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This handbook describes the tasks and deadlines that are necessary for you to earn your graduate degree. The information noted in this version of the H.D.F.S. Graduate Handbook applies to all students admitted fall 20242025. Students are held to the program requirements for the year in which they matriculate. All graduate students should refer to the handbook for answers to questions regarding graduate policies and procedures. Throughout this handbook, there will be areas that direct you to various webpages within the Syracuse University website. You should always refer to the Syracuse University Website for current information regarding all areas addressed in this handbook, as websites, webpages, and links may change.
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Exceeding Time to Degree Requirements
For details, refer to Syracuse University Academic Rules & Regulations-Graduate School
If the student exceeds the eight-year degree completion limit, the student must submit a petition for an extension to the Graduate School by the second semester of their eighth year, supported by the department and advisor. This petition must provide evidence of academic progress on the dissertation and include a detailed plan for its completion within one year. Students with an approved petition must register for GRD 991, paying for at least one credit hour per semester; failing to register for GRD 991 in a given term will result in withdrawal from the program. Petitions to extend the eight-year time-to-degree requirement will not be approved for more than one year at a time. Extensions beyond one year are granted only under significant extenuating circumstances and require approval from both the program and the Graduate School. Doctoral students admitted before Fall 2023, who are already in or past their eighth year, must develop a realistic detailed plan for dissertation completion. This plan should be endorsed by both the department and the academic advisor. Upon agreement by the department and advisor, the student should petition the Graduate School Dean for an approval of a formalized timeline for degree completion. Subsequent extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and necessitate GRD 991 registration. Students beyond their eighth year who do not adhere to these terms will be withdrawn from the program.
Master's students have 7 years to complete their degree but there are no financial implications if they do not.
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After the faculty advisor has given his/her approval, the thesis is to be submitted to the thesis committee members for their feedback and suggestions. Committee members should be given at least four weeks to provide feedback. At the end of this period, committee members may require students to make changes to the thesis. Only after all committee members have given their approval should a thesis defense date be scheduled. Students should include a faculty member (other than the 3 committee members) to chair the committee. At the Masters level the chair can be from within the Human Development and Family Science Department or from other departments/colleges throughout the University. This person will act as the representative of the Graduate School and will moderate the thesis defense. Read up on the procedures for graduate students defending theses or dissertations found at the Graduate School graduation requirements What You Need to Graduate page. All M.S. students must complete a Request for Examination form(Instructions), at least three weeks prior to your defense date.
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All students must follow the graduate school guidelines for formatting their thesis found at the Graduate School Guidelines for Doctoral Dissertations & Master'sTheses. In addition, students should follow the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.
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Students must also select an additional research methods course (advanced statistics, qualitative research) in preparation for their doctoral research, 3 credit(s) located on the H.D.F.S. website at Approved list of courses.
Elective Course Requirements (36 credits)
At least 15 credit hours of content must be selected from within the H.D.F.S. Department. The remaining 21 credits can be completed in H.D.F.S. or in other programs such as Psychology, Education, Policy Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, or African-American Studies. Students should consult with faculty advisors prior to selecting courses both inside and outside of the department. Courses should be selected that match with the students’ academic interests and goals. Students may choose courses at or above the 600 level. All students must complete a two-semester sequence in statistics and research methods. For a complete list of available graduate courses, please consult the 20242025-2025 2026 Graduate Course Catalog. In addition to the list of courses in the catalog, faculty members regularly offer courses within their areas of specialization and research interests.
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All Ph.D. students must complete a Request for Examination form found at the Graduate School website(instructions) and pay attention to the deadlines for filing this form. The Request for Examination requires the signature of the student’s dissertation advisor and department chair. In addition, the form lists the names of committee members (dissertation committee and two readers), the time, place, and date of the defense. The Graduate Director will only sign the form after receiving approval from the committee members. The Graduate School will send confirmation of the defense to all committee members. Candidates should be familiar with the procedures for defending the dissertation, information can be found by visiting the Graduate School website What You Need to Graduate page.
Dissertation defenses can only be scheduled in the fall and spring semesters. All defenses are open to the public. Students are expected to provide the department administrative assistant with an abstract of their thesis two weeks prior to the defense. A copy of the dissertation should be submitted to the department one week prior to the defense.
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Students who wish to claim an exemption to a standing policy and/or procedure may file a petition with the department stating their request and rationale. All petitions will be reviewed by the department chair, and/or the graduate committee for approval. You can access a downloadable PDF Petition to Faculty form by visiting Answers.syr.edu(form).
Leave of Absence
Students requesting a leave from the University for personal or health reasons prior to completing their degree requirements must file an Official Leave of Absence which can be obtained from the department administrative assistant. The form must be submitted whether or not they intend to return.
