Developmental Science
The Developmental Science specialization is designed to train students in the areas of social, cognitive, emotional, and biological aspects of human development. This specialization involves intensive research apprenticeships with faculty mentors, coursework in core courses and advanced seminars, and exposure to leaders in Developmental Science through the colloquia and professional development weekly seminar organized by the Center for Children, Relationships, and Culture, which is housed in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology.
The goal of the program is to train students for research careers in academic or applied areas of child development; graduates have obtained positions as university professors and research scientists. The program encourages engagement in collaborative research with faculty and students in a wide range of developmental science areas. In addition to coursework, students enroll in a one-credit weekly colloquia series and professional development seminar which hosts invited speakers from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan universities, institutes, and research "think tanks," as well as provides for professional development sessions on various topics such as conference preparations, dissertation projects, grant writing, and career options.
Specific topics investigated include peer relationships, parent-child relationships, attachment, emotional development, developmental neuroscience, social-cognitive development, moral judgment, motivation, social goals, intergroup attitudes and relationships, prejudice, linguistic development, play, cognitive development, parent-child discourse, father involvement, early childhood policy, civic engagement, and cultural influences on development.
Educational Psychology
The Educational Psychology Specialization is a nationally-ranked and internationally-recognized program of study in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology.
The goal of the Educational Psychology specialization is to train students in the processes involved in learning across the life span and competent functioning in educational settings. Based on a mentorship model, students work closely with faculty on research and scholarship. Specific topics of research include cognitive development, as it relates to language, mathematics, and reading, social and academic aspects of motivation and self-regulation, and parent, teacher and peer relationships as they relate to school success. Students take courses and advanced seminars on cognition, motivation, learning, language, social influences on learning, and cognitive neuroscience. Advanced training in quantitative methods is also a specific focus of the specialization.
Educational psychology faculty and students meet bi-weekly as part of a research seminar series that focuses on the discussion of ongoing student and faculty research. The seminar also includes professional development topics such as how to publish and present research, grant writing, job search advice, and networking skills.
While completing their Ph.D., graduate students are also able to pursue concentrations in quantitative methodology, as well as in interdisciplinary areas such as neuroscience and cognitive science and language science.
Admissions Deadlines
December 8, 2021 (Fall only, domestic)
December 1, 2021 (Fall only, international)
| UMD Graduate School General Requirements: | “The goal of this essay is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student.” We recommend that this statement follow these guidelines, and include:
2) Transcript(s)* |
| Program-Specific Requirements: | 1) Letters of Recommendation (3): Recommendation letters may come from professors, school administrators, supervisors, and/or any other person who can effectively comment on your potential for success in a research-based PhD program in Human Development with a focus on Developmental Science and Educational Psychology. We recommend that letters of recommendation be from those that know you/your work well and comment on what you have done so far. 2) Open Response: In 200-300 words, describe your quantitative and/or analytical skills, knowledge and prior experience. These may include college and/or AP level mathematics and statistics courses, experience with mathematical and/or statistical software packages, quantitative experience in past research activities and/or work experience. The research-based PhD program in Human Development is mathematically and statistically rigorous to facilitate students’ learning and use of advanced quantitative methodologies. Therefore, evidence of applicants’ quantitative proficiency is required. 3) Writing Sample: Submit an article, report, or manuscript in which you were the primary author (e.g., peer-reviewed journal publication or conference presentation paper in which you were the primary author, or alternatively, a master’s or undergraduate thesis, or school report/literature review). We encourage you to submit something you have already written; though, you may write something new. |
| Program-Specific Optional: |
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* Please note: EDHD requires all applicants to submit official transcripts (hard copies) to: University of Maryland, College Park, Enrollment Services Operation/Graduate Admissions, Room 0130 Mitchell Building, College Park, MD 20742.
Students are required to submit all required documents before submitting their application: Purpose Statement, recommendation letters, transcripts, GRE scores (optional) and TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international graduate students. Due to COVID-19, the Educational Testing Service is temporarily offering the GRE General Test online. Should students wish for their GRE scores to be considered, please visit the GRE testing site directly.
The Graduate School Application portal, gradapply.umd.edu, can be used to apply to UMD and review the status of your application. Graduate faculty in the Academic Department you applied to will review your completed application for graduate admission.
Before applying to the program, it is recommended students reach out to the prospective faculty member with whom they would like to work. Faculty members are listed within the Associated Faculty tab.
Please note: EDHD requires all applicants to submit official transcripts (hard copies) to: University of Maryland, College Park, Enrollment Services Operation/Graduate Admissions, Room 0130 Mitchell Building, College Park, MD 20742.
Students are required to submit all required documents before submitting their application: CV and Purpose Statement, (3) recommendation letters, transcripts, GRE scores and TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international graduate students. Due to COVID-19, the Educational Testing Service is temporarily offering the GRE General Test online.
The Graduate School's guide to International Admissions provides an overview on the application, review, and enrollment process for international students.
The Graduate School's list of Frequently Asked Questions is a helpful resource as you navigate the admissions process.
For other questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application, please contact:
Judy Foster, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Office of Student Services, College of Education
(301) 405-2359
Questions regarding application reviews and decision recommendations should be directed to the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM). Please contact:
Jannitta Graham, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
(301) 405-8432
For undergraduate advising, Human Development minor inquiries should be sent to educminors@umd.edu, Human Development major inquiries should be sent to coehdmajor@umd.edu, and for any general inquiries please contact ed-advising@umd.edu. You can also contact the Office of Student Services by calling (301) 405-2364.
For graduate advising in HDQM, please contact the graduate coordinator, Jannitta Graham at jgraham7@umd.edu. It is recommended but not required that students contact the faculty member with whom they are interested in working with before applying to the program. Faculty are listed within the Associated Faculty tab.
Academic advisement for graduate students is provided by the graduate faculty in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM). For advising information, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Jannitta Graham at (301) 405-8432 or jgraham7@umd.edu.
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.
For general information about the Developmental Science area, contact Dr. Melanie Killen, mkillen@umd.edu.
Admissions Deadlines
December 8, 2021 (Fall only, domestic)
December 1, 2021 (Fall only, international)
Academic deadlines are provided by the Office of the Registrar for the academic year.
Students should check with their Department or Program for any deadlines it may have.
Please contact:
Jannitta Graham, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
(301) 405-8432
 | Patricia Alexander, Distinguished University Professor Specialization: Educational Psychology |
 | Donald Bolger, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Lucas Butler, Assistant Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Natasha Cabrera, Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Kevin Dunbar, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Nathan Fox, Distinguished University Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Melanie Killen, Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Elisa Klein, Associate Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Doug Lombardi, Associate Professor Specialization: Educational Psychology |
 | Kelly Mix, Professor and Chair Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Richard Prather, Assistant Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Geetha Ramani, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Kenneth Rubin, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Min Wang, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
POLICY
Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements. The Graduate Catalog is the official listing of Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland. The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules.
HANDBOOKS
The Graduate Student Life Handbook provides information on academics, campus resources, finances, health, job opportunities, and information on how to get involved as a graduate student.
FORMS
Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process.