Human and Community Development
Head of the Department: Susan Koerner
Director of Human & Community Development Programs: Ramona Faith Oswald
222 Bevier Hall
905 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3790
Fax: (217) 244-6144
E-mail: hcd@aces.uiuc.edu
Major: Human and Community Development
Degrees offered: M.S. and Ph.D.
Graduate Concentrations: Human Development and Family Studies (Ph.D. only)
Graduate Minor: Gender Relations in International Development
Joint Degree Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Human and Community Development and Master of Public Health
Degrees Offered: Ph.D. and M.P.H.
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human and Community Development and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Human and Community Development (HCD) offers one master’s level specialization and one graduate concentration at the doctoral level. Students who enter the doctoral program without a master’s will complete one as the first part of their doctoral requirements.
The doctoral concentration in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) focuses on positive development and resilience of diverse children, youth, and families in everyday life contexts. Our doctoral concentration is interdisciplinary, drawing upon the canons of anthropology, economics, education, family studies, human development, psychology, and sociology. Further, we value qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies.
Admission
Admission is based upon both academic record and the applicant's fit with a given specialization. We examine grade point average (GPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE, we will accept MCAT scores for Medical Scholar applicants) scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. International applicants from non-English speaking countries must have an official paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 103 on the internet based test). We will not admit anyone with a GPA less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All applicants are required to submit official GRE scores (MCAT in the case of Medical Scholar applicants) and to have previous coursework in a relevant area of social or behavioral sciences. GRE, MCAT and TOEFL scores should be taken no more than two years prior to application. Our application deadline is January 15 for possible admission the following fall semester. We admit students for fall enrollment only. Please refer to our department website for further information.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Program Information and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science, Human and Community Development
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Theory (HDFS = 501, HDFS 521, HCD 533) | 12 |
| Research Methods & Statistics (HCD 590, HCD 591e or 591g, and HCD 594) | 12 |
| Thesis Hours Required– HCD 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 8 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| A doctoral student terminating our program early and without a master's thesis, must complete 36 hours rather than 32. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
Doctor of Philosophy, Concentration in Human Development and Family Studies
| Required Courses: | Human Development and Family Studies Concentration- Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Theory Courses HDFS 501, HDFS 521 and HCD 533 |
12 |
| Substantive Courses, choose four courses from the following: HDFS 503, HDFS 505, HDFS 523, HDFS 525, HDFS 526, HDFS 527, HDFS 528, HDFS 540, HCD 534, HCD 539, HCD 543 and HCD 571 |
8-16 |
| Quantitative Methods HCD 590, HCD 594 and an advanced statistics course |
12 |
| Qualitative Methods HCD 591e and HCD 591g |
8 |
| Professional Development HDFS 500 |
2 |
| Elective Courses (required hours depend upon content of M.S. degree) | 0-16 |
| Thesis Hours Required – HCD 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32 |
| Total Hours | 64 |
| Other Requirements:* A concentration is required. | |
| MS equivalent, or student will earn MS in first two years of PhD program (see requirements above) | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
The HCD doctoral program prepares students to be researchers, educators, policy developers, or professionals who develop, evaluate, and implement programs for children, families, and communities. Those entering the doctoral program without a master's degree will complete one within their first two years in the doctoral program. Students entering with a non-thesis master's will be required to complete a "thesis equivalency" paper within the first two years of their doctoral program. Requirements for the Ph.D. include 66 graduate hours beyond the M.S. degree, completion of the written qualifying examination, defense of the written dissertation proposal, and a final thesis defense upon completion of the dissertation. Doctoral students may also complete a supporting program in "applied HDFS." This 16 graduate hour option includes 4 hours in program development or policy studies, 4 hours in program evaluation, and two 4 hour internships. The applied optional supporting program prepares students to enter careers in administration, human services, social policy, international aid agencies, and government, as well as traditional careers in teaching and research.
Joint Degree Program
M.P.H./Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Human & Community Development with a concentration in Human Development & Family Studies can be earned jointly with the Master of Public Health. In the joint program up to 12 hours of coursework may be applied to both degrees, and the degrees are conferred simultaneously at the completion of the program.
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| CHLH 410, 469, 540, 550, 572, 573, 575 and 577 | 32 |
| CHLH 594 Cultural Competence and Health Promotion | 4 |
| CHLH 587 MPH Practicum | 4 |
| CHLH 589 Public Health Capstone Experience | 2 |
| Area of concentration coursework from approved list (may be met by Ph.D. core courses) | |
| Electives and seminars (may be met by Ph.D. core courses) | |
| Ph.D. Theory Courses HDFS 501, HDFS 521 and HCD 533 |
12 |
| Ph.D. Substantive Courses, choose four courses from the following: HDFS 503, HDFS 505, HDFS 523, HDFS 525, HDFS 526, HDFS 527, HDFS 528, HDFS 540, HCD 534, HCD 539, HCD 543 and HCD 571 |
8-16 |
| Ph.D. Quantitative Methods An advanced statistics course |
4 |
| Ph.D. Qualitative Methods HCD 591e and HCD 591g |
8 |
| Professional Development HDFS 500 |
2 |
| Thesis Hours Required – HCD 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 22 min |
| Total Hours | 100 |
| Minimum Number of 500-level Hours Required Overall in Program: | 12 (8 within M.P.H.) |
| Other Requirements:* A concentration is required. | |
| Approved Masters Degree Required for Admission? | No |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
Graduate Minor - Gender Relations in International Development
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| HCD 571 | 4 |
| Two electives from a list of 400 & 500 level courses approved by the GRID faculty advisory committee. | 8 |
| Total Hours | 12 |
| Other Requirements: | |
| At least one elective must be at the 500 level | |
| For this multi-disciplinary graduate minor, students must select courses from at least two departments or units. | |
| In addition to the minor requirements, students must also complete the requirements of their major degree. Hours counted toward completion of a minor may not also be applied toward any other transcripted credential. |
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Human and Community Development. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
We do not require our students to teach but recognize the importance of teacher development for their future marketability. Thus, we make teaching assistantships available and encourage students to pursue a variety of teaching experiences as well as mentorship from experienced instructors. We also encourage our students to utilize the variety of teacher training resources that are available across campus.
Faculty Research Interests
Faculty information is available on our department website at www.hcd.illinois.edu/about/faculty_staff.html
Centers, Programs, and Institutes
Child Care Resource Service (http://ccrs.hcd.uiuc.edu)
Child Development Lab (www.cdl.illinois.edu)
Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program (www.familyresiliency.illinois.edu)
Family Resiliency Center (www.familyresiliency.illinois.edu)
Lab for Community and Economic Development (http://communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu/webworks/files/index.php)
University of Illinois Extension (http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/index.html)
Facilities and Resources
Bevier Hall (www.fs.uiuc.edu/ada/0158.html)
Child Development Lab (www.fs.uiuc.edu/ada/0062.html)
Doris Kelly Christopher Hall
Early Child Development Lab
Financial Aid
We are committed to funding all of our students who are making timely progress. The duration and amount of our commitment varies by program. Funding may include fellowships, research assistantships, and/or teaching assistantships. These opportunities typically include stipends and tuition waivers. In some cases, fees are also waived. All applicants are automatically considered for all department funding opportunities; there is no separate application process. Federal and state financial aid is completely separate from the support provided by our department. For information regarding federal and state financial aid, please refer to www.osfa.illinois.edu/.