Advice to students entering with a B. A. or B. S.
Students with a B.A. or B. S. who are admitted into our Ph.D. program typically have an excellent undergraduate record (GPA 3.5 or above) with research experience in developmental or educational psychology (or a closely related field), and desire training for a research-oriented career.
If students wish to do a research oriented degree in the field of Human Development but do not have extensive research experience, they should apply for a Masters degree in Human Development with thesis (see the Admissions criteria detailed in Section B below). With their advisor's assistance, students can then plan a program which allows them to earn an M. A. on the way to a Ph.D. Masters students take many of the same courses as students in the doctoral program. Research experience is gained by conducting an empirical study to meet the thesis requirements.
If interested in a general Masters degree, for example one which will prepare you to work in a school- or agency- based education intervention program, students should apply either for the M. A. in Human Development without Thesis or for the M. Ed. in Human Development. The requirements for these two degrees differ only in the option of engaging in an experiential practicum or writing a seminar paper.
Advice to applicants with a Masters degree
If an applicant has an M. A. or M. S. in one of the social sciences or education, or with an M. S.W., or M.S.N., it is possible to have up to 9 credits of social science and education courses from the masters degree count toward the 72 hours required for the doctorate if they are recent and if they are approved by the faculty as being related to the student's overall course program. The applicability of these courses will be evaluated after the student is enrolled in the program.
In most cases, students who hold a Masters degree in a discipline unrelated to human development should consider the advice offered above to those entering with a B. A. or B. S. degree.