Program Overview
The Human Development, Master of Arts program equips you with the foundational knowledge and advanced research skills necessary to be competitive for admission to top-tier doctoral programs in Human Development and Psychology, or obtain employment in a variety of academic and professional settings. Under the guidance of nationally and internationally renowned faculty, you'll engage in rigorous coursework and research experiences that prepare you for success.
Key Features
- Dedicated Mentorship: Receive personalized guidance from faculty advisors who will assist in program design, mentor laboratory experiences, and provide career advice. Engage in weekly departmental seminars, colloquia, lab meetings, and other academic gatherings to interact and learn from fellow graduate students, faculty, and visiting professors.
- Diverse Perspectives: Embrace diversity and inclusivity, as we welcome applicants from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, identities, and points of view, believing that diverse perspectives enrich our academic community and foster innovative research.
- Specialized Training: Choose from two specialized areas: Developmental Science or Educational Psychology. Tailor your program of study to focus on social, cognitive, emotional, and biological aspects of human development, or delve into processes involved in learning across the lifespan.
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Best Educational Psychology program by U.S. News & World Report
Learning Goals
Learning Goals
- Acquire advanced research skills in developmental science or educational psychology, preparing you for research careers in academia, applied settings, or doctoral studies.
- Develop expertise in specific areas such as cognitive development, language acquisition, social relationships, motivation, and neuroscience, through coursework, seminars, and research apprenticeships.
- Cultivate critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate research literature, design empirical studies, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in human development and educational psychology.
- Engage in professional development activities, including seminars, colloquia and networking opportunities, to enhance your research skills, prepare for academic or applied careers, and build a strong professional network.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Information on admissions and application to this program can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website and the program handbook.
Admission Requirements Guide to Applying
In addition to the Graduate School requirements, this program has the following mandatory and optional requirements.
- 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 MA 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.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)**
- CV/Resume
- Description of Research/Work Experience
- 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 MA 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.
- 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.
*All applicants should contact a potential faculty member(s) in the department regarding their availability, fit, and interest in serving as a mentor prior to submitting their application. Please indicate a faculty member of interest and if contact was made then applicants can state that in their Statement of Purpose.
**Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not considered as a criterion for admission into the program. GRE scores that are submitted are made available to potential faculty advisors.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not considered as a criterion for admission into the program. GRE scores that are submitted are made available to potential faculty advisors.
- All applicants are recommended to seek advice from a faculty mentor or academic advisor for how to construct a strong admissions application.
- All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential faculty member(s) in the department regarding their availability, fit, and interest in serving as a mentor in the graduate training program. Applicants may state that this contact was made in their application.
“If you plan on making an impact on someone’s life, then the College of Education is meant for you.”
Requirements
Program Requirements
This program is offered with and without a thesis requirement.
The non-thesis option is for those interested in an applied research or practice oriented setting. As a part of the degree, you will have a unique opportunity to complete an internship to gain hands-on experience in a community setting.
The thesis option is focused on training you to have a strong background in research in development, education and learning. The Master’s thesis will provide you with an in-depth opportunity to engage in research training with faculty mentors, along with coursework in core courses and advanced seminars.
Full program requirements are found in the handbook.
Contact
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Jannitta Graham (jgraham7@umd.edu) or HDQM@umd.edu
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