Consumer Science, PHD

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.

Program Website

Program Requirements

90 Credits Required

Concentrations

Departmental concentrations:

• Consumer Behavior
• Consumer Health (pending suspension)
• Family and Consumer Economy
• Retail Management (pending suspension)
• Textile Science (pending suspension)

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Conceptualize, design, execute, and disseminate original research that advance the body of knowledge connected to each doctoral major via the publication in top tier journals in the respective disciplines.
• Design and implement curriculum using evidence-based pedagogy and advanced disciplinary content to enhance student learning outcomes and manage diverse classroom dynamics effectively.
• Communicate research findings effectively to community and industry audiences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and driving innovation in the field.

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.