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Twin Cities Campus

Family Social Science Ph.D.

Family Social Science
College of Education and Human Development
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Family Social Science, 290 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (612-625-3116; fax: 612-625-4227)
Email: fsosgrad@umn.edu
Website: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/
  • Program Type: Doctorate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2022
  • Length of program in credits: 72 to 75
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Family social science (FSoS) offers a unique program of study using insights and methods of the social sciences to examine how families work within various contexts and cultures. A doctoral degree in family social science provides a broad foundation of expertise in theory, research, and practice. Your program of study will include research and coursework across the breadth of family social science, including child adjustment in family context; families and culture; families and financial decisions; family formation and intergenerational studies; families, loss, and trauma; and intimate family relationships. Coursework and research engagement, along with intensive mentoring from faculty, prepares students to contribute to the broader field of family science.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.00.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Three overall criteria guide admissions decisions: 1) evidence of strong academic preparation and the ability and desire to perform graduate level scholarship, including research; 2) fit of the applicant's professional goals with family social science (FSoS) faculty scholarship and with the overall FSoS mission, that is, enhancing the well-being of diverse families in a changing world; and 3) unique contributions the applicant would make to FSoS values, including social relevance, collaboration, inclusiveness, excellence, innovation, and diversity.
Special Application Requirements:
Family Science Specialization: Students may apply for admission to the Family Science Ph.D. specialization after completing either a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree. If you do not already hold a Master's degree, you may apply for the combined Master's/Ph.D. Program. Couple & Family Therapy Specialization: The Couple & Family Therapy Ph.D. specialization features rigorous training in couple and family therapy research informed by diverse disciplines and perspectives. This specialization is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Admission to the Couple & Family Therapy specialization is available to applicants who have already obtained a clinical Master's degree, or have achieved equivalent clinical experience as determined by the CFT Faculty.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 550
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
48 to 51 credits are required in the major.
0 credits are required outside the major.
24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 3.50 is required for students to remain in good standing.
Courses in the PhD degree program must contribute to an organized program of study and research. The program requires at least 72 credits, including a minimum of 48 course credits and 24 dissertation credits. Coursework includes at least 23 credits in core family theory and research methods, 9 credits in statistics, and 7 credits of directed research. Students are admitted to one of two designated specializations: family science (9 additional credits) or couple and family therapy (12 additional credits). Students are also required to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at disciplinary conferences, and demonstrate teaching ability, the ability to translate research into practice, and professional service and leadership. Additionally, all students are required to write research, teaching, outreach and engagement, and leadership and professional service statements. Students in the clinical track are also required to write two Theories of Change papers.
Core Requirements
Take the following courses for a total of 23 credits:
FSOS 8200 - Orientation for Family Social Science (1.0 cr)
FSOS 8001 - Conceptual Frameworks in the Family (3.0 cr)
FSOS 8002 - Advanced Family Conceptual Frameworks (3.0 cr)
FSOS 8013 - Qualitative Family Research Methods (3.0 cr)
FSOS 8015 - Advanced Qualitative Family Research Methods (3.0 cr)
FSOS 5014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods I (3.0 cr)
FSOS 5015 - Family Research Laboratory (1.0 cr)
FSOS 8014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods II (3.0 cr)
FSOS 8101 - Family Stress, Coping, and Adaptation (3.0 cr)
Directed Research
Take FSOS 8794 during the first three years of the program for a total of 7 credits.
Take 7 or more credit(s) from the following:
· FSOS 8794 - Directed Research in Family Social Science (1.0-6.0 cr)
Statistics or Methods
Take one of the following statistics/methods sequences for a total of 9 credits:
Family Science
EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I (3.0 cr)
EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II (3.0 cr)
Advanced Statistics or Methods (3.0 cr)
or EPSY 8264 - Advanced Multiple Regression Analysis (3.0 cr)
or EPSY 8266 - Statistical Analysis Using Structural Equation Methods (3.0 cr)
or EPSY 8267 - Applied Multivariate Analysis (3.0 cr)
or EPSY 8268 - Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Educational Research (3.0 cr)
or EPSY 8282 - Statistical Analysis of Longitudinal Data (3.0 cr)
or NURS 8185 - Qualitative Data Analysis for Health Care Research (3.0-4.0 cr)
or NURS 8195 - Mixed Methods Research (2.0 cr)
or Couple & Family Therapy
EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I (3.0 cr)
EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II (3.0 cr)
FSOS 8036 - Couple/Marriage and Family Therapy Research (3.0 cr)
Specialization Requirements
Family Science Specialization
Family Science Electives
Take at least 6 credits in consultation with advisor.
