Adult Development and Aging (ADA)

Our program prepares professionals for participation in academic, research, governmental, and private organizations. Coursework includes developmental theories, developmental research methods, and development across the adult years. Focused methodology includes individual and family levels of analysis, cognitive neuroscience, health, and advanced statistical analysis. Research questions examined by the ADA faculty are grounded in compelling theory and employ rigorous analytic techniques. This research is published in top-tier and well-established scholarly journals, including the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, The Gerontologist, Journal of Applied Gerontology, Dementia, Journal of Women and Aging, Aging International, Journal of Marriage and Family, Family Relations, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and Personality and Individual Differences.

Student scholarship occurs not only in the classroom but also through mentorship and research. Students may participate in wide-ranging faculty research projects using diverse methodologies and dealing with issues such as physical, mental, social, and financial health, familial and nonfamilial relationships, and community-based relationships. There are numerous opportunities for professional development, and we encourage students to become actively involved by presenting at national and international professional societies in human development, family science, and gerontology. Two research centers, the Engagement Center for Creative Aging and the Center for Gerontology, offer many opportunities for research and application of research-based practices. 

HDFS faculty across the focus areas of Adult Development and Aging, Child and Adolescent Development, Family Science, and Marriage and Family Therapy often collaborate on research and service projects. Graduate students often participate in research projects and subsequent publications through collaborations with HDFS faculty and faculty in other departments, such as Psychology. 

Many of our students work with one of the three centers that serve as living laboratories and community outreach spaces, including The Engagement Center for Creative Aging, Child Development Center for Learning and Research, and the Family Therapy Center.