Human Development

About the Program

Learn More About the Program

The Human Development Graduate Group includes both the doctoral program in Human Development (described below) and the Master's program in Child Development. The primary goal of the doctoral program in Human Development is to educate students in the theories, methods, and research that provide the basis for expanding knowledge and understanding of human development from an interdisciplinary perspective. Consistent with this goal, the program has a tripartite emphasis: - It incorporates study in three domains of human development: biological, social-emotional, and cognitive; - It organizes the study of human development across the lifespan from conception to death; and - It emphasizes the context within which human development takes place, including cultural institutions such as families, schools, and hospitals; the environmental conditions related to nutrition, health, and disease; and the social and legal policies that affect development. The degree prepares students for university teaching, research, administration of programs, consultation, program development, etc., in a variety of settings including those in education, medicine, mental health, public health, social services, government, etc.

Degree Type
Interdisciplinary Graduate Group
Degrees Offered
Ph.D. Plan A
Lead Dean

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Major Code
GHDE

Admissions and Fellowship Information

Admission Deadlines
General: Dec 15, 2023
Space Available: Mar 1, 2024
Internal Fellowship Deadlines
Prospective Student Fellowship: Dec 15, 2023
Continuing Student Fellowship: Jan 15, 2024

Program Contact Information

Primary Program Contacts

Graduate Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator
Kimberly Berardi
(530) 754-4109 | kyberardi@ucdavis.edu

Graduate Program Chair

Graduate Group Chair
Lenna Ontai
(530) 752-6410 | lontai@ucdavis.edu

Additional Contacts

Program Contacts

Advisor: General
Amanda Guyer
Human Development
(530) 297-4445 | aeguyer@ucdavis.edu

Advisor: Admissions Only
Meng Huo
Human Development
mmhuo@ucdavis.edu

Advisor: General
Siwei Liu
Human Development
sweliu@ucdavis.edu

Advisor: Admissions Only
Adrienne Nishina
Human Development
(530) 752-7003 | anishina@ucdavis.edu

Advisor: Primary Contact
Lenna Ontai
Human Development
(530) 752-6410 | lontai@ucdavis.edu

Advisor: General
Kali Trzesniewski
Human Development
ktrz@ucdavis.edu

Graduate Studies Contacts

Senior Academic Advisor
Brittney Dinelli
bjdinelli@ucdavis.edu