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Family and Child Studies, Ph.D.

Degree Program: Family and Child Studies, Ph.D.
Degree: Ph.D.
Department: Individual, Family, and Community Education
Program: Family and Child Studies

Description: The conceptual framework for the Ph.D. in Family and Child Studies is based on the link between the principles of ecology and systems theory with the study of families. The current interdisciplinary perspective assumes that family dynamics can best be understood within the multiple contexts in which they occur. With the exception of a 12-hour doctoral core, students plan an individualized program with their Committee on Studies that focuses on the area of Family Studies and which may include courses in the graduate unit as well as from other units. To be eligible for the doctoral core courses (advanced seminars in theories, research and legal, ethical and policy issues in Family Studies and Internship), students will be expected to have had graduate courses (Family Studies Master’s Core courses) or their equivalents in human growth and development, family interaction, managing family resources, multicultural issues in working with families and children, introductory statistics and a course in research methods. In addition, students must have 24 credit hours in a secondary discipline and complete 15 hours to meet the inquiry skills requirement.

Family and Child Studies Graduate Program Information

Family and Child Studies Career Opportunities

Job Titles

Behavior Management Specialist
Case Manager
Hospital Child life Specialist
Child Advocate
Foster Care Case Manager
Parent Educator
Social Services Program Coordinator
Home visitor
Interventionist
Developmental Specialist
Family service providers
Administrators of child and family service programs
Research Scientists
Administrators of policy and advocacy groups and agencies

Work Settings

Adoption Agencies
Churches
Family Advocacy
Federal/State Government Agencies
Homeless Shelters (Healthcare for the Homeless)
Intervention Programs
Residential Care Facilities
Women’s Shelters
Education
Government
Policy and advocacy organizations
Home Visiting Programs


Professional Licensure Disclosure

Our program has determined it meets professional licensure requirements in the state of New Mexico. It has not determined it meets professional licensure requirements in any other state.

Graduate Program Coordinator

Ryan Kelly, PhD 
Associate Professor of Family and Child Studies
ryankelly@unm.edu
(505) 277-3960