Developmental Science Doctorate

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Curriculum for students entering with a Bachelor's degree (90 credits total)

  • Students earn a Master's degree after completing 30 credits, master's oral examination and the master's thesis.
  • All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Development Core12
HDFS 811
Developmental Concepts and Theories
HDFS 813
Social and Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
HDFS 815
Physical and Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
HDFS 817
Prevention Science
Teaching Core6
HDFS 802
Teaching and Learning in the Human Sciences 1
HDFS 892
Graduate Teaching Experience
Methodology and Statistics Core12
HDFS 705
Quantitative Methods in Developmental Science
HDFS 805
Research Methods and Scholar Development in Human Sciences
HDFS 854
Advanced Quantitative Methods in Developmental Science 1
HDFS 856
Longitudinal Research Methods and Analysis 1
Electives15
Must include 9 credits in didactic 700- or 800-level courses (in HDFS or other departments) (HDFS 824 or HDFS 825 recommended)
Can include, distributed in varying credit amounts across multiple semesters:
HDFS 893
Individual Study/Tutorial (maximum of 6 additional credits (beyond the 17 required) )
HDFS 894
Practicum/Internship (focus on teaching or non-academic role)
Non-Didactic Courses7
HDFS 890
Graduate Seminar (Orientation/Comps/Career, 7 credits total)
1 credit orientation in first semester; 4 credits to prep and complete comprehensive exam; 2 credits during final year to focus on career development
Independent Research38
HDFS 893
Individual Study/Tutorial (17 credits)
HDFS 798
Master's Thesis (6 credits)
HDFS 899
Doctoral Dissertation (15 credits)
Total Credits90

Curriculum for students entering with a Master’s degree (60 credits total)

  • Students may follow this track only if their Master’s degree and thesis was approved by the Developmental Science Committee upon admission.
  • Additional coursework may be necessary to compensate for courses not taken.
  • All courses 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Development Core12
HDFS 811
Developmental Concepts and Theories
HDFS 813
Social and Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
HDFS 815
Physical and Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
HDFS 817
Prevention Science
Teaching Core6
HDFS 802
Teaching and Learning in the Human Sciences 1
HDFS 892
Graduate Teaching Experience
Methodology and Statistics Core9
HDFS 805
Research Methods and Scholar Development in Human Sciences
HDFS 854
Advanced Quantitative Methods in Developmental Science 1
HDFS 856
Longitudinal Research Methods and Analysis 1
Elective3
could include HDFS 824, HDFS 825, HDFS 893, HDFS 894, or 700- or 800-level course in HDFS or other department.
Non-Didactic Courses7
HDFS 890
Graduate Seminar (Orientation/Comps/Career, 7 credits total)
1 credit orientation in first semester; 4 credits to prep and complete comprehensive exam; 2 credits during final year to focus on career development
Independent Research23
HDFS 893
Individual Study/Tutorial (8 credits)
HDFS 899
Doctoral Dissertation (15 credits)
Total Credits60

1. Course can be substituted with another course approved by advisor and committee or program coordinator.

 Additional Requirements
  • Teach one undergraduate course, with supervision, for course credit in HDFS 892 Graduate Teaching Experience. Must have first taken a teaching pedagogy course HDFS 802 Teaching and Learning in the Human Sciences, COMM 702 Introduction to College Teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences, or STEM 810 Teaching College Science, as well as two courses out of HDFS 811 Developmental Concepts and Theories, HDFS 813 Social and Emotional Development Across the Lifespan, HDFS 815 Physical and Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan, and HDFS 817 Prevention Science.
  • Submit at least four proposal/abstracts for presentations or posters at national conferences, including as a co-presenter (2 submissions if enter with MS).
  • Present (in person) at least twice at national conferences (once if enter with MS), unless a waiver is granted by the student’s committee.
  • Submit at least two peer-reviewed articles for publication (including as co-author). Note: Although these presentation and publication requirements do not carry course credit per se, they are projects that would be worked on as part of HDFS 798 Master's Thesis, HDFS 893 Individual Study/Tutorial , and/or HDFS 899 Doctoral Dissertation.

Admission and Application Requirements

  • Graduate School admission and application requirements are found on the Admission Information page.
  • In addition, this program requires the following be submitted:
    1. A statement of purpose that is 500 words or less and addresses the following:
      • What your professional goals are and how this graduate program will help you accomplish your professional goals
      • What your research interests are and how they might fit with the current research emphases in the department. If you have questions about this, the HDFS faculty research interests are described on the HDFS website (http://www.ndsu.edu/hdfs).
      • The experiences you have had (e.g. informal, academic, employment, volunteer) that you see as related to this graduate program or your professional goal
    2. Curriculum vitae or resume
    3. Thesis or writing sample

  • Applicants entering with a master’s degree:

    • Must have a master’s degree from accredited educational institution in child development, developmental psychology, human development, developmental science, or related area
    • At least one course in statistics and one course in research methods, with a grade of B or higher
    • Completion of an empirical master’s thesis

  • Applicants entering with a bachelor’s degree:

    • Must have a bachelor’s degree from accredited educational institution in child development, developmental psychology, human development, developmental science, or related area