FSOS Elective
or PREV 8001 - Prevention Science: Principles and Practices (3.0 cr)
Community/Engagement/Internship Experience
Take 3 credits of coursework to fulfill the specialization's community, engagement, or internship experience requirement, chosen in consultation with advisor.
FSOS 8193 - Directed Study in Family Social Science (1.0-6.0 cr)
or Elective (3.0 cr)
-OR-
Couple & Family Therapy Specialization Requirements
Family Therapy Supervision
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· FSOS 8034 - Marriage and Family Therapy Supervision (3.0 cr)
Family Therapy Practicum
Take FSOS 8295 twice for a total of 6 credits.
Take 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· FSOS 8196 - Couple/Marriage Family Therapy Practicum (1.0-6.0 cr)
Family Therapy Internship
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
· FSOS 8296 - Couple/ Marriage Family Therapy Internship (1.0-12.0 cr)
 
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FSOS 8200 - Orientation for Family Social Science
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
TBD
FSOS 8001 - Conceptual Frameworks in the Family
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Major theoretical models about families, emphasizing sociohistorical context.
FSOS 8002 - Advanced Family Conceptual Frameworks
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Builds on FSoS 8001 by focusing specifically on family level research questions. Family development/critical theoretical perspectives that can be used to understand/study family processes/contemporary ecological issues. prereq: 8001 or instr consent
FSOS 8013 - Qualitative Family Research Methods
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Approaches to qualitative family research evaluation. Phenomenological, feminist, grounded theory, content analytic, ethnomethodological, ethnographic, program evaluation. Theory, research examples, student projects.
FSOS 8015 - Advanced Qualitative Family Research Methods
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Applying qualitative research methods to understand individual/collective meaning, experience within/across diverse family systems. prereq: 8013 or instr consent
FSOS 5014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Family research methods, issues associated with multiple levels of analysis. Conducting family-focused data analyses using basic/intermediate methods (through ANOVA and multiple regression), including power analysis. Ethical issues involved in family research such as IRB/HIPAA regulations. prereq: Grad student or instr consent
FSOS 5015 - Family Research Laboratory
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Application of basic family research methods into experiential learning using statistical software. Analyses that correspond with problem situations in 5014 and that involve secondary data analyses. Using statistical software for basic family research. Preparation to work with quantitative family data sets. prereq: Grad student or instr consent
FSOS 8014 - Quantitative Family Research Methods II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Quantitative research process, from developing research question to putting findings to use. Major course project basis for class discussion. Family research. Applying research knowledge to study of families. prereq: [5014 or equiv], [8001 or equiv], [two stat courses or instr consent]
FSOS 8101 - Family Stress, Coping, and Adaptation
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Helping families become more resilient to stress by decreasing vulnerability to crises and traumatic stress disorders. Students develop research or intervention proposal on family stress, coping, adaptation, crisis, trauma, or resilience. prereq: 8001 or equiv, research methods course
FSOS 8794 - Directed Research in Family Social Science
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 18.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed research in family social science.
EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EPsy 8251/EPsy 8261
Prerequisites: [EPSY 5261 or equiv] or undergrad statistics course
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Statistical Methods in Education I is the first course in an entry-level, doctoral sequence for students in education. This course covers estimation and hypothesis testing with a particular focus on ANOVA and an introduction to multiple linear regression. Prepares students for EPSY 8252/8262. prereq: [EPSY 5261 or equiv] or undergrad statistics course
EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EPsy 8252/EPsy 8262
Prerequisites: [8251, 8261 or equiv]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Statistical Methods in Education II is the second course in an entry-level, doctoral sequence for students in education. This course focuses on multiple linear regression and provides an introduction to linear mixed models. prereq: [8251, 8261 or equiv]
EPSY 8264 - Advanced Multiple Regression Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
General linear model used as context for regression. Matrix algebra, multiple regression, path analysis, polynomial regression, standardized regression, stepwise solutions, analysis of variance, weighted least squares, logistic regression. prereq: [8252 or equiv], regression/ANOVA course, familiarity with statistical analysis package
EPSY 8266 - Statistical Analysis Using Structural Equation Methods
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites: 8265, [8252 or equiv]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Quantitative techniques using manifest/latent variable approaches for analysis of educational/social science data. Introduction to structural equation modeling approaches to multiple regression, factor analysis, path modeling. Developing, estimating, interpreting structural equation models. prereq: 8265, [8252 or equiv]
EPSY 8267 - Applied Multivariate Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Use/interpretation of results from several multivariate statistical techniques. Matrix algebra, variance/covariance, Hotelling's T2, GLM, MANOVA, MANCOVA, discriminant analysis, canonical correlations, dimensionality, principal components, latent composites, distance, hierarchical clustering. prereq: [8252 or equiv], familiarity with matrix algebra, knowledge of a computerized statistics package
EPSY 8268 - Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Educational Research
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Conceptual framework of hierarchical linear models for nested data, their application in educational research. Nature/effects of nested data, logic of hierarchical models, mixed-effects models. Estimation/hypothesis testing in these models, model-checking, nonlinear models. prereq: [8252 or equiv]
EPSY 8282 - Statistical Analysis of Longitudinal Data
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Traditional/modern approaches to analyzing longitudinal data. Dependent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA/MANOVA. Linear mixed models, multilevel models, generalized models. prereq: [8252 or equiv]
NURS 8185 - Qualitative Data Analysis for Health Care Research
Credits: 3.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Qualitative analysis techniques for descriptive, interpretive, and analytic data including data preparation, management and analysis are presented. Transforming data from multiple texts to theoretical conceptualizations, writing skills and dissemination of qualitative research findings suitable to each method are stressed. prereq: 8171 or grad course in qualitative research methods
NURS 8195 - Mixed Methods Research
Credits: 2.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Synthesis of of qualitative and quantitative approaches in research designs. Evaluation of major mixed method designs and strategies for evaluating quality based on criteria. Data collection and analysis strategies for integrating quantitative and qualitative findings will be explored. prereq: NURS 8141
EPSY 8251 - Statistical Methods in Education I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EPsy 8251/EPsy 8261
Prerequisites: [EPSY 5261 or equiv] or undergrad statistics course
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Statistical Methods in Education I is the first course in an entry-level, doctoral sequence for students in education. This course covers estimation and hypothesis testing with a particular focus on ANOVA and an introduction to multiple linear regression. Prepares students for EPSY 8252/8262. prereq: [EPSY 5261 or equiv] or undergrad statistics course
EPSY 8252 - Statistical Methods in Education II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EPsy 8252/EPsy 8262
Prerequisites: [8251, 8261 or equiv]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Statistical Methods in Education II is the second course in an entry-level, doctoral sequence for students in education. This course focuses on multiple linear regression and provides an introduction to linear mixed models. prereq: [8251, 8261 or equiv]
FSOS 8036 - Couple/Marriage and Family Therapy Research
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Historic/contemporary approaches to C/MFT research with emphasis on prevention, intervention, dissemination from variety of perspectives. prereq: FSOS doctoral student enrolled in Couple Family Therapy (CFT) or instr consent
PREV 8001 - Prevention Science: Principles and Practices
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: OPT No Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Theoretical, empirical, and practical foundations for strategic interventions to prevent behavioral problems and promote healthy development. Multidisciplinary roots of prevention science. Trends/directions. best practices.
FSOS 8193 - Directed Study in Family Social Science
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 12.0]
Prerequisites: Doctoral student in FSoS or related field
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed study. prereq: Doctoral student in FSoS or related field
FSOS 8034 - Marriage and Family Therapy Supervision
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Theories of supervision, structures for supervision, methods of supervision, evaluation process, legal/ethical issues. Therapist-client-supervisor relationships, potential problems, contextual issues. prereq: FSOS doctoral student enrolled in Couple Family Therapy (CFT) or instr consent
FSOS 8196 - Couple/Marriage Family Therapy Practicum
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 24.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Clinical placement doing marriage/family clinical practice. Supervision of couple/marriage. Family therapy in community setting.
FSOS 8296 - Couple/ Marriage Family Therapy Internship
Credits: 1.0 -12.0 [max 12.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Supervised clinical/other professional practical experiences in couple/marriage, family therapy. prereq: FSOS doctoral student enrolled in Couple Family Therapy (CFT) or instr consent