Students in the HCDE PhD program complete a minimum of 90 credits of coursework and research as they progress toward degree completion. The first two years are primarily focused on academic course work as the foundation for ensuing research. The remainder of the program is focused on extensive research and program milestones. 

The 90 credits include:

• 30 core course credits
• 10 credits of Directed Research Groups
• 12 credits within a concentration developed collaboratively by the student and the advisor
• 11 credits of free electives
• 27 credits of dissertation research 

Students who enter the PhD program with a previous graduate degree relevant to HCDE can petition to have up to 30 credits transferred toward the doctoral program upon approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Required core courses

• HCDE 541: Introduction to PhD Studies in HCDE (2 credits)
• HCDE 542: Theoretical Foundations (4 cr)
• HCDE 543: Empirical Traditions (4 cr)
• HCDE 544: Methods I (experimental/quasi-experimental) (4 cr)
• HCDE 545: Methods II (verbal data/naturalistic observation) (4 cr)
• HCDE 546: Design Thinking (4 cr)
• Theory elective (4) 
• Methods elective (4)

Additional Requirements

• HCDE 596: Directed Research (minimum total 10 cr)
• 12 credits within a concentration to be developed collaboratively by the student and the advisor
• 11 credits of free electives
• 27 credits of HCDE 800 Doctoral Dissertation

Some HCDE PhD students complete a Master of Science in HCDE in addition to their PhD, though this is a separate degree with different goals and, consequently, additional requirements. View the MS HCDE requirements for PhD students.