Program Overview
The Human Development program focuses on the study of how an individual changes across the lifespan and more specifically, examines how peers, families, schools, and cultures influence an individual's thinking and behavior. You will learn how people learn, think, and how our social interactions shape us. From conception to old age, you'll explore how these processes happen in diverse social and cultural contexts.
Key Features
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Gain a broad understanding of human development across biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural domains.
- Research Opportunities: Collaborate with renowned faculty and participate in cutting-edge research projects.
- Practical Experience: Engage in hands-on learning through internships and field experiences, applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. 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.
“I chose this major because I remembered the people who helped me along my journey, and all those people were people in education. I knew that by joining this program, I would receive the same amount of care and love with every step I took.”
Learning Goals
Learning Goals
- Understand human development from cognitive, social-emotional, and physiological perspectives, considering environmental and cultural influences.
- Develop critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills.
- Recognize how diversity impacts development across the lifespan.
- Enhance communication skills for scientific and theoretical discussions, with the ability to adjust for various audiences.
- Prepare for the workforce through internships and externships in different sectors.
Careers
Career Options
Human Development provides a strong foundation for advanced degrees or careers in a variety of areas:
- Education: Teaching, educational administration, curriculum development
- Healthcare: Health education, patient advocacy, hospital administration
- Social Services: Case management, counseling, social work
- Public Policy: Policy analysis, advocacy, program management
- Psychology: Clinical psychology, counseling, research
- Law: Family law, mediation, legal advocacy
- Human Resources: Employee relations, training, organizational development
- Government Agencies: Program coordination, community outreach, public health
- Marketing & Communications: Market research, public relations, community engagement
- Medicine & Neuroscience: Doctor, research scientist
How to Apply
How to Apply
Visit Undergraduate Admissions for details on applying to the University.
All current University of Maryland students interested in becoming a Human Development major are required to attend a Major Exploration Workshop (MEW) prior to meeting with an Education Advisor.
Requirements
Program Requirements
This curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to offer you a holistic understanding of human development. With an emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical application, our program equips you with the skills and insights needed to make a positive impact in diverse settings and communities.
The Human Development major requires 43 credits consisting of the following:
- 3 Gateway Courses (9 credits)
- 2 Statistics Requirements (6 credits)
- Proseminar and Internship/Field Experience (7 credits – see document for details)
- 3 HD Core Courses (9 credits)
- 4 HD Electives (12 credits)
Contact
Contact
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