2024-2025 Graduate Student Handbook

Table of Contents

Welcome

The Department of Human Development and Family Science (H.D.F.S.) would like to extend a warm welcome to our incoming and continuing graduate students. Over the past few years, the department has undergone tremendous growth and change in faculty, student body, and scholarship. H.D.F.S. is a community comprised of faculty, students, and staff who are committed to high quality research, teaching, and service. The program is well regarded nationally and internationally, and the faculty has worked hard to offer our students a high-quality program by conducting cutting-edge research and scholarship. 

Our graduate degree programs offer students a culturally diverse and educationally challenging environment that explores the lives and experiences of children, youth, and families across varied social, economic, and cultural contexts. The Master of Science program is research-based, designed to prepare students to work in research settings and doctoral studies. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is designed to train students for an academic or a research career. The doctoral curriculum engages students in the highest level of scholarship within their areas of interest. 

Students in all degree programs will investigate the diverse factors that foster and impede the healthy development of children and families. Many of our students are actively involved with faculty on research projects in the United States and across the world including China, Cypress, India, Turkey, Trinidad, and Tobago. This research includes topics such as early child development, early childhood education, school readiness, work-family issues among information technology workers, adolescent adjustment, and many others. 

In addition to training students to become strong researchers, we are also committed to providing them with opportunities for teaching and service. Our commitment stems from our recognition that graduate teaching should be an integral part of the graduate experience. H.D.F.S. is a long-standing participant in the Future Professoriate Program offered by the Syracuse University Graduate School. This opportunity is open to all doctoral students and relevant for those who are interested in a faculty career. 

Syracuse University is replete with opportunities for academic advancement. Students should take advantage of the wide range of courses offered in related disciplines to advance their theoretical, substantive, and research skills. The interdisciplinary focus of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics also provides opportunities for students to participate in a variety of scholarly endeavors. It is our hope that you will take full advantage of the many opportunities available to you. 

Once again, it is a great pleasure to welcome you to the department and hope that your academic experience will be enriching and fruitful. Best wishes on the upcoming academic year! 

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 2024. 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. 

Admission 

Applications for Human Development and Family Science (H.D.F.S.) graduate programs are typically accepted for the fall semester only. All prospective graduate students are advised to become familiar with and follow the Graduate School admission procedures as outlined by visiting the Graduate School website. International students should also visit the Graduate School website which provides additional information and instructions regarding admissions procedures. All applicants must submit an: 

• Application 

• Non-refundable application fee 

• Official transcripts of earlier academic degrees 

• GRE scores (may be waived for M.S./Ph.D.) 

• TOEFL and financial statement (if applicable) 

• Three letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty members) 

• Personal statement reflective of career goals and objectives (including research and teaching interests). 

Students seeking admission to the Department of Human Development and Family Science must meet the general admissions requirements of the Graduate School. While no single factor determines entry to the program, competitive applicants typically have a minimum of: 

• GPA of 3.00 or higher (undergraduate and/or master’s degree) 

• GRE score of 144 Quantitative score, 153 Verbal score (exam taken on or after August 1st, 2011). Please note, that while the GRE scores may be waived, if submitted, the GRE exam must have been taken within the last five years) 

• TOEFL scores of 577 (paper test) and 90 for the Internet based (IBT) test (For international students whose primary language is not English) 

Admission decisions are made by the H.D.F.S. faculty and are based on the student’s academic background (i.e., GPA, GRE scores), experience (e.g., research activity, related work experience), letters of recommendation, and areas of interests. It is not uncommon for successful applicants to have well beyond the minimum requirements. 

Internal Application for Admissions 

Current Syracuse University graduate students who wish to apply to a Human Development and Family Science (H.D.F.S.) graduate degree program are eligible to apply through the internal admission process. This includes graduate students who: 

• Are currently enrolled in another graduate program 

• Have completed a graduate program and would like to apply the following fall semester 

• Have completed a H.D.F.S. Master’s degree and would like to apply to the doctoral program 

Graduate students who are in one of the above categories should complete the Application along with obtaining the necessary signatures. Applicants must also provide all official degree transcript/s, a statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation. Forms must be completed and turned into the department administrative assistant. Internal applicants are subject to the same admission requirements as those applying from outside the university. 

Note: Students who received a graduate degree from Syracuse University more than 12 months prior to their application to the Human Development and Family Science graduate program should go to the Syracuse University Admissions webpage for instructions. 

Enrollment

Master’s Full and Part-Time Enrollment 

Students may pursue their graduate degree on a full or part-time basis. Students must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours a semester for full-time status. Students enrolled in six credit hours or less a semester are considered part- time. 

Non-Matriculated Enrollment 

Individuals who are not formally admitted into a Human Development and Family Science (H.D.F.S.) graduate degree program but wish to enroll in H.D.F.S. courses may do so as a non-matriculated student. Non-matriculated students may take up to a maximum of nine credit hours of coursework, beyond which they must apply to be formally admitted into a graduate degree program. Students who have completed coursework on a non-matriculated basis, prior to their admission into the graduate program, may petition to have the courses applied towards their degree requirements. 

