The HDFS program at UConn allows students to earn either a Master's or Doctoral degree. Please note, our Master’s program is research-focused and intended to prepare students for subsequent doctoral studies. HDFS research interests cluster in five overlapping areas of specialization. Applicants should contact faculty in their interest-area to learn about openings anticipated in the upcoming admission cycle. 

Our Graduate Student Handbook is designed to provide you with basic information concerning what we have to offer, and what we expect of you. This handbook is not meant to displace or in any way void the Graduate School catalog. All University of Connecticut graduate students are held to the basic requirements and regulations of the Graduate School as designated in the catalog. In addition to the overall Graduate School requirements, this Handbook includes certain requirements that our Department has added.

In entering this program, you are joining a field that is being created at the present time. The career you make for yourself at the University of Connecticut and beyond will depend largely upon your own resourcefulness and initiative as you choose from the range of available options. Course requirements are oriented toward presenting you immediately with a content overview, a range of alternative academic and professional directions from which you can choose, and basic research skills. After that, the range of options available to you will depend largely on your choice of directions. Our programs are small enough to be tailored to your personal needs and goals, yet large enough to provide considerable diversity and exposure to a variety of perspectives.