YDF_PHD - Youth Development and Family Sciences (Ph.D.)

Program Information

The Doctor of Philosophy in Youth Development and Family Sciences will prepare students to conduct high-impact research on youth, their families, and the communities in which they live. Graduates will be trained to become faculty members in academic departments such as human development and family studies, family and consumer sciences, community resource development, community psychology, and prevention science, as well as for research positions in the public and private sectors. Research in this field considers the influence of risk and protective factors, human growth and development, interpersonal and family processes and systems, and community contexts on the behavioral, psychosocial, and socio-emotional well-being of children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Students can also elect to learn how to build partnerships with local community organizations using participatory and community engaged approaches to research. Students will be able to apply this knowledge to the development and rigorous evaluation of prevention and promotion programs and activities, and contribute to systems and policy changes to benefit youth and families.

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy YDFS program have the option to complete one concentration: 

Concentration in Clinical and Translational Science (CTS). This 14 credit-hour concentration was designed to provide PhD scientists in a variety of disciplines with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to support future career goals related to clinical and translational research. This concentration requires an application to UF’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute outside the Family, Youth and Community Sciences department.