Academic Advising

Faculty Advisors for Master's Students

Master's students are assigned a faculty advisor who will oversee their progress across the program. The advisor provides guidance in course scheduling, departmental procedures, and represents the student in the annual evaluation. The advisor also consults with the student on their project or thesis. Students are expected to meet regularly with their advisor.  Refer to the Mentorship section in this handbook for details on collaborating with faculty advisors, including insights into faculty advisor (mentor) and student (mentee) relationships and expectations.

Faculty Advisors for Doctoral Students 

Doctoral students are assigned a first-year faculty advisor based on their interests and lab openings. All students are required to choose a permanent advisor by the end of their second semester. Given that new students will be exposed only to a portion of the H.D.F.S. faculty during their first year, they are expected to meet with faculty members to discuss research activities, as well as their own research interests and professional goals. Choosing a permanent faculty advisor is an important decision that students should make only after careful consideration. A student’s interests should align with their advisor’s areas of expertise. The selection of a permanent advisor involves a significant commitment on the part of the faculty and therefore requires their explicit agreement. Students should be aware of their permanent advisor’s expectations and approach to graduate training. Students are expected to meet regularly with their advisors. Once a faculty member has agreed to accept a student as a permanent advisee, the student must notify the department administrative assistant in writing, to confirm this arrangement before the end of their first year.  Refer to the Mentorship section in this handbook for details on collaborating with faculty advisors, including insights into faculty advisor (mentor) and student (mentee) relationships and expectations.  

Transfer Credits 

Graduate courses completed at a previous institution may be petitioned to apply to H.D.F.S. graduate degree requirements. Courses in research methodology, statistics, and H.D.F.S. or related disciplines are eligible for consideration. Courses with a grade of B- or lower, taken Pass/Fail, or completed more than five years prior to the student’s entry into the program will not be considered. Grades from other institutions are not included in the Syracuse University (Grade Point Average) G.P.A. 

Maximum Credits: Master’s and doctoral students are limited to a maximum of 6 and 30 transfer credits respectively. 

Procedure: Admitted students who plan to transfer in credits must consult with the Graduate Director during the spring/summer prior to entering the program to identify CORE courses (students are recommended to review the required courses for their programs in the sections below). These CORE courses may be petitioned immediately for transfer to avoid duplication. The petition process requires that students provide a syllabus for each course, which will be reviewed along with the transcript (which should already be on file as part of the graduate school application). It is also possible that students with prior graduate-level statistics can test out of the introductory statistics course (HFS 621); the course must be replaced with another approved statistics course. These requests must be made in collaboration with faculty advisors and the Graduate Director before classes begin in the fall. 

The HDFS Graduate Director along with student advisor will review transcript when student matriculates for possible courses to transfer in - this will be done before students enroll in their first semester. Contact the department administrative assistant for all required forms. 

Annual Review 

Each spring semester the department assesses the graduate program. This assessment process includes gathering data from our students via an annual review. The annual review is designed to facilitate students’ progress by providing timely feedback regarding their overall performance. The process allows graduate students and faculty to discuss student achievements and to address programmatic questions or concerns. The online Annual Review form allows students to highlight information regarding their academic progress and accomplishments (career goal, honors and awards, conference presentations, publications, research experience, teaching experience) and to share their plans for upcoming year.

• In preparation for the review, all graduate students are required to complete the Annual Review for Graduate Students form and attach your current Curriculum Vitae (C.V). 
  Note that you will be able to attach your C.V. at the end of the online form. Both of these documents will be forwarded to your advisor.  

• NOTE: The deadline for completion is on or before April 15th. 

Annual Review Process: 

• Students complete the online Annual Review form and attach their C.V. by April 15th.

• Faculty advisors contact students to schedule a meeting to discuss their annual review and evaluation by May 1st.

• A summary of the evaluation will be sent to the student and placed in the student’s file. 

• The faculty will also share information about the student’s progress at the department’s annual graduate assessment meeting in early May.

Academic Standards

Minimum Requirements 

To maintain good standing, all H.D.F.S. graduate students are required to: 

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, including courses taken outside the department (e.g., anthropology, education, psychology, sociology, etc.). 

• Earn a B or better in all required courses. 

Incompletes 

Students are discouraged from taking an incomplete grade in any course. In the event that a student must file for an “Incomplete,” the Syracuse University Request for Incomplete Grade form must be submitted to the department chair for approval. Students who do not abide by the terms of the Incomplete will receive an “F.” Any graduate student with an incomplete may not be eligible for graduate assistantships. 

Probation 

Students who fail to meet the minimum requirements are subject to academic probation. To return to good standing students who fall below cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0, have one semester to reestablish their G.P.A. Students who earn a B- or lower in a required course must retake the course the next semester it is offered.  

Dismissal 

Students are subject to dismal under the following conditions: 

• They fail to return to good standing under the condition outlined above. 

• They do not make satisfactory progress towards their degree (see below). 

• Unable to successfully complete the comprehensive exam in two attempts. 

• Found to be in violation of Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy Website (e.g., plagiarism). 

