DATE: 7/25/06

CONTACT: Kerry Coffey, (864) 656-0312

WRITER: Erin Montgomery, montgo3@clemson.edu

EDITOR: Kerry Coffey, kcoffey@clemson.edu

One of a kind doctoral program offered at Clemson University

CLEMSON – In the fall of 2006, Clemson University will begin a doctoral program in International Family and Community Studies based within the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life (IFNL).

The goal of Clemson University’s program is to strengthen communities and families and to encourage people within those communities to build relationships with one another and to assist one another when necessary.

This is a very unique program as there are currently none like it in the United States.

The unique element of the program is that students spend one academic year outside of North America studying at a center affiliated with the institute where they participate in supervised research and/or public service.

Students are also required to gain proficiency in the historical and cultural knowledge of three regions in the world as well as communication in another language. The purpose of this requirement is to gain a deeper and more thorough understanding of human development and family life in addition to a better understanding of other cultures.

Graduates are prepared to be scholars in interdisciplinary studies or academic departments on child and family studies, social policy studies, international studies, or community development as well as researchers, planners or administrators in domestic or international governmental or non-governmental agencies concerned with children, family and/or communities.

“The goal of the program is to educate gifted students from all over the world as insightful scholars, inspiring teachers, creative leaders and, perhaps most importantly, dedicated humanitarians,” said Gary Melton, professor and director of IFNL.

In 2003 this program got its start through affiliations developed with overseas partners and universities. Kathleen Wilson, chair of the curriculum committee for the program, said “The students are mid-career professionals interested in policy development and research in family and community development. We look forward to working with them to help them gain a better understanding of family and community issues domestically and abroad.”

Candidates hold bachelor’s degrees from a variety of institutions including the Ibero American University of Santo Domingo, The First Tashmi University, Osmania University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Southern California.

About half the students are international and half are from the United States.

Members of the institute will serve as teaching faculty for the program. They come from various backgrounds including psychology, law, community development, pediatric nursing, foreign affairs and social work.

The program is grounded mostly in the legal field.

Students have the opportunity to participate in IFNL’s projects on community development, policy consultation and empirical research in South Carolina, as well as in other states and countries.

International study is stressed because of the extensive exposure to diverse cultures.

Those who have questions should visit IFNL’s website, www.clemson.edu/ifnl or contact Bonnie Holaday, the Graduate Program Director, at holaday@clemson.edu (e-mail) or 1-864-656-6288 (phone).

The purpose of IFNL is to generate, share and apply the knowledge needed to strengthen ties between families and communities. For more information on this program and IFNL, visit www.clemson.edu/ifnl .

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