The Masters Program

The EDHD Master's program provides basic knowledge of neurobiological, cognitive, social, and personality development. The Department of Human Development offers students a choice of three Master's degree programs: (a) the Master of Arts with Thesis, (b) the Master of Arts without Thesis, and (c) the Master of Education (taken by some on- campus students and also offered as a Professional Master of Education in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools). These programs are largely course-based and prepare students for jobs requiring a master degree or for entry to a doctoral program, either at Maryland or another institution. Most students complete a master degree in the equivalent of two years of full time study. Financial aid is not usually available for masters students (though some students obtain part-time jobs on campus).

For more information consult the Masters Student Handbook.

For information regarding the Master of Education in Partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), please consult the Master of Education in Partnership with MCPS Handbook.

The Doctoral Program

The EDHD Department offers a PH.D. in Human Development.( Doctor of Philosophy). The Ph.D. program is research oriented, with the primary objective of preparing graduate students for scholarly research activity directed toward the generation of knowledge.

The program leading to the doctoral degree in Human Development provides students with a strong background in the theoretical literature and empirical research on developmental science and on educational psychology. Students learn about fundamental cognitive, neurobiological, affective, linguistic and social processes as they are expressed in educational and social settings and among diverse groups. Doctoral training involves intensive research apprenticeships with faculty mentors, coursework in core courses and advanced seminars, as well as opportunities to learn from leaders in the fields of educational and developmental psychology through colloquia and professional development seminars. The goal of our program is to train students for careers at universities or other places where research on developmental science and educational psychology is conducted. Graduates of our program have obtained positions as university professors, research scientists, program analysts, and other research-oriented occupations. The program encourages engagement in collaborative research with faculty and other students in a wide range of areas. Opportunities also exist for collaboration with researchers at neighboring institutions such as Georgetown University, National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, and Children's National Medical Center.

Some students in the Department are enrolled in our Ph.D. program in Human Development without a specialization whereas others choose a specialization or concentration in either Developmental Science or Educational Psychology. Many faculty in the department are engaged in research that is relevant to both specializations and participate in the activities of both specializations. Prior to filing an application, students should contact two or three faculty members with whom they might like to work to discuss research interests, to obtain individualized information concerning specializations in relation to their background, and to ascertain whether the faculty member is accepting new students in a given academic year. For more information consult the Doctoral Student Handbook.

For more information consult the Doctoral Student Handbook

Doctoral Program without a Specialization

The doctoral program provides students with core courses and research experience relevant to the social, cognitive, affective, linguistic and neurophysiological aspects of human development from birth through adulthood. Core courses include: History and Systems of Human Development, Language Development, Cognitive Development and Learning, Social Development and Socialization Processes, Psychophysiological Processes, and Research Methods; students also are required to master intermediate-level statistics. Students also receive close mentoring in developing their research capabilities and agendas through Research Apprenticeship experiences. As part of this apprenticeship experience, all Ph.D. students are required to complete a first-year research project. Students in the general program are welcome to participate in the colloquium series offered by the Developmental Science and Educational Psychology specializations. The required comprehensive examination consists of a portfolio of the student's research reviewed by three faculty members.

All of the faculty in the department are affiliated with the Doctoral Program.

Specializations in Human Development

Many students choose a specialization or concentration in either educational psychology or developmental science. The requirements for both specializations are similar to those for the general program. In addition, the specializations require attendance at weekly or biweekly colloquium series.

Doctoral Program with a Specialization in Educational Psychology

The Specialization in Educational Psychology provides students with core courses and research experiences relevant to the cognitive, motivational and social aspects of learning and development that takes place in relation to schooling with close mentoring in developing their research capabilities and agendas. Required courses in the specialization include the core Human Development courses (a seminar in educational psychology is substituted for the History and Systems course), a course in achievement motivation, and additional statistics courses. Bi- weekly seminars focus on discussion of ongoing student research, and professional development topics such as professional publication and presentation of research, grant writing, job searches, and networking skills. Students receive a Ph.D. degree in Human Development with a Specialization in Educational Psychology.

Click here to learn more about the Educational Psychology Specialization.

Doctoral Program with a Specialization in Developmental Science

The specialization in Developmental Sciences provides students with core courses and research experience relevant to the social, cognitive, affective, linguistic and neurophysiological aspects of human development from birth through adulthood. Students receive close mentoring in developing their research capabilities and agendas. In addition to the required core Human Development coursework, students enroll in a one-credit weekly colloquia series and professional development seminar which hosts invited speakers from the Washington, D.C. area universities, institutes, and research “think tanks,” as well as provides for professional development sessions on topics such as conference preparations, dissertation projects, grant writing, and career options. Students receive a Ph.D. degree in Human Development.

Click here to learn more about the Developmental Science specialization.

Financial Aid for Doctoral Students

The EDHD Department has been able to offer as many as five fellowships to entering doctoral students each year (based on their GPAs, GRE scores, and research experience). These fellowships can be extended to 4 years of support (the last two years with teaching or assistantship responsibilities).

The Department previously held a five-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Training in Social Development award, which provided predoctoral support for students with faculty mentors in developmental science conducting work in the area of social development. An application for renewal of this training grant has been filed.

Students also are supported as graduate research assistants on faculty research grants.

Click here to learn more about financial aid.

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