Satisfactory progress 

Students are also subject to dismissal if they fail to complete degree requirements in the required timeframe. Students who are dismissed from the program will not be readmitted to the program. 

• Master’s degree — Full-time students must complete all coursework within three years from the time that they register for the first course applied in their master’s degree program. Part-time students must work with their advisor to complete a course timeline that must be approved by the Graduate Committee to become effective. All students must complete their master’s thesis or project within two years of finishing their coursework. 

• Doctoral degree — The maximum time allowed to complete the doctoral program (the completion of all required coursework, comprehensive exam, and successfully defended dissertation) is eight years from the term a student matriculates into the doctoral program. Students must complete the comprehensive exam by the fall semester of their fourth year at the latest. 

Program Extensions 

In the event that a graduate student cannot complete their degree within the allotted time, they may apply for a one-time 6-month extension. To request an extension, students should consult their advisor and submit a formal request to the graduate director. The request should be in the form of a memorandum stating the reason for the extension and must include a detailed plan with a timeline outlining how the remaining work will be completed within the 6-month extension period. Please note that extensions are granted only under the most extenuating circumstances (e.g., major illness). The department chair in consultation with the graduate committee makes the final decision. Note that students who are granted an extension are required to register for GRD 991 and pay the associated fees (review the following section on Exceeding Time to Degree Requirements). 

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. 

H.D.F.S. Degree Programs 

Master of Science (M.S.) 

The Master of Science degree (M.S.) in human development and family science is a 30-credit degree program that aims to promote an understanding of human development across the lifespan. With an emphasis on the importance of social-cultural context, students gain broad knowledge of the study of childhood and family systems across various cultural and societal contexts. All M.S. students must complete the core course and elective course requirements. Courses and training emphasize multicultural perspectives in child and family relationships and diverse research methodologies and scholarship, spanning across the lifespan.

Students can personalize their education by selecting courses from additional HFS offerings as well as courses from various departments, including anthropology, biology, marriage and family therapy, psychology, education, sociology, social science, nutrition, special education, or women’s studies.

Students are required to complete either a master’s thesis or a master’s project (refer to the HDFS graduate handbook for details). M.S. programs prepare students to pursue careers in research, health services, and community agencies. Students completing a M.S. thesis can apply to the HDFS doctoral program. 

Substantive, Research Methodology, and Theory Requirements (15 credits): 

• HFS 621 Statistical Concepts I 

• HFS 631 Research Methods for Human Development and Family Science I 

• HFS 667 Child and Family in Cross Cultural Perspectives

Additionally, choose 2 out of 3 of the following courses:

• HFS 637 Theories, Interpretations, and Applications in Child Development 

• HFS 643 Aging in the Context of Family Life

• HFS 648 Family Theories: Interpretation and Application 

Elective Course Requirements (12 credits): 

At least 12 credits of elective coursework must be selected from the H.D.F.S. Department or related programs (e.g., Psychology, Education, Policy Studies, Sociology, Anthropology). Graduate courses are indicated by their course number (500 or above). Students should consult with their faculty advisor prior to selecting courses. Elective courses should be consistent with the student’s academic interests and goals and form a coherent program of study. For a complete list of available courses, please consult the Syracuse University Course Catalog. 

Culminating Project/Research Options (3 crs.): 

Students are required to select one of the following options to fulfill either the Master’s Applied Project/Internship or Thesis requirement.

• HFS 996 - Masters Project 3 credit(s)

• HFS 997 - Masters Thesis 3 credit(s)

Independent Study:

M.S. students may take up to 3 credits as “Independent Study.” An independent study may include research projects, literature reviews, or other scholarly activities beyond those involved in standard coursework. All independent studies are conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Students must complete the “Independent Study Form.” The independent study must be completed in the semester when it is undertaken. 

Master’s Project (3 credits, HFS 996):

This practical/applied option requires students to undertake an applied project or internship in real-world settings.

In addition to their coursework, students must complete a “master’s project.” Students are expected to work in service or agency settings on projects approved by their faculty committees. Students must communicate with the HDFS Internship Coordinator 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the semester to secure a placement agency. Applied work can include assisting an agency to plan and/or implement a program for families/children at a human service agency or related program on the local, national, or international level. Projects have been conducted in agencies such as the Children’s Defense Fund, Head Start, and local childcare programs. 

Master’s Project Committee and Proposal: All projects must be approved by the student’s Master’s project committee. The committee is comprised of your advisor (who will serve as committee chair) and one other faculty member from the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Only H.D.F.S. tenured and tenure track faculty, and Professors of Practice may chair a Master’s project committee. H.D.F.S. Internship Coordinators may serve as a committee member, but they may not serve as committee chair. Students are required to schedule three (3) meetings per semester with the HDFS Internship Coordinator to discuss progress, issues and other matters related to their practicum placement.

The proposal must be submitted to the committee for evaluation. The committee will determine if the proposal is of sufficient quality to progress to the proposal defense. At the time of the proposal defense, the student will present the proposed project and address any questions or concerns raised by the committee. The committee will determine whether the proposal is coherent, well developed, of sufficient importance, and feasible within a given timeframe. Students whose project proposals are deemed “unsatisfactory” will be required to re-defend their proposal. 

