PSYC/HDFS

Psychology students who obtain an M.S. in Human Development and Family Science will have studied human development across the lifespan, from infancy to old age, using an interdisciplinary perspective. This degree option will provide students with a career path and preparation for careers in parenting, couples, and relationships education, direct service, extension, and community-based programs. (This program does not fulfill accreditation and licensing requirements for careers in counseling and therapy.)

Admittance to the DD Pathway is available for the Non-Thesis and Thesis Options at this time. Apply now! You must apply directly to the department.

Coursework

The coursework focuses on the development of individuals and families, and provides flexibility for students to identify courses that explore interactions among individuals, families, communities, and society.

• Sample Program of Study (Thesis)
• Sample Program of Study (Non-Thesis)

Who is Eligible?

Psychology majors can apply to be admitted to the Double Dawg Pathway (fall of year 3), which allows them to begin taking graduate level coursework, with the intention of applying to the graduate program (fall of year 4). Admittance to the pathway does not guarantee admittance into the graduate program. 

Pathway Application, Fall of Year 3

Deadline to apply is October 31. Applying is a two step process, please apply to the Double Dawg Pathway and to HDFS.

Pathway applicants will be required to provide a transcript demonstrating achievement in their coursework, including a 3.0 Overall GPA, and a 3.3 Major GPA, completed or be enrolled in at least one HDFS course (HDFS 2100, HDFS 2200, or HDFS 2950), and evidence of experiential learning opportunities through a resume or experiential learning transcript. Students will be required to have completed, or be in the process of completing 60 course credit hours. 

Also, as part of your application to the program, you are required to include a maximum 1,000 word “statement of interest.” This statement will help us confirm your fit for the program and which faculty member could best serve as your mentor during the Pathway program. It is the department’s expectation that you will work with that faculty mentor during your year in the Pathway program, and prior to applying to the graduate program. Your statement should include the following information:

• What are your long-term professional goals and how do your goals fit within the mission of the HDFS Program. How will the M.S. DoubleDawg program help advance you towards reaching your goals?
• What content areas of research and outreach/practice do you hope to pursue as a MS DoubleDawg student and beyond (i.e., specific problems or issues, research questions, types of families/relationships you hope to study or support)? 
• What types of research and/or outreach experiences have prepared you for the MS DoubleDawg program in Human Development and Family Science?
• Identify at least one graduate faculty member with whom you hope to work and briefly describe how your research and/or outreach goals and interests fit with the expertise of the faculty.

This information is very important, as it will help us confirm your fit for the program and which faculty member could best serve as your mentor during the Pathway program. It is the department’s expectation that you will work with that faculty mentor during your year in the Pathway program, and prior to applying to the graduate program.

If you are interested in applying to the pathway, please complete the application using the "Apply" Button and by applying to the Pathway through the Double Dawg website, thesis and non-thesis.

Each Double Dawg program has its own requirements for graduate admission, and admittance into the Pathway does not mean that you are accepted into the graduate program.

Apply to Pathway

Graduate Program Application, Fall of Year 4

Deadline to apply is December 1. All applicants are required to complete an application to the Graduate School and to HDFS.

Below are instructions for the application for Psychology BS/HDFS MS (thesis and non-thesis) Double Dawg program. If you have questions about the graduate program, please contact Ted Futris. If you have questions about the application process, please contact hdfsgradadmissions@uga.edu.

Application requirements for the Graduate School:

1. Resume or CV
2. Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted) demonstrating achievement in their coursework, including a 3.3 Overall GPA, and grades of a “B” or better in two HDFS elective courses (6000-7000). Students will be required to have completed, or be in the process of completing 90 course credit hours
3. Three signed recommendation letters

Additional application requirements for HDFS Department: 

1. Personal Statement (Limit to 1000 words) 
   • This statement is an important part of your application for admission to any graduate program in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Please elaborate on how your long-term professional goals fit within the mission of the department and of the HDFS Program and how your goals enhance the well-being of diverse families in a changing world through scholarly research, teaching, clinical engagement and outreach. Specifically address: 
     • What content areas of research and methods do you hope to pursue as a doctoral student and beyond (i.e., specific problems or issues, research questions, types of families/relationships, types of research methods/approaches)? 
     •  What types of research experiences have prepared you to successfully complete a master's program in Human Development and Family Science? Be sure to include your experience working with current HDFS faculty
     • Please list at least two graduate faculty members with whom you hope to work and briefly describe how your research goals and interests fit with the expertise of these faculty. 
2. Social Justice Statement (Limit to 500 words) 
   • Please elaborate on how your academic goals relate to promoting a social justice agenda that creates knowledge and serves diverse communities. What personal and professional experiences position you to work with these topics/communities?  

Apply to Graduate Program