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If a student believes s/he has been treated unfairly or inappropriately by the faculty, s/he should state this in writing to the department Chair or Director and request to meet with the faculty. For more information on Grievance Procedures Policy visitFalk College Academic Grievances website and Syracuse University Policies website.
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All teaching assistants (T.A.s) are required to participate in the All-University T.A. Orientation Program, information can be found by visiting the Graduate School website and viewing the All-University T.A. Orientation Program web page. The orientation is held two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. Students will be informed by email from the Graduate School regarding dates and times they are required to attend orientation.
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The Dean Edith Smith Dissertation Grant has been established to provide financial support to facilitate the scholarship of doctoral students in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. The grant is designed to increase the flow of talented graduate students into academic careers and support H.D.F.S. students who show potential for excellence.
Graduate Travel Awards
Graduate Travel Awards
Funds for travel and other related expenses are available for students presenting their work at national conferences from the Graduate Student Organization (G.S.O.), for more information and guidelines visit the G.S.O. travel grant web page. School. A copy of any documentation and required forms for professional and academic conference grants submitted to the G.S.O. Graduate School should be provided to the H.D.F.S. Department. The H.D.F.S. department may also have travel funds available for graduate students presenting their work at national conferences. For more information contact the department administrative assistant.
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Graduate Student Resources
Syracuse University Graduate Student HandbookSchool Policies
Barnes Center at The Arch Counseling
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The opportunity to participate in various professional development programs is available to graduate students to enrich their educational experience at Syracuse University. Become familiar with the various educational programs available by visiting the Graduate School website. All doctoral students who have been G.T.A.'s. for at least a semester are eligible to participate in the program. Participating in the Future Professoriate Program (F.P.P.) prepares students to teach at the collegiate level as well as prepare for a career in academia, more information can be found at the Future Professoriate Program web page.
Future Professoriate Program (F.P.P.)
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Faculty may share course syllabi with the mentee to help with syllabus construction, but the preparation of lectures, course materials, class activities and assignments, exams, and grading rubrics are the responsibility of the mentee. We encourage students to join FPP early in their graduate career, as many of these topics are covered in the FPP workshops.
The faculty and mentee will meet at least once before the course begins to review the syllabus and discuss additional matters related to course preparation. This consultation should also include a review of university policies including student confidentiality and FERPA, sexual harassment, Nonattendance, religious observances, Office of Disability Services, and academic integrity. Departmental recommendations regarding class cancellations, successful learning environments, and other instructional issues should also be discussed.
The faculty and mentee will meet once a month to discuss the course. The monthly check-in meetings will be arranged by the faculty in consultation with the mentee. The mentee is encouraged to share written reflections on their teaching and/or course materials (e.g., handouts, exams, assignments) for discussion with their Faculty Teaching Mentor during these meetings. These meetings may also be used to address course challenges, but the mentee may request additional consultations with the Faculty Teaching Mentor as questions or issues arise across the semester.
The faculty will observe the mentee in the classroom once during the semester. The mentee should initiate and share possible dates with the faculty mentor and the faculty mentor will confirm the observation date. The faculty can use the Instructional Observation Form provided by FPP (see pages 1113-12 14 of the FPP handbook) or provide their own written comments on the observation. This documentation can be incorporated into the mentee’s teaching portfolio. Note that the Department Chair will also be conducting an independent teaching observation during the semester.
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Email help@syr.edu
Call (315) 443-2677
Visit the I.T.S. Service Center
Search Answers.syr.edu
Center
Library
The mission of the Syracuse University Library is to assist the educational and research efforts of faculty, students, and staff of Syracuse University by acquiring, organizing, providing access to, preserving and providing assistance in using the materials they require for scholarship and research. The library offers its collections and services to users in an environment that actively supports learning, teaching, and research.
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The Human Development and Family Science Department works closely with librarian, Anita Kuiken who assists in developing library resources for the Department. She can assist both students and faculty in need of specific research materials. Ms. Kuiken can be reached at 315-443-9766 or akuiken@syr.edu.
Visit the Syracuse University Libraries website for more information about available library resources.
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Students in the Department of Human Development and Family Science are eligible to participate in the university Graduate Student Organization. The Graduate Student Organization (G.S.O.) is open to all graduate students at Syracuse University. Students are automatically billed for G.S.O. membership as part of their mandatory fees. The G.S.O. office is located in Room 303 Lyman Hall or visit the G.S.O. website for more information.
H.D.F.S. Faculty and Professional Staff
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View a listing of H.D.F.S. faculty and professional staff.View a listing of administrative staff.