Students must submit their proposal to their committee members no less than 4 weeks prior to the date of the proposal defense. The proposal should include: 

• A description of the project 

• Importance of the project 

• Procedures to be used to conduct the project

• Letter from the site supervisor agreeing for the student to complete the project at the site

• Timeline for completion 

Master’s Project Defense:

When the project is completed, the student must provide a written report to his/her faculty advisor who will ascertain the quality of the project and provide feedback. After the faculty advisor has given his/her approval of the document, the student should submit a copy of the project to the other members of the committee (3-4 weeks). After all committee members have approved the document, the student can set the final defense date. Students are not required to complete a Request for Examination form. Students should follow the American Psychological Association (A.P.A.) guidelines. Students are responsible for properly tracking their practicum hours (90 per semester) via the timesheets provided by the HDFS Internship Coordinator.

• Defenses may be scheduled during the fall and spring semesters only. 

• The final oral defense of a project may be waived if any of the following conditions are met. 

• Student has written up the specific project for a scientific journal and it has been published or is in press (as primary author) 

• Student has presented on the specific project at a national conference (as primary author) 

• Student’s grant proposal based on the project has been funded (as primary investigator) 

Following successful completion of the Master’s defense, the faculty advisor will send a memo of completion to the Graduate School. A final copy of the project must be provided to the H.D.F.S. Department. 

Master’s Thesis (3 credits, HFS 997):

This theoretical/research-based option requires students to undertake a scholarly thesis with data analyses and is particularly suitable for those interested in a research career or a Ph.D. program.

Master’s Thesis Committee and Proposal:

All theses must be approved by the student’s Master’s thesis committee. The committee is comprised of your advisor (who will serve as committee chair) and two additional faculty members from the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Only H.D.F.S. tenured and tenure track faculty, and Professors of Practice may chair a Master’s thesis committee. H.D.F.S. Internship Coordinators may serve as a committee member, but they may not serve as committee chair.  The student may select one faculty member from outside of the department if the expertise of this individual is related to the student’s thesis.

The proposal must be submitted to the committee for evaluation. The committee will determine if the proposal is of sufficient quality to progress to the proposal defense. At the time of the proposal defense the student will present the proposed thesis and address any questions or concerns raised by the committee. The committee will determine whether the proposal is coherent, well developed, of sufficient importance, and feasible within a given timeframe. Students whose thesis proposals are deemed “unsatisfactory” will be required to re-defend their proposal. 

Students must submit their proposal to their committee members no less than 4 weeks prior to the date of the proposal defense. The proposal should include: 

• Introduction 

• Importance of the study 

• Literature review 

• Research questions and/or hypotheses 

• Proposed methodology (proposed sample, measures, and analytical techniques) 

Institutional Review Board Approval:

Students must consult the Institutional Review Board (I.R.B.) to determine if their proposal requires I.R.B. approval at the Office of Research Integrity and Protections website. 

Final Defense of Thesis:

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 page.  All M.S. students must complete a Request for Examination form, at least three weeks prior to your defense date.

Defenses may only be scheduled during the fall and spring semesters. All thesis defenses are open to the public and students are expected to provide the departmental administrative assistant with an abstract of their thesis two weeks prior to the defense. One copy of the thesis should be made available in the departmental office for public reading two weeks prior to the defense. 

Note: All H.D.F.S. faculty are eligible to serve as committee members (tenure, tenure track, professors of practice, full-time instructors), however only tenure track and tenured faculty may chair a thesis committee. 

All students must follow the graduate school guidelines for formatting their thesis found at the Graduate School Guidelines for Doctoral Dissertations & Master's Theses. In addition, students should follow the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. 

Sample Course Schedule M.S. Program: 

Fall Year 1

• HFS 621 Statistical Concepts I

• HFS 637 Theories, Interpretations, and Applications

• HFS 648 Family Theories: Interpretation and Application

Spring Year 1

• HFS 631 Research Methods for Child and Family Studies I

• HFS 667 Child and Family in Cross Cultural Perspectives

• HFS Elective

Fall Year 2

• Elective

• Elective

• Elective

Spring Year 2

• HFS 996 Master’s Project 

or

• HFS 997 Master’s Thesis

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 

The Ph.D. program is designed to advance students learning in the theory, literature, and research within the field of Human Development and Family Science. Doctoral students are expected to demonstrate a higher level of scientific analysis of the literature and demonstrate the ability to carry out advanced research. The program is designed to move students learning beyond the basic theoretical and analytical level achieved at the Master’s level towards achieving in-depth learning in an area of specialization. 

Students who have completed a M.S. in H.D.F.S. or related disciplines are eligible to apply to the Ph.D. program. Those who have a M.A. in H.D.F.S. or related disciplines and have not completed a thesis in their program may be required to take additional courses and/or conduct a research project prior to taking their comprehensive examinations. Students in this category must discuss their situation with their faculty advisor and the graduate director. 

