The Masters Program

The Master’s program provides a basic knowledge of human growth and development in the areas of biological, 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, including the Professional Master of Education in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools.

For more information consult the Masters Student Handbook.

For information regarding the Master of Education, including the Professional Master of Education please consult the Professional Masters of Education Packet [PDF].

The Doctoral Program

The Department of Human Development offers one doctoral degree: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The Ph.D. program is research oriented, with the primary objective of training graduate students for scholarly research activity directed mainly toward the generation of new knowledge.

A degree in Human Development provides students with a strong background in the theoretical and empirical traditions of developmental and educational psychology. Scholarship is focused on understanding fundamental cognitive, neurobiological, affective and social processes as they are expressed in educational, social, and diverse cultural settings. Doctoral training involves intensive research apprenticeships with faculty mentors, coursework in core courses and advanced seminars, and exposure to 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 research careers at universities or other places where research on developmental 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 students in a wide range of areas. Opportunities also exist for collaboration with 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 sub-specialization or concentration in a specific area of human development. Many faculty in the department are engaged in research that is relevant to more than one specialization or concentration. We strongly encourage students to contact faculty with whom they might like to work to discuss research interests and information concerning specializations prior to applying to the program

For more information consult the Doctoral Student Handbook

Specializations in Human Development

Many students choose a sub-specialization or concentration in a specific area of human development.

Doctoral Program with a Specialization in Educational Psychology

The Specialization in Educational Psychology provides students with core courses and research experiences specifically relevant to the discipline, and with close mentoring in developing their research capabilities and agenda. Bi-weekly seminars focus on discussion of ongoing student research, and professional development topics such as professional publication and presentation of research, job searches, and networking skills. Required courses in the specialization are different from those required by the core Human Development program. Students receive a Ph.D. degree in Human Development with a Specialization in Educational Psychology. Click here to identify faculty affiliated with the Educational Psychology specialization.

Doctoral Program with a Specialization in Developmental Science

The specialization in Developmental Sciences provides students with exposure to current issues and debates in the field of developmental sciences. In addition to the required 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, and career options. Students can work with any faculty member to join the Developmental Science specialization. Students receive a Ph.D. degree in Human Development.

The Department recently received a five-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) Graduate Training in Social Development award, which provides predoctoral support for students with faculty mentors in developmental science who conduct work in the area of social development.

Doctoral program with a Concentration in Early Childhood

Students also can opt to concentrate their studies in the area of Early Childhood, receiving comprehensive and in-depth training in the study of development and education of young children. A core set of courses provides the student with a grasp of the broader dimensions of the field of early childhood education and development. Electives give the individual student needed content in areas of special interest.

Students interested in a Ph.D. degree should contact the Graduate Secretary in the Department of Human Development for brochures.

Frequently Asked Questions