Fielding Graduate University

Become an Agent of Change

The PhD in Human Development (HD) is focused on individual and transformational growth in personal, organizational, and cultural settings. The degree empowers doctoral scholar-practitioners with foundational and current research across the lifespan from multidisciplinary perspectives. Students study humans as individuals and as members of systems, learning to optimize interpersonal relationships and empower themselves and others to become change agents for social and ecological justice.

Engage in a Flexible Learning Community

In a distance learning environment, students have the freedom to live and work in any community. Based on contemporary adult learning practices, our innovative program fosters creativity and offers customized degree plans, experiential learning, and optional concentrations.

Customize your Program

We support a wide range of electives, including adult learning and development, wisdom traditions, transformative learning, Somatics, spiritual and contemplative psychology, positive aging, health care leadership, gender equity, diversity and LGBTQ studies.

Advance your Career and Personal Goals

Our graduates are leaders in their professional and personal lives as consultants, professors, community activists, authors, nonprofit executives, healthcare administrators, and coaches.