The Department of Child and Family Studies is an excellent program in which to pursue a graduate degree. We offer master’s and doctoral degree options, as well as a Certificate in International Children, Youth, and Families. Our graduate programs are based on the model of the “empirically based professional” or social scientist.
Our graduate students learn to conduct research according to established standards of scientific inquiry and evaluation.
Graduate work in CFS successfully prepares students for faculty positions in higher education, careers in public education, community outreach, state and federal research agencies, as well as leadership positions in child care and in human service agencies.
We are proud to report that of our recent doctoral alumni, the majority now hold faculty (45%) and lecturer (20%) positions in higher education, 20% transitioned into competitive postdoctoral research positions, and 15% hold leadership roles in early education and community outreach agencies. A large proportion of our MS alumni are also in leadership positions in early care and education and human service agencies across the United States.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available to our students, and the department’s faculty members offer advanced training and collaborative research opportunities.
Faculty and Graduate Student Profiles
In addition to the information provided within our programs’ pages, we strongly encourage prospective students to explore the individual research profiles of our faculty and current PhD and MS students. Please feel free to reach out to individual faculty members to connect and ask questions. Please also see https://cfs.utk.edu/research/
Graduate Program Highlights
Graduate Contacts
Director of Graduate Studies
Amy Rauer, PhD
arauer@utk.edu
Graduate Admin. Program Specialist
Rachel Heston
rxb289@utk.edu
865-974-6382