The doctoral program includes basic and applied courses, which provide broad exposure to relevant theories and research methods with in-depth specialization in FSHD, emphasis area, and encourages ongoing student involvement in research, including but not limited to the thesis and dissertation.
In addition to major coursework, a student is required to choose a minor outside of the major to enhance the student's ability to solve problems from an interdisciplinary perspective. Other elements of the doctoral program are the research mentorship program, research methods and statistics courses, and the doctoral dissertation. Through the doctoral program, a student will acquire a firm foundation in theory and research methodologies relevant to their emphasis area and will also become competent in advanced statistical techniques necessary for conducting research.
FSHD CORE AREAS
The interdisciplinary field of Family Studies and Human Development focuses on interpersonal processes and outcomes that influence and are influenced by human development within the family context. Relevant methods, concepts, and theory draw from the fields of FSHD and from psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, biology, health, and education. Research, teaching, and outreach within the FSHD Division are focused in four core areas:
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Resilience and health of marginalized populations
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Early childhood and adolescent populations
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Romantic and family relationships across the lifespan
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Innovative methods and models for studying families and development
For more information on the faculty who specialize in the 4 core areas of research visit: https://norton.arizona.edu/CoreResearchAreas