Human Development, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Helpful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean to major in Human Development?
The field of Human Development (HD) is concerned with mechanisms of growth and change across the life course. HD Majors will explore the biological, social, emotional, and cognitive processes of development from conception to old age in diverse social and cultural contexts. Students in the HD Major will participate in an integrated set of educational experiences to acquire a comprehensive body of interdisciplinary scholarly knowledge in human development, learning, and research methodology. Introductory and advanced coursework, as well as laboratory research apprenticeships or field experiences are essential components of the proposed curriculum.
What can I do with a HD degree?
Graduates of the UMCP HD undergraduate major are well prepared with the knowledge base and skills to pursue subsequent careers in a variety of occupations in medicine, law, psychology, rehabilitation, behavioral health, education, social services, public policy, communication and marketing. More specifically, students in the HD program will be well suited for careers in research and development enterprises in education, and the behavioral and social sciences; social service agencies in governmental, NGO’s, non-profit and for-profit domains; educational institutions; and offices of Head Start and childcare programs. Graduates of the program would also be well-prepared to apply to graduate programs in Human Development, Educational Psychology and Learning Sciences, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Medicine.
What about research opportunities?
HD students have the opportunity to work with renowned research faculty as part of their internship experience. Our faculty have a successful record of placing our undergraduate research assistants into highly competitive internships at institutions such as NIH, Children’s National Medical Center, Kennedy Krieger, and top R1 universities, which have served as gateways to doctoral programs at the leading institutions around the country. HD graduates with a background not only in human development and educational psychology but also in measurement, statistics and assessment, may contribute to the design of new methodologies that address educational, youth, and family policy in local, state, and national initiatives.