Doctoral degree consists of 72 graduate credits (60 course credits and 12 dissertation credits) 

Core Requirements (24 credits)

• HFS 621 Statistical Concepts I 

• HFS 622 Statistical Concepts II 

• HFS 631 Research Methods for Child and Family Studies I 

• HFS 637 Theories, Interpretations, and Applications in Child Development 

• HFS 648 Family Theories: Interpretation and Application 

• HFS 667 Child and Family in Cross Cultural Perspectives 

• HFS 732 Research Methods for Child and Family Studies II 

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 2024-2025 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.

Independent Study (6 credits)

Ph.D. students may take up to 6 credits as “Independent Study”. Activities undertaken may include research projects, internships, reviews of literature, etc. Students should complete the “Independent Study Form” in which they must state in detail how the independent study will be completed. The independent study must be completed in the semester when it is undertaken. As this is a supervised project, the faculty member and student must meet regularly to ascertain student progress.

Sample Course Schedule Ph.D. Program:

Fall Year 1

• HFS 621 Statistical Concepts I

• HFS 637 Theories, Interpretations, and Applications

• HFS 667 Child and Family in Cross Cultural Perspectives (or HFS Elective)

Spring Year 1

• HFS 622 Statistical Concepts II

• HFS 631 Research Methods for Child and Family Studies I

• HFS 648 Family Theories: Interpretation and Application

Summer Year 1

• Elective/HFS Directed Elective

• Elective

Fall Year 2

• HFS 667 Child and Family in Cross Cultural Perspectives (or HFS Elective)

• HFS 732 Research Methods for Child and Family Studies II

• Elective/ Methods or Stats Course

Spring Year 2

• Elective/ Methods or Stats Course

• HFS Directed Elective

• Elective/ HFS Directed Elective

Summer Year 2

• Elective/ HFS Directed Elective

• Elective

Fall Year 3

• Elective/ HFS Directed Elective

• Elective/ HFS Directed Elective

• Elective

Spring Year 3

• Elective

• Thesis Credits (6)

Summer Year 3

• Thesis Credits (6)

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Exam is designed to assess a student’s knowledge, skills, and ability in conducting research in Human Development and Family Science, in preparation for the dissertation. There are several options for the form this exam can take that are designed to fit with students’ differing interests and career goals. Doctoral students must successfully complete the exam, which represents the successful completion of a qualifying project, before they can advance to candidacy. Students enrolled in the M.S. and who have continued on to the Ph.D. program must have submitted their Master’s thesis prior to sitting for the comprehensive examinations.  Students should take the comprehensive exam during their third year of full-time study and must complete by the fall semester of their 4th year in the program at the latest. If successful in passing the comprehensive exam, they should defend their dissertation proposals in the spring/summer of that same year (year 4) in the program at the latest. If successful in defending their dissertation proposals, they can proceed to write their dissertations and defend the final dissertation in year 5 at the latest.

Comprehensive Exam Options:

Literature review paper option - The student will write a publishable quality review paper on a topic relevant to their dissertation topic. It need not be a structured or systematic review, but provide a comprehensive review of the literature, including discussion of relevant theories, research findings, methodologies, and areas for future research. While there is no set page limit, they will generally be expected to be the length of a publishable journal article and approximately 30 pages. The student will submit the final paper to their committee for review.

Research paper option - The student will write a publishable quality research paper (qualitative or quantitative) to be submitted to a journal. The student will be responsible for conceptualizing the research questions, analyzing the data, and drafting all sections of the paper; however, they may have other coauthors who can provide feedback. The student will submit the final paper to their committee for review prior to journal submission. However, in cases where a student has already published or submitted a paper while in the HDFS program, it can be approved for the comprehensive exam by the committee if the advisor and other collaborators attest that the student completed the vast majority of work on the paper. Papers should be written as full-length reports to a target journal and must incorporate relevant theory.

Grant proposal option - The student will write a proposal for an external dissertation grant (e.g., NIH F31, NIH R36 or other comparable foundation grant). Grants may differ in funding amount, etc., but the submission must be of a length and scope that will demonstrate the skills necessary for the dissertation. The students will follow all grant submission guidelines for writing and then submit the document to their committee for review. For an NIH grant, the document sent to the committee should include the specific aims and research strategy. For grants from other sources, students should submit the comparable documents that demonstrate the significance, background literature and theory, and research methods proposed. Students may then submit their proposal to the funding organization if eligible, though submission is not required to complete the comprehensive exam. Students who are choosing to submit their proposal must submit the draft proposal to their comprehensive exam committee for feedback at least one month prior to the grant submission deadline.

Comprehensive Exam Process

1. By the end of the semester prior to when the comprehensive exam is taken (generally when all or nearly all non-thesis coursework is completed), students, in consultation with their advisor, should form their comprehensive exam committee, which will consist of three faculty members, including the student’s advisor.  At least two of the committee members must be faculty in HDFS. It is expected that this committee will continue to serve as the student’s dissertation committee upon successful completion of the comprehensive exam.

2. Once the student has established the committee and decided upon the qualifying project format, they will contact the graduate director and administrative assistant and let them know their qualifying project plans and committee membership.

