Program Structure

Marywood's Ph.D. in Human Development is a 60-credit program that is interdisciplinary in nature and research-focused. Specializations allow you to concentrate your study on a specific discipline area.

Flexible program options enable you to pursue your Ph.D. either full- or part-time and to design a program of study that meets your specific professional needs. The program does not require residency, which means you can complete the coursework at a time and place that's convenient for you. Continuous registration is required, however. Marywood expects Ph.D. students to complete their degree within 7 years.

Interdisciplinary Courses (15 credits)

D/HD 1021 Development and Change: Theoretical Foundations
D/HD 1031 Social and Economic Dimensions of Human Development
D/HD 1041 Physiological and Psychological Bases of Human Development
D/HD 1051 Selected Topics Dissertation Seminar
D/HD 1100 Interdisciplinary Ethics

Research Courses (12 credits)

Four required research and statistics courses provide a solid empirical base for scholarly inquiry. In addition, elective courses in program evaluation and grant writing offer practical ways to apply research skills to real-world problems.

D/HD 1011 Advanced Statistical Analysis
D/HD 1013 Advanced Correlation
D/HD 1015 Qualitative Research
D/HD 1017 Quantitative Methodology

Specialization Courses (24 credits)

Each specialization has a set of required courses, complimented by a variety of elective options. Required courses in each specialization include:

Education Administration

D/ED 1011 School Community, and Public Relations
D/ED 1012 Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics
D/ED 1013 Labor Relations and Negotiations
D/ED 1014 Business and Facilities Management
D/ED 1200, 1201 Administrative Internship

Higher Education Administration

D/HE 1020 History of American Colleges/Universities
D/HE 1021 Academic Curriculum
D/HE 1030 College Finance and Strategic Planning
D/HE 1109 Law in Higher Education
D/HE 1202 Internship in Higher Education

Instructional Leadership

D/ED 1005 Models of Teaching: Crossdiscipline Integrating Seminar
D/ED 1007 Instructional Design: Theory and Application
D/ED 1012 Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics
D/ED 1150 Practicum I

Health Promotion

D/HP 1101 Scientific and Theoretical Basis of Health Promotion
D/HP 1102 Health Promotion Epidemiology
D/HP 1103 Management of Health Promotion Programs
D/HP 1104 Health Promotion Methods, Material, and Delivery
D/HP 1105 Health Promotion Economics

Social Work

D/SW 1011 Paradigms of Social Work Practice
D/SW 1109 Models of Policy Analysis
D/SW 1160 The History of Social Welfare and the Social Work Profession

Recommended Electives for All Tracks

D/HD 1012 The Grantsmanship Process
D/HD 1140 Program Evaluation

Dissertation (9 credits)