Completing a Human Development Master of Arts degree will help you acquire the foundational knowledge and research skills you will need to be competitive for admission to top-tier doctoral programs in Human Development and Psychology or obtain employment in a variety of academic and professional settings. Your classes will be taught by nationally and internationally renowned faculty-researchers in educational psychology, developmental science, and quantitative methodology. Specially assigned faculty advisors will assist you in your program design, mentor your laboratory experiences, and provide career guidance. You will have weekly opportunities to attend departmental seminars, colloquia, laboratory team meetings, and other academic gatherings in which fellow graduate students, departmental faculty, and visiting professors interact and learn from one another.
Admissions Deadlines
December 1, 2022 (Fall 2023 International)
December 1, 2022 (Fall 2023 Domestic)
| UMD Graduate School General Requirements: | 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:
2) Transcript(s) |
| Program-Specific Requirements: | 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 MA 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 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 MA 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. 6) Writing Sample: 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. |
| Program-Specific Optional: |
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*All applicants should contact a potential faculty member(s) in the department regarding their availability, fit, and interest in serving as a mentor prior to submitting their application. Please indicate a faculty member of interest and if contact was made then applicants can state that this in their Statement of Purpose.
**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.
Students are required to submit all required documents before submitting their application: Purpose Statement, recommendation letters, transcripts, GRE scores (optional) and TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international graduate students. The Educational Testing Service is offering the GRE General Test online. Please visit here for more information: https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register/at_home.
The Graduate School Application portal, gradapply.umd.edu, can be used to apply to UMD and review the status of your application. Graduate faculty in the Academic Department you applied to will review your completed application for graduate admission.
Before applying to the program, it is recommended students reach out to the prospective faculty member with whom they would like to work. Faculty members are listed within the Associated Faculty tab.
Students are required to submit all required documents before submitting their application: CV and Purpose Statement, (3) recommendation letters, transcripts, GRE scores and TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international graduate students. Due to COVID-19, the Educational Testing Service is temporarily offering the GRE General Test online.
The Graduate School's guide to International Admissions provides an overview on the application, review, and enrollment process for international students.
The Graduate School's list of Frequently Asked Questions is a helpful resource as you navigate the admissions process.
For other questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application, please contact:
Judy Foster, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Office of Student Services, College of Education
(301) 405-2359
Questions regarding application reviews and decision recommendations should be directed to the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM). Please contact:
Jannitta Graham, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
(301) 405-8432
For undergraduate advising, Human Development minor inquiries should be sent to educminors@umd.edu, Human Development major inquiries should be sent to coehdmajor@umd.edu, and for any general inquiries please contact ed-advising@umd.edu. You can also contact the Office of Student Services by calling (301) 405-2364.
For graduate advising in HDQM, please contact the graduate coordinator, Jannitta Graham at jgraham7@umd.edu. It is recommended but not required that students contact the faculty member with whom they are interested in working with before applying to the program. Faculty are listed within the Associated Faculty tab.
Academic advisement for graduate students is provided by the graduate faculty in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM). For advising information, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Jannitta Graham at (301) 405-8432 or jgraham7@umd.edu.
Completing a Human Development Master of Arts with Thesis, Master of Arts without Thesis, or Master of Education degree will help you acquire the foundational knowledge and research skills you will need to be competitive for admission to top-tier doctoral programs in Human Development and Psychology or obtain employment in a variety of academic and professional settings. Your classes will be taught by nationally and internationally renowned faculty-researchers in educational psychology, developmental science, and quantitative methodology. Specially assigned faculty advisors will assist you in your program design, mentor your laboratory experiences, and provide career guidance. You will have weekly opportunities to attend departmental seminars, colloquia, laboratory team meetings, and other academic gatherings in which fellow graduate students, departmental faculty, and visiting professors interact and learn from one another.
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact our Graduate Coordinator, Ms. Jannitta Graham, at jgraham7@umd.edu or by phone at (301) 405-8432.
Thank you for your interest in our Human Development Master’s Programs! We look forward to working with you in the near future.
Jannitta Graham, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
(301) 405-8432
Admissions Deadlines
December 1, 2022 (Fall 2023 International)
December 1, 2022 (Fall 2023 Domestic)
Academic deadlines are provided by the Office of the Registrar for the academic year.
Students should check with their Department or Program for any deadlines it may have.
Please contact:
Jannitta Graham, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
(301) 405-8432
 | Patricia Alexander, Distinguished University Professor Specialization: Educational Psychology |
 | Donald Bolger, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Lucas Butler, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Natasha Cabrera, Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Kevin Dunbar, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Nathan Fox, Distinguished University Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Melanie Killen, Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Elisa Klein, Associate Professor Specialization: Developmental Science |
 | Doug Lombardi, Associate Professor Specialization: Educational Psychology |
 | Kelly Mix, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Richard Prather, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Geetha Ramani, Associate Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Rachel Romeo, Assistant Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Kenneth Rubin, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
 | Min Wang, Professor Specializations: Developmental Science, Educational Psychology |
POLICY
Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements. The Graduate Catalog is the official listing of Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland. The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules.
HANDBOOKS
The Graduate Student Life Handbook provides information on academics, campus resources, finances, health, job opportunities, and information on how to get involved as a graduate student.
FORMS
Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process.