3. The student will work with their advisor to create a proposal for their qualifying project and timeline for completion. The proposal will include a description of the importance of their topic, relevant theories, and gaps in the literature, and how their project will fill current gaps in the literature, and their proposed methodologies for the project, with references (about 10-20). The format will look slightly different depending on the proposed type, but should situate the student’s work within the current literature, provide a rationale for the work, and include information about the methods students will use.

4. Once the proposal and timeline is drafted and approved by the student’s advisor, the advisor will send the proposal to the dissertation committee, cc’ing the graduate director.

5. The committee will then give feedback on the proposal and discuss the feasibility of the proposed timeline. Committee members will provide their feedback to the advisor within two weeks, and the advisor will summarize this feedback and provide feedback on necessary changes to the student.

6. The student will then complete their qualifying project by the deadline determined by the committee and submit the final project.

7. The committee will then meet and discuss whether the project is acceptable or whether revisions are required to pass the comprehensive exam. The comprehensive examination will be scored using a standard evaluation rubric. The Committee’s evaluation will be completed within one month of the submission of the review.

8. The advisor will communicate the results to the graduate director and administrative assistant.

9. The Graduate Director will inform the student of the committee’s decision on the quality of their work within 1 week of the receipt of the evaluation.

10. Should the committee have concerns about the quality of the student’s work, the student will have one opportunity to improve the quality of their work. The resubmission must be completed within a period of 6 months following the committee’s request for revision of the review. Students whose work is deemed not satisfactory on their second attempt will be dismissed from the Program.

There are no set dates to complete the comprehensive exams; however, projects should be completed in about one semester/four months from proposal approval and must be completed by the 4^th year Fall at the latest (and should generally be completed in the 3^rd year). Projects resulting from the comprehensive exam should not be submitted to external organizations (e.g., journal, IRB, grant agency) before receiving feedback from the committee, unless they have received prior approval (e.g., approval to use a prior paper as the comprehensive exam). If a student uses an existing paper for the research paper option, their proposal should situate the project in current theory and literature and discuss why the project is suitable for the comprehensive exam. In this case, the committee will approve the proposal and qualifying project in the same round of feedback (e.g., decide whether the paper is an acceptable qualifying project in step 5) unless there are objections to the use of the paper as the qualifying project. All projects can have coauthors or collaborators, but the student must be the primary author and be responsible for the research questions, analysis, writing, etc. The literature review paper and research paper options could become the first paper of a three-paper dissertation, whereas the data collection protocol and grant submission options will inform the topic and methods for the dissertation.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the Doctoral Examination students will advance to the status of “doctoral candidate.”

Dissertation

Dissertation Committee:

The dissertation committee consists of a minimum of four members. The oral defense chair is a voting committee member who must be a Syracuse University tenured/tenure track faculty member from outside HDFS. In addition to the oral defense chair, the dissertation committee has a minimum of three core members, among whom a minimum of two members must be tenured or tenure-track HDFS faculty including the dissertation advisor. A non-HDFS member of a three-member committee should be tenure track or tenured faculty and employed at Syracuse University. If either or both of these conditions are not met, this member can be added by petition to the committee by the HDFS graduate director with approval of the dissertation advisor.

Additional committee members beyond the required three core members can include: Syracuse University non-tenure track faculty members with a PhD or comparable doctorate and/or an individual with similar credentials who is external to the University, assuming the individual has appropriate subject matter expertise. Students appointing additional members must consult with their dissertation advisor and receive approval from the HDFS graduate director. Additional committee members are voting members. To pass the exam, a majority of committee member votes must be favorable. The student is entitled to an explanation from the committee concerning the outcome of the defense. 

To form the committee, the doctoral candidate confers with their dissertation advisor to identify appropriate committee members. Once committee members are identified, and with HDFS and Graduate School approval, an oral defense examination may be scheduled.

Dissertation Format:

Students have the choice of either a traditional one-paper thesis or a three-paper model.

Traditional One-Paper Thesis Option

Dissertation Proposal:

The dissertation is the culmination of a program of advanced study leading to the doctoral degree. It should embody the result of original research that constitutes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in child development or family studies. It is expected to possess a unity of theme, provide evidence of originality and critical judgment, and exhibit credible literary quality worthy of publication. Prior to beginning their dissertation, doctoral candidates must receive approval from their dissertation committee (see below).

The dissertation proposal should be developed in close consultation with the faculty advisor. After the advisor has given his/her approval, the student should convene a dissertation proposal defense. 

Committee members should be given 3-4 weeks to read the document prior to the proposal defense date. Committee members may request additional time if they have suggestions or concerns that the candidate may need to address prior to the defense. At the defense, the student will be expected to present key aspects of the proposed study, as well as respond to committee member questions. The student should be prepared to justify the relevance of the proposed research and the soundness of the methodology. Students whose dissertation proposals are deemed “unsatisfactory” will be asked to address any areas of concern and re-defend their proposal.

