All content © 2013 - 2021 Arizona Board of Regents.
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. The Division of Family Studies and Human Development (in the John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona) Minor program
supplements other graduate training to prepare social and behavioral scientists for research, teaching, and other professional careers in academic, government, and private-sector settings. The program description outlined in this handbook pertains to the Minor in FSHD, which is
supplemental to Doctoral training in another, primary, discipline. Research, teaching and outreach within the FSHD Division are focused in four core areas:
• Resilience and health of marginalized populations
• Early childhood and adolescent populations
• Romantic and family relationships across the lifespan
• Innovative methods and models for studying families and development
There are two options for an FSHD minor. The first focuses on content (the first 3 core areas above) and the second focuses on quantitative methods (the last of the core areas above).
School of Family & Consumer Sciences
The John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences provides instructional, research, extension and outreach programs that enable families, individual family members and consumers to achieve an optimum quality of life throughout the life span. Instructional programs prepare professionals for careers serving families and consumers in a culturally diverse and rapidly changing society.
There are two broad areas of study at Norton School, Family Studies and Human Development and Retail and Consumer Sciences. Currently we only offer a Ph.D. program in Family Studies and Human Development.
The FSHD graduate program curriculum is designed to provide broad exposure to developmental and interpersonal and family theories, to develop research skills and expertise, and to build in-depth knowledge in a content area chosen by the student.
Ph.D. Program in FSHD
Students interested in research, consulting, and/or teaching at the college level may pursue a doctoral degree with a concentration in family studies and human development. The program typically takes five years and combines advanced study in human development with family and interpersonal theories, research, and special topics.
Courses required for the Ph.D. include Analysis of Family Studies, Theories of Human Development, Foundations of Family and Interpersonal Theory, Application of Family and Interpersonal Theory, Research Methods, Statistics, and special topics seminars chosen based on student interests. Doctoral students also complete coursework in a chosen minor area.
Recent program graduates have taken positions as research scientists and professors in the fields of human development and family studies, family health, adolescent sexuality, criminal justice, psychology and anthropology.
For more information about our program, please visit our website. You may also contact the Graduate Coordinator, Jessica Bee at jbee@email.arizona.edu
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
An FSHD faculty member must agree to serve as the minor advisor.
9
FSHD Minor Focused on Content
Theory (minimum of 1 course; both courses may be counted toward Minor requirements)
• FSHD 546 – Foundations of Family and Interpersonal Theory
• FSHD 567 – Theories of Human Development
Content (maximum of 3 courses toward Minor requirements)
• FSHD 601-607 – Special topics in FSHD
Please note that FSHD 601-607 are seminar courses in which the focus varies across offerings.
The number of FSHD 601-607 seminars to be offered each academic year also varies over time.
Because the topics of these courses are often not known well in advance, students should check
on the exact topic each semester and allow flexibility in their plan of study to account for
courses that may be offered.
Independent study (maximum of 1 course toward Minor requirements)
• FSHD 699 – Independent Study. One course (3 units) can be applied toward meeting the
requirements of the Minor. Additional independent study courses can be taken, but will
not count toward the credit requirements for the Minor.
FSHD Minor Focused on Quantitative Analysis (e.g., Statistics)
Statistics (minimum of 2 courses towards Minor requirements)
• FSHD 537 A/L – Introduction to Applied Statistics
• FSHD 537 B – Intermediate Statistics
• FSHD 617 A – Structural Equation Modeling
• FSHD 617 C – Multilevel Modeling
Independent study (maximum of 1 course toward Minor requirements)
• FSHD 699 – Independent Study. One course (3 units) can be applied toward meeting the
requirements of the Minor. Additional independent study courses can be taken, but will
not count toward the credit requirements for the Minor.
See required coursework
See required coursework
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.