Welcome to the UC Davis Human Development Graduate Group!

We offer interdisciplinary graduate-level training in the study of human development across all domains (biological, cognitive, emotional, physical, social), with an emphasis on the contexts in which development occurs (peers, family, school, community, health & nutrition, policies & programs). The program has two separate degree options, a PhD in Human Development and a MS in Child Development, each with the flexibility of designing an individualized plan of study to fit students’ specific goals and develop original research on their topic of interest.

About the Program

Students choose their major professor and committee members from approximately 50 HDGG faculty members representing a range of disciplines, departments, centers and institutes. Faculty in the Human Development Graduate Group support study and research training across a range of theories and perspectives to foster new and innovative questions about human development within cultural, family, social, and policy contexts. Students work closely with an academic advisor to design an individualized plan of study to reach their training goals. There are options to add a minor in Quantitative Psychology and to obtain a designated emphasis in Translational Research, Computational Social Science (CSS), and International and Community Nutrition by completing additional requirements.

Our program prepares graduates for careers as university professors and researchers, as well as positions in applied settings such as government and policy organizations, social services agencies, and business and industry. Many of our students have successfully competed for fellowships and awards from the NSF, NIH, and Ford Foundation, presented at national and international scientific conferences, and published papers as the first author in top developmental journals.

Questions? Please feel free to contact us.