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The one-year 30-credit Human Development Research and Policy (HDRP) MA equips you to explore the psychological, cultural, and socioecological factors that inform human development across the lifespan. You’ll learn to evaluate trends in the field and produce original research to shape the design, implementation, and evaluation of human development policies and programs.

As a graduate of the HDRP program, you will be prepared to pursue careers such as a program/research associate in a policy think tank or university, a research scientist/program officer in a non-profit/foundation, a consultant in a domestic or international organization, or an evaluation officer in the government, non-profit, or private sector. 

Core Course Sequence

The MA in Human Development Research and Policy (HDRP) core curriculum features foundations in human development, which includes theories, methods, and evidence from developmental psychology, as well as research methodology and statistics, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Through a year-long seminar, you will also be introduced to professional development opportunities in human development research and policy. 

Sample Electives

In consultation with program faculty, you will select two elective courses that will deepen your understