GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will add a new Ph.D. program in youth development and family science to start in fall 2017. This is the first doctoral program in Florida and at an Association of American Universities (AAU) institution in the southeast to focus on youth development.
As part of the family, youth and community sciences (FYCS) department, this doctoral program is appropriate for individuals looking to pursue a tenure-track faculty position or a research career in government, nonprofit or private sectors. The program offers opportunities for doctoral students to engage in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.
“This is very exciting for our department since this will be our first Ph.D. program,” said Tracy Irani, chair of the FYCS department. “We’ve had FYCS graduates of UF contact us on a regular basis to see if a doctoral program has been added to our curriculum and we can now say, ‘Yes!’ We just hired a prevention science methodologist specifically for this program.”
The new degree will build on the successes and strengths of the FYCS department as a leader in youth development research. Influences on youth in family and community dynamics will be addressed in the coursework. A prevention science approach that speaks to youth in at-risk situations will also be included.
The degree is designed to be both academically rigorous as well as hands-on. Students will be able to take additional field-based elective courses in addition to theory, methodology and data analysis classes.
“We are excited to welcome youth development and family science students to the CALS academic family and look forward to seeing their work advance knowledge in this area,” said CALS Dean Elaine Turner. “The program will join more than 20 doctoral programs currently offered within CALS.”
The application deadline for priority consideration for funding and assistantships is Jan. 15. Applications will continue to be accepted until March 15. Applicants are encouraged to visit http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/phd-program/ or contact Larry Forthun at lforthun@ufl.edu, 352-273-3528 for more information.
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By: Dana Edwards, 352-392-1963, dana.edwards@ufl.edu
Sources: Tracy Irani, 352-273-3446, irani@ufl.edu
Elaine Turner, 352-392-1963, returner@ufl.edu
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.
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