Program Overview
This Human Development, Master of Education 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
- Personal Mentorship: Receive personalized guidance from assigned faculty advisors who assist in program design, mentor your laboratory experiences, and provide career advice. Engage in weekly departmental seminars, colloquia, and lab meetings to interact with fellow graduate students, faculty, and visiting professors.
- Diverse Perspectives: Embrace diversity and inclusivity, enriching your academic experience and fostering innovative research by learning alongside peers from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Specialized Training: Tailor your studies with coursework focusing on social, cognitive, emotional, and biological aspects of human development or the processes involved in learning across the lifespan.
- Robust Research Opportunities: Participate in advanced research training, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in human development and educational psychology.
#4
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 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.
You are required to submit all required documents before submitting your application.
- 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 MEd 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
- 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 MEd 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.
*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 focused on helping you develop a strong foundation in theoretical and empirical work related to development, education and learning. You can choose to take a variety of coursework in the areas of social, cognitive, emotional, and biological aspects of human development, as well as courses that focus on the processes involved in learning across the life span and competent functioning in educational settings.
View the handbook for full program details.
Contact
Contact
For more information, including 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
jfoster@umd.edu
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
jgraham7@umd.edu
301-405-8432