- Research Spotlight: Dr. Geetha Ramani 08/28/08
- Dr. Patricia Alexander named Jean Mullan Professor of Literacy. 7/10/08
- APA Science Summer Fellows Come to EDHD 06/26/08
- EDHD is pleased to announce the hiring of three new tenure-track faculty: Dr. Donald J. Bolger, Dr. Nathan Hall, and Dr. Meredith Rowe. 06/10/08
- Dr. Min Wang and Dr. Natasha Cabrera were promoted to associate professor with tenure. 04/08/08
- Beginning in mid-March Dr. Brenda Jones Harden will be a Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington School of Social Work. 03/13/08
- More news...
Introduction
The Department of Human Development/Institute for Child Study offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Education, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy. The research oriented M.A. (with thesis) and the Ph.D. degree programs in human development are designed to develop competencies in the scientific knowledge of human development through theory and research. The practice oriented M.Ed., M.A. without thesis programs are designed to develop competencies in identifying implications of the scientific knowledge of human development for specific situations and contexts through training in design, management, delivery and evaluation of human services programs.
The purpose of the Department of Human Development/Institute for Child Study and of its graduate programs is to contribute to basic knowledge, to the synthesis of knowledge, and to the integration of knowledge in research, practice, and policy in the multi-disciplinary field of human development. The program includes a sub-specialization in educational psychology,a specialized focus on developmental science, and a concentration option in early childhood. Faculty in the Department have varied interests and areas of expertise in fields concerned with all aspects of human development.
Graduate programs in the Department of Human Development provide the scientific knowledge of human growth and development that prepares graduates for positions such as faculty in institutions of higher education (including universities, community colleges, and specialty schools (e.g., nursing), human service specialists in government and community agencies, educational psychologists serving in schools and educational settings, and research oriented professionals in private, policy, or advocacy organizations.
At the undergraduate level, the department offers an early childhood teacher education program that leads to teacher certification. The programs is based in current research and theory in early childhood development and best teaching practices, and provides students with extensive experience in school through our Professional Development School network. The department now offers an undergraduate minor in human development, which is appropriate for students majoring in a variety of different programs at the University of Maryland.
Research Facilities
The Department of Human Development has extensive laboratory facilities. The Center for Young Children is a contemporary laboratory preschool in which young children may be observed through one-way mirror facilities or studied individually or in small groups in classroom settings. In addition, under the mentorship of faculty members, students obtain hands on research experience in psychophysiological processes, family and child relationships, and social, emotional and cognitive development. Our laboratories are equipped with the latest technology, including observational facilities and audio-visual equipment.
The Center for the Study of Children, Relationships, and Culture provides graduate students with an opportunity to interact and collaborate with on- and off-campus Center Faculty. Student affiliates of the Center meet weekly. Once each month, Center faculty from the College Park campus, the National Institutes of Health, and other local universities (e.g., The University of Maryland at Baltimore County, George Mason University, Catholic University) get together for research presentations.
The College of Education has excellent computer facilities allowing students access to a wide variety of word processing, data base, and statistical programs. The College houses a well-equipped educational technology unit in which there are full-time staff available for consultation.
There are seven libraries at the University of Maryland College Park Campus which offer on-line computer and interlibrary loan services. In addition, the Washington-Baltimore area hosts several major national libraries, including the National Library of medicine at the National Institutes of Health, the National Library of Congress, and the National Library of Agriculture.
On Campus and Off Campus Resources
The University of Maryland and the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas are rich in resources for graduate study in human development. Research and practical internship experiences are available through cooperation with social agencies, governmental units, and schools in the area. In addition to the Departmental laboratories and University libraries, on campus resources include: Center on Aging; Computer Science Center (all registered students may open E-mail and Internet accounts here); Educational Technology Center (with a video studio, computer laboratory, facilities for review of videotapes and films, and use of audiovisual equipment); Health Center (students medical needs are met here); Counseling Center (student testing, counseling, and special service needs are met here); AT&T and IBM Teaching Theaters (this offers the latest technology in a classroom setting).
The University of Maryland, College Park campus is located approximately midway between Downtown Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD, making it an ideal location for access to major professional resources. Examples of the myriad off-campus resources near the University include: American Psychological Association; Children’s Defense Fund; National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Mental Health; National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development; National Library of Medicine; National Science Foundation; National Library of Congress; U. S. State Department of Education; U. S. Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National Institute on Aging; National Association for the Education of Young Children; Maryland State Department of Health; National Center for the Study of Dyslexia; Maryland State Department of Education; Maryland State Legislature; State Department of Education.
The Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area also hosts many prestigious universities that are easily accessible from the University of Maryland campus. Examples of these universities include: American University (Washington D. C.); Catholic University (Washington D. C.); George Washington University (Washington D. C.); Georgetown University (Washington D. C.); Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD); The Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD).
Nearby Washington D. C. is also a city rich in cultural resources easily accessible to University of Maryland via the Metro Subway transportation system with a recently opened station at the College Park campus. Examples of cultural resources include: The Smithsonian Museum; The Air and Space Museum; The National Gallery of Art; The Corcoran Gallery of Art; The Kennedy Center.
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