School of Human Ecology
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AcademicsGraduate Programs

Human Development & Family Studies, PhD, Doctoral Minor

Among the top of its kind nationally, the graduate program in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides challenging opportunities for advanced study, research, and outreach.

HDFS offers an interdisciplinary approach to development across the lifespan leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Students who enter the PhD program without a master’s degree complete their master’s degree along the way. Those who are interested in a terminal master’s degree are encouraged to apply to the Master of Science in Human Ecology Program. The HDFS program is served by a full-time faculty of 13 and additional affiliated faculty from other UW–Madison departments. Faculty have diverse research interests and are professionally active with strong records of national and international scholarship and service.

Visit the Graduate Program website

Department affiliation

Human Development & Family Studies Faculty

  • A white woman smiling with medium-length wavy brown hair, wearing a black dress, hoop earrings, and a septum ring.

    Andrea Buhler-WassmannAssistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies | Shannon Faculty Fellow

  • A Black woman, with salt and pepper dreadlocks, wearing glasses and a red dress.

    Janean Dilworth-BartAssociate Dean for Graduate Education | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Larissa DuncanElizabeth C. Davies Chair in Child and Family Well-being | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Sarah Halpern-MeekinVaughan Bascom Professor of Women, Family and Community | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Sigan Hartley100 Women Distinguished Chair in Human Ecology | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Margaret KerrAssociate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Heather KirkorianLaura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development | Department Chair and Professor of Human Development & Family Studies | Faculty Director of the Child Development Lab

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    Kristin LitzelmanAssociate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    Robert NixAudrey Rothermel Bascom Professor | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

  • A white woman smiling, with dark blond, wavy hair, wearing a black shirt and white pearl necklace.

    Lauren M. PappAssociate Dean for Research | Dorothy A. O’Brien Chair in Human Ecology | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

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    David J. Pate Jr.Associate Professor of Consumer Science, Human Development & Family Studies | Dean’s Fathers and Fathering Faculty Fellow

  • Portrait of Julie Poehlmann in Nancy Nicholas Hall.

    Julie PoehlmannDorothy A. O'Brien Chair in Human Ecology | Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

  • A black man smiling, with black, curly hair, wearing a gray jacket and white and gray shirt.

    Quentin RiserAssistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies | Dean’s Equitable Early Lifespan Faculty Fellow

  • Professional headshot of Alvin Thomas at Nancy Nicholas Hall.

    Alvin ThomasAssociate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies | Phyllis Northway Faculty Fellow

HDFS Graduate Students

Human Development & Family Studies News and Research