The School of Human Ecology
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AcademicsGraduate Programs

Consumer Behavior & Family Economics, PhD

This is a multidisciplinary degree that develops scholars who can apply social science theories to the study of household and consumer interactions within the marketplace and the public sector.

The PhD program in Human Ecology: Consumer Behavior and Family Economics (CBFE) develops scholars able to apply social science theories to understanding household and consumer interactions within the marketplace and the public sector. Students undertake research on consumer decision-making affecting the social and economic well-being of individuals and families. This is a multi-disciplinary degree program. The goal of this program is to prepare students for the following types of job placements:

  1. Tenure-track academic faculty positions, primarily in other schools of human ecology, consumer science or related units
  2. Research administration positions in government, non-tenure academic units, nonprofit organizations, think tanks and related entities
  3. Applied consumer research in the public and private sector, including market research, policy research and consulting.

Visit the Graduate Program website

Department affiliation

Consumer Behavior & Family Economics Faculty

  • A white woman, with brown, long hair, wearing a green dress.

    Lydia AshtonAssistant Professor of Consumer Science

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    Judi BartfeldProfessor of Consumer Science | Division of Extension Faculty Liaison

  • Portrait of Megan Bea, a white woman smiling, with brown hair, wearing a white shirt with a colorful necklace.

    Megan Doherty Bea Assistant Professor of Consumer Science

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    J. Michael CollinsFetzer Family Chair in Consumer and Personal Finance | Professor of Consumer Science | Faculty Director of the Center for Financial Security

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    Katie FitzpatrickAssociate Professor of Consumer Science

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    Melody HarveyAssistant Professor of Consumer Science

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    Gisella KagyAssistant Professor of Consumer Science

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    David J. Pate Jr.Visiting Associate Professor of Consumer Science, Human Development & Family Studies

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    Cliff RobbLorna Jorgenson Wendt Professor in Money, Relationships & Equality (MORE) | Department Chair and Professor of Consumer Science

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    Nancy WongKohl's Chair in Retail Innovation | Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs | Professor of Consumer Science

  • Portrait of Yiwei Zhang, an Asian woman smiling, with straight shoulder-length black hair, wearing a maroon dress.

    Yiwei ZhangAssistant Professor of Consumer Science

CBFE Graduate Students

Consumer Behavior & Family Economics News and Research