Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM)

1) Statement of Purpose*:

“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:

• Your preparation and motivation for graduate study, including the academic, research, work, and/or personal experiences that prepare you for this graduate program.
• Your research interests and how these interests fit with this graduate program, including identification of one or more potential faculty mentors because of the program’s strong research mentorship model.
• How you will contribute to the social, intellectual, or cultural diversity within a scholarly community and demonstrate your persistence to undergo a rigorous academic program.  

2) Transcript(s)*
3) TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

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) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)**

3) CV/Resume

4) Description of Research/Work Experience (M.A. only)

5) 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.

5) Writing Sample (required for M.A. and Ph.D., not required for M.Ed.): 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.

• 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.