Human Development and Quantitative Methodology

Who we are

Welcome to the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology!

We are one of the world’s leading centers for research on child development, educational psychology, and cutting-edge psychometric and statistical methods. Our mission is to advance knowledge and practice in these areas of study through innovative teaching and research. The department’s graduate programs prepare students for careers in academic and non-academic environments, including research and industry settings. We also offer unique undergraduate programs, including a dual-certification major in early childhood/early childhood special education and a major and a minor in human development. Our program offers exciting courses on topics such as how children learn, prosocial behavior and moral development, socio-cultural contexts of development, educational neuroscience, and sophisticated approaches to data analysis.

3942 Campus Drive
Benjamin Building (143), Suite 3304
College Park, MD 20742-1131
p: (301) 405-2827
f: (301) 405-2891

Human Development Program

The Human Development Program focuses on studies of developmental changes in social behaviors, social cognitions, and social relationships and how such changes are related to, caused by, or predictive of features of cognitive, emotional, motivational, neuropsychological, and psychopathological development. Specializations within the department include the following:

Educational Psychology: The faculty in the Educational Psychology Specialization focus on the processes involved in learning across the lifespan. Themes include cognitive development focusing on language, mathematics, and reading. There are significant strengths in language learning, bi-lingualism, and cognitive neuroscience of reading.

Developmental Science: The faculty in the Developmental Science Specialization focus on the processes involved in social and cognitive development across the lifespan. Themes include the importance of early experience on brain and behavior, the importance of peer relationships, moral reasoning, research on families and the influence of socio-economic status on childrens development.

Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation Program

Throughout its history as a recognized area within the College, as a department, and now as a program within the HDQM Department, Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation has engaged in the dual roles of professional training and service to the College.

In its first role, the program has provided training at the master's and doctoral levels for students planning to pursue careers in quantitative areas related to applied statistics, measurement, and evaluation.

In its second role, the program has provided service courses in applied statistics, measurement, and evaluation for graduate students majoring in other departments and programs in the College. In addition, faculty members have always been in high demand as members of doctoral research committees and as consultants to various externally funded projects within the College.