Dec 07, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 University Catalog

Consumer Science/Gerontology, PHD

Location(s): West Lafayette


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Degrees

About the Program


Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Science’s Consumer Science PhD program is designed to be one of the strongest research-based programs in the world. The program - which includes a strong element of statistics and research design - prepares students for careers at major research universities or research-based agencies. Upon graduation,students are expected to have a curriculum vitae that includes instructional knowledge, publishing experience in research journals, and a record of presentations to industry and research societies.

Potential Careers:

  • Academics/Professors
  • Research Analysts
  • Policy Analysts
  • Financial Analysts
  • Consultants

Program Highlights:

  • The school’s research centers allow cooperative research across individual projects, leading to strong contributions in the industry.
  • Students will have numerous opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty developing, conducting and analyzing research that deals with real problems in consumer science.

Dual-Title PhD in Gerontology: Students may enroll in the groundbreaking dual-title PhD in gerontology. This degree program links the disciplinary depth of a traditional PhD with the interdisciplinary breadth of gerontology. Students are admitted through and meet all course requirements in their home department, while taking courses in aging in at least three disciplines and focusing their dissertation on an aging related issue or problem.

Program Website: Consumer Science

Program Website: Gerontology

Program Requirements


90 Credits Required

Required Courses (18 credits)


Professional Course (3 credits)


Seminar Courses (6 credits)


PhD students will take a minimum of 2 seminar courses. These courses will be developed to meet the student interests, research trends, and industry needs. Proposed new courses include:

  • Digital Transformations Seminar
  • Community and Individual Well-being Seminar
  • Service and Relationship Management Research Seminar
  • Experience Design Research Seminar
  • Corporate and Business Strategy

Methodology & Statistics Electives (12 credits)


All students will take a minimum of 6 credits of methodology-related courses and 6 credits of statistic-related courses. Courses may be taken from 500/600-level courses.

Outside Specialty Electives (6 credits)


All students will complete a minimum of 6 credits outside specialty courses. These should be chosen in consultation with the student’s major advisor.

Independent Study Course (6 credits)


Take twice.

Dissertation Research (48 credits)


Geronotology Requirements for Dual Title


Requirements for Interdisciplinary Program (18 credits)


Core Courses (7 credits)


GPA Requirements


Any student on Academic Notice whose following semester GPA and cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be separated from the university. If a graduate student is on academic notice and EITHER the semester GPA or the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above, the student will remain on notice. Academic standing is not addressed during Summer Session.

Graduate Programs Disclaimer


  • The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
  • Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary. 
  • Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
  • Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
  • Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Degrees