- Applying for an approved dual program – the second application fee is waived
To qualify for one of the application fee exemptions, you must submit the required documentation to the Graduate School.

English Requirements

PTEMin 53
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University

Application Fee 70

How to Apply for PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University

Auburn University is pleased to offer this Web-based application in order to make our application process as easy and convenient as possible.

This application is part of the ApplyYourself Application Network. You will receive a PIN and Password so that you can return to work on your application over several sessions. Your information is transmitted through a secured server and is kept confidential until you submit your application. Only after you submit your application will it be available for review by the Graduate School Admissions Office.

When you have completed your application and are ready to submit it, you can pay your application fee online via credit card. No application will be processed until the application fee is paid. However, Auburn University employees and current graduate students are exempted from the application fee requirement. A complete list of eligible application fee exemptions may be found in the Application Instructions section of the application.

Please carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can submit your application once. If you have to update any information you have submitted, please notify the Graduate School Admissions Office at once.

To get started on your application, click “create account” to the right to establish your pin and password. To submit multiple applications, you must create an account for each application. If you are trying to access an existing account and have forgotten your PIN or password, click “Forgot your PIN or Password?”. You will be emailed the login information and will be able to reset the password.

Best of luck. We look forward to reviewing your application.

PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University

Auburn University

United States of America, Auburn