Using the format below, the candidate must submit a proposal describing their study: 

Introduction:

The introductory paragraphs of the proposal should provide an orientation to the study. They establish the overall area of concern, arouse interest, and communicate information essential to the readers’ comprehension of the material to follow. The section includes a description of the problem to be investigated, a statement of the purpose of the study, and an indication of the research question(s) and/or hypotheses to be addressed. 

Review of Literature:

This section of the proposal establishes the foundation for the study by providing the link between existing knowledge, previous investigations or contemporary practice. It answers two questions: (1) what is already known and (2) how is this particular study designed to move beyond the extant research in the field. The literature review contains only those studies that provide a framework and foundation for the proposed investigation. These studies are discussed in sufficient detail to make their relevance clear. Pay particular attention to: 

1. Substantive knowledge in the area and critical analysis of the literature 

2. Issues of methodology and interpretations 

3. Conceptual and theoretical formulations 

If appropriate, include a description of how the project is related to the theoretical models in the field or how it contributes to the formation of new theory. If this section is lengthy, consideration should be given to having a separate section under the heading “Theoretical Model”, in the proposal. The use of subheadings is encouraged. It is also recommended that the review section conclude with a brief summary of the literature reviewed and provide an overview of the important points that lend credence to the rationale of the proposed study. 

Methodology:

The method section includes a detailed discussion of the research design and the procedures used to accomplish the study. The section should include: 

1. Identification and description of the target population and the sampling method 

2. Presentation of instruments and techniques for measurement 

3. Explanation of design for the collection of data 

4. Presentation of procedures for data collection 

5. Description of the pilot study (if appropriate) 

6. Presentation of plans for the analysis of data 

Appendices: 

Appendices are optional. Students may want to include copies of survey documents or other original materials in appendices. It is recommended that the student consult with their faculty advisor about what documents to include.  

Institutional Review Board Approval: 

The University and the faculty are ethically and legally responsible for the well-being and protection of all human subjects involved in research, classroom activities, or demonstrations (as required by Public law 93-348). Thus, approval by the Institutional Review Board (I.R.B.) is mandatory before any research involving human subjects may be conducted (see I.R.B. website for exceptions). Therefore, any dissertation that involves human subjects must obtain I.R.B. approval. Application forms and instructions can be found at the Office of Research Integrity and Protections website.

Three-Paper Dissertation Option

The three-paper dissertation requires students to demonstrate all the knowledge and skills in research required of a more traditional dissertation format. However, rather than a document with multiple chapters (e.g., Introduction, Theoretical Theory, Method, etc.), it will include three publishable-quality papers, which are framed by an overall Introduction and Conclusion that contextualize the three papers within the larger topic area. The three papers should aim to answer distinct yet related research questions in the same general topic area, with subsequent papers building on the insights of previous ones. The papers can be viewed as the start of a larger program of research on a given topic.

The three papers will constitute new works where the student is the first author and completes the majority of the work (as in a traditional dissertation). These papers may be new, unpublished works; however, students may include three published or submitted papers with the approval of their dissertation committee (e.g., two published/one submitted). They will be written with particular journals in mind and reflect the length guidelines of the journals. The papers may be based on primary data collection or secondary data, may include one or multiple data sources, and can use quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approaches, as deemed appropriate through consultation with the advisor and committee. At least two of the papers should be data-based (quantitative or qualitative), and the third can either be data-based or a review paper, with committee permission. Manuscripts in the dissertation may have coauthors, but the student should be the first and primary author on all manuscripts. Submitted or published papers with coauthors may be included in the dissertation if agreed upon by the committee and must a) be related to the overall topic of the dissertation, b) completed while the student was in the doctoral program, and c) have all coauthors confirm the students’ primary role on the paper.

The three-paper option may be not appropriate for all students and all dissertation projects and should be proposed only with a) the approval of the student’s academic advisor and b) the approval of the dissertation committee. Students should discuss this option with their advisor and receive approval from their advisor and committee to propose a three-paper dissertation before beginning work on the dissertation proposal. Students will follow all departmental and graduate school guidelines in the completion of their dissertation.

Three-Paper Dissertation Proposal Format

1. Overarching Introduction. The introductory section should provide an introduction to the general topic area. It should state the importance of studying the topic, backed by theoretical or conceptual model(s) and a brief review of relevant literature. After introducing the topic, this section should then summarize the proposed papers, describing how they are important to the study of the general topic area. The student will then include a reference section for the overarching introduction.

2. Proposed Paper 1. This section will propose a publishable-quality paper 1 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. It will typically include the following sections:

   1. Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2. Proposed methods. This section will include information about the participants, 
      procedures, and methods used in the study. For primary data collection projects, this will include information about how participants will be recruited, target number of participants, and the proposed procedures and measures. For secondary analysis projects, this section will include a description of the data and procedures used to collect it, and descriptive information about the sample and/or analytic sample to be used in the paper. In addition, this section should describe the proposed analyses for the paper.

   3. References for Paper 1.

3. Proposed Paper 2. This section will propose a publishable-quality paper 2 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. This should be tailored to the research questions for Paper 2. It will typically include the following sections:

   1.  Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2.  Proposed methods. This section will include information about the participants, 
      procedures, and methods used in the study. For primary data collection projects, this will include information about how participants will be recruited, target number of participants, and the proposed procedures and measures. For secondary analysis projects, this section will include a description of the data and procedures used to collect it, and descriptive information about the sample and/or analytic sample to be used in the paper. In addition, this section should describe the proposed analyses for the paper.

   3. References for Paper 2.

4. Proposed Paper 3. This section will propose a publishable-quality paper 3 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. This should be tailored to the research questions for Paper 3. It will typically include the following sections:

   1.  Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2.  Proposed methods. This section will include information about the participants, 
      procedures, and methods used in the study. For primary data collection projects, this will include information about how participants will be recruited, target number of participants, and the proposed procedures and measures. For secondary analysis projects, this section will include a description of the data and procedures used to collect it, and descriptive information about the sample and/or analytic sample to be used in the paper. In addition, this section should describe the proposed analyses for the paper.

   3. References for Paper 3.

Three-Paper Dissertation Format

1. Abstract (for the dissertation as a whole)

2. Overarching Introduction. The introductory section should provide an introduction to the general topic area. It should state the importance of studying the topic, backed by theoretical or conceptual model(s) and a brief review of relevant literature. After Introducing the topic, this section should then summarize the papers, describing how they are important to the study of the general topic area. The student will then include a reference section for the overarching introduction.

3. Paper 1. This section will be a publishable-quality paper 1 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. This paper 1 should be specifically tailored to address its unique research questions, clearly distinguishing it from other papers in the dissertation. It will typically include the following sections, depending on what is appropriate for the journal:

   1. Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2. Methods. This section will include information about the participants, procedures, and methods used in the study.

   3. Results. This section will discuss the results for paper 1, with appropriate reporting of statistics, tables and figures.

   4. Discussion. This section will contextualize the results of paper 1, linking it to the theoretical models and prior literature, providing potential explanations for findings, and discussing the implications of the findings.

   5. References for Paper 1.

4. Paper 2. This section will propose a publishable-quality paper 2 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. This should be tailored to the research questions for Paper 2. It will typically include the following sections:

   1. Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2. Methods. This section will include information about the participants, procedures, and methods used in the study.

   3. Results. This section will discuss the results for paper 2, with appropriate reporting of statistics, tables and figures.

   4. Discussion. This section will contextualize the results of paper 2, linking it to the theoretical models and prior literature, providing potential explanations for findings, and discussing the implications of the findings.

   5. References for Paper 2.

5. Paper 3. This section will propose a publishable-quality paper 3 in the topic area, written with a target journal in mind. This should be tailored to the research questions for Paper 3. It will typically include the following sections:

   1. Introduction. This section will typically include a) theoretical or conceptual model, b) literature review, c) research aims or hypotheses.

   2. Methods. This section will include information about the participants, procedures, and methods used in the study.

   3. Results. This section will discuss the results for paper 3, with appropriate reporting of statistics, tables and figures.

   4. Discussion. This section will contextualize the results of paper 3, linking it to the theoretical models and prior literature, providing potential explanations for findings, and discussing the implications of the findings.

   5. References for Paper 3.

6. Overarching Conclusion. This section will discuss the results across the three papers. It will analyze how the three studies support or do not support the theoretical models or prior literature, discuss notable findings, and discuss the implications of the findings as a whole. The student will then include a reference section for the overarching discussion.

Additional Clarification for the Three-Paper Dissertation Format

Students may choose to write a 3-paper dissertation in which 3 manuscripts are prepared. For each manuscript, all committee members must agree on the focus and aims, the target journal, timeline for submission, and any planned co-authorship. The manuscripts must be distinct from each other, but the student must be able to logically tie them together toward a focused program of research. At least two of the manuscripts must be data-based and report new and original findings. The third manuscript can either be empirical or a critical review of the topic (ending in next directions for field). If choosing a review paper that stems from one’s preliminary examination, the concept would be expected to have been substantially further developed. 
   
The manuscripts can have co-authors, but the student should be the first author on all manuscripts. Students are required to complete the below table to indicate their percent effort, and that of co- authors, on each manuscript in the categories of conceptualization, analysis, and writing. Co-authors must attest that the student did the majority of the work and most of the writing. Manuscripts do not need to be submitted to the selected journals prior to graduation but should be formatted according to the journal guidelines. All three manuscripts can be already submitted, reviewed, or published at the time of the dissertation defense, at the discretion of the committee, as long as: 1) they are substantive to the dissertation, 2) the work was completed while the student was enrolled in the PhD program, 3) the student is the first author of the manuscript, and 4) all co-authors confirm that the student did the majority of the work. If manuscripts already accepted for publication are to be included, the student must obtain written permission from the copyright holder (the journal) to include the material in the dissertation deposited with the Graduate School. Committee members should expect that journal page restrictions will limit the amount of detail that can be provided in the manuscripts. Instruments, tables, and other relevant documents may be submitted as appendices, but a limit of no more than 30 pages of appendices is recommended.

Table. Authorship Contributions Across Manuscripts: Percentage Effort Distribution