Family, youth, and community - Ph.D.
Family education and youth development leadership are two long-standing programs recognized nationally and internationally for their progressive curriculum. These traditions have joined together to form family, youth, and community (FYC) as a field of study in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
FYC’s doctoral program prepares professionals to assume educational and leadership roles in Minnesota, nationally, and in many parts of the world. Graduates experience success in obtaining positions in colleges and universities, in public and private schools, and in community-based organizations and institutions.
FYC graduate programs enable professionals to create holistic programs of study related to their educational interests in families, youth, and communities. The Ph.D. program provides experienced professionals an opportunity to advance their knowledge, research, and leadership skills. Our Ph.D. graduates have assumed leadership roles as coordinators, professors, and deans.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. degree may focus their graduate studies and research on any of the three emphasis areas of family, youth, or community, or they may pursue more connected and comprehensive studies by combining more than one of these emphasis areas.
Diane R.
Anderson
Student profile
I chose to stay and do my graduate work here because it’s a beautiful campus,
there is a wonderful diversity in students and faculty, and there are tremendous opportunities for learning.
Family: for those interested in supporting families in developing their capacities to create and evaluate goals and alternative solutions to the problems of everyday life, and assume responsibility for consequences of their decisions.
Youth: for those committed to the healthy development of young people, to understanding the youth development process, and to working on behalf of young people by addressing the challenges facing today’s youth.
Community: for those who see the possibilities for education in, for, and with communities and who seek to innovate and lead educational efforts that benefit communities of people across cultures and generations.
Ph.D. students have opportunities to work closely with graduate faculty members who share their interests and possess expertise in their chosen emphasis area.
Faculty
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Yvonne S. Gentzler
I teach courses in our family and consumer sciences (FACS) teacher licensure program. My research focuses on issues related to the qualities central to the development of professionals including such topics as identification and selection of major, mentoring, and leadership. - Jane Plihal
I have taught courses in our family and consumer sciences teacher licensure program as well as courses on interpretive research methodology. My recent research has used a phenomenological approach to studying a variety of topics related to education. I now advise advanced doctoral students, but am not accepting additional advisees. -
Jerome (Jerry) Stein
My research interests are in democratic learning communities; community building; history and philosophy of youth work; philosophy and politics of community-based learning; ecologies of education (non school-based learning); cultures of learning. - Ruth G. Thomas
My research interests concern cognitive theory-based instructional design, curriculum and program development, and family and parent education. Currently, I serve as department chair for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. - Joyce A. Walker
My work at the University of Minnesota has always been divided between educational outreach to community-based youth development programs and campus-based teaching in youth work, non-formal education, and adult education. - Susan K. Walker
I teach courses in parent education and in family, youth, and community. My research interests include the use of technology in parent education, and intersections between parenting and early education, and between formal and informal parent education.
Affiliate graduate faculty
- Ross Velure Roholt — School of Social Work Community-based models for youth participation and youth development; youthwork practices to enhance community-based models of youth participation and youth development.
Course requirements
Required coursework for the Ph.D. in education, curriculum
and instruction.
Track: family, youth, and community:
Specializations: family,
youth,
community, or
combined (2 or 3 areas of
specialization)
Financial support
Scholarships and fellowships are not available at this time.
