Human Sciences (Ph.D.)

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Human Sciences

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)

All prospective doctoral students in the department will apply for a PhD in Human Sciences.  Areas of specialization distinguish each student’s academic focus and should be clearly indicated on the application.  A specialization should be selected from the following areas:

  • Apparel Design 
  • Material Culture and Textile Studies 
  • Merchandising
  • Textile Science 

Specialization Details

Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Apparel Design

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Human Sciences with a specialization in Apparel Design is designed to educate apparel design scholars who can comprehensively apply theory, knowledge and academic research to their specialties. An in-depth look is taken at fundamental apparel design disciplines as well as relevant interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies, in which students should play a leading role in the future. Related fields will vary depending on the specific focus of the student but may include and are not be limited to anthropology, art, business, education, history, psychology, technology, theater, and women and gender studies.

The required number of hours for any TMFD specialization is 90 hours of 800 or 900 level courses, including 20 dissertation hours.  Distribution of courses include:

9hours of required courses
16hours of recommended courses (minimum)
16hours of supporting courses in a related discipline (minimum)
11hours of research methods (including 6 hours minimum of statistics; 9 hours minimum for Textile Science)
3hours of PhD seminar (TMFD 995)
20hours of PhD Doctoral Dissertation (TMFD 999; minimum)
90hours total (minimum)
Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Material Culture and Textile Studies

The goal of the Ph.D. in Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design with a specialization in Material Culture and Textile Studies is to educate professionals and academics who can comprehensively apply theory, research, and knowledge in their respective and chosen career fields. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the various applications and methodologies that incorporate and/or focus on object based research as a primary means of studying the cultural, social, economic, political, and personal experiences of people, both past and present. Related fields such as (but not limited to) history, art history, anthropology, sociology and women’s and gender studies are included in the specialization to enhance students’ abilities to understand and apply concepts and theories from outside their particular area of expertise and contribute to the development of original research and advancement of knowledge in the interdisciplinary field of material culture.

A basic outline of the degree is provided below, with more details available in the PhD Handbook:                                                                       

9hours of required courses
16hours of recommended courses (minimum)
16hours of supporting courses in a related discipline (minimum)
11hours of research methods (including 6 hours minimum of statistics; 9 hours minimum for Textile Science)
3hours of PhD seminar (TMFD 995)
20hours of PhD Doctoral Dissertation (TMFD 999; minimum)
90hours total (minimum)
Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Merchandising

The objective of a Doctor of Philosophy of Human Sciences with a specialization in Merchandising is to prepare future practitioners who can critically apply knowledge of merchandising practices to the soft-goods industry.  Learning innovative merchandising techniques, including the extensive use of technology, will provide students with applicable knowledge of the field.  Students will also learn and apply theory and research methods to address industry challenges. In addition, interdisciplinary knowledge, from fields such as marketing and educational psychology, will enhance students’ perspectives toward research.

9hours of required courses
16hours of recommended courses (minimum)
16hours of supporting courses in a related discipline (minimum)
11hours of research methods (including 6 hours minimum of statistics; 9 hours minimum for Textile Science)
3hours of PhD seminar (TMFD 995)
20hours of PhD Doctoral Dissertation (TMFD 999; minimum)
90hours total (minimum)
Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Textile Science

The goal of the Ph.D. in Science of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design with a specialization in Textile Science is to educate textile scientists who can comprehensively apply theory, academic research and application of knowledge to their specialties.  An in-depth look is taken at fundamental textile material science disciplines, as well as relevant interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies, in which students play a leading role in the future.  Related fields like chemistry and statistics are focused to enhance students’ abilities to solve complex problems within or outside their area of expertise, and contribute to the development of textiles with original research.

9hours of required courses
16hours of recommended courses (minimum)
16hours of supporting courses in a related discipline (minimum)
11hours of research methods (including 6 hours minimum of statistics; 9 hours minimum for Textile Science)
3hours of PhD seminar (TMFD 995)
20hours of PhD Doctoral Dissertation (TMFD 999; minimum)
90hours total (minimum)

Careers

Research
Teaching
Policy development
Analysis and Outreach

Application to this program

Requirements for Applicants 

  • Completion of online application through Admit; Applicants will indicate the intended program (PhD applicants will select Human Sciences, MA & MS applicants will select Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design). All applicants will select a specialization 
  • Grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum TOEFL scores (International Students only) 550 on paper test, 213 on computer based test or 79 on the internet based test (Institution code – 6877)
  • Digital Portfolio for textile design and apparel design areas of interest
  • Required Writing Sample 

      Any of the following would be an appropriate writing sample: 

    • manuscript or published article resulting from earlier research such as master's thesis
    • paper given at a professional meeting
    • substantial paper such as a review of literature
    • grant proposal
    • critique of a research article
    • professional materials developed for use in one's workplace
    • course paper
  • MA & MS applicants will have successfully completed an undergraduate degree and PhD applicants will have successfully completed an MA or MS degree if approved for a graduate program in Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design
     

START THE APPLICATION PROCESS AT GRADUATE STUDIES