PhD in Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

This doctorate is part of Cornell's psychological sciences and human development field, which centers on development, cognition, neuroscience and social and personality psychology. Students examine how people grow and change within families and communities. Program plans are built with a special committee chaired by a human development faculty member. Doctoral candidates take graduate statistics, gain teaching experience and finish either a research project or a master's thesis before the candidacy exam. Graduates are prepared for academic posts, government research agencies and community or private organizations. The program does not lead to clinical, school psychology or family counseling credentials.