Students

Family Economics and Consumer Behavior PhD

The Department of Consumer Science develops and disseminates information on the ways in which the interactions among consumers, business, and government can enhance the interests and well-being of consumers, families, and communities. The Department focuses on various dimensions of well-being including economic/financial security, consumer empowerment, health, food security, housing security,sustainability, and the public policies that affect those dimensions of well-being.

• Admission to the PhD program is based on academic merit and fit with the research strengths of the Department of Consumer Science Faculty
• Applicants with a background in consumer science or related social science disciplines (economics, political science, sociology, research methods and statistics) have the greatest chance of successfully being admitted to and completing the program
• Students are only admitted in the Fall term
• Students are eligible to be directly admitted to the PhD program following successful completion of a bachelor’s degree
• The PhD degree is designed for completion in 4 semesters of full-time study and 1-2 years of dissertation work
• Faculty are trained in a variety of disciplines including economics, marketing, finance, sociology, retail, public affairs, and social welfare
• PhD students have a variety of research interests due to the interdisciplinary nature of the School of Human Ecology
• Current PhD student research topics include: behavioral economics, impulsive consumption, social networking, financial education, cross-cultural perspectives, and impacts of cooperatives
• For more information visit http://sohe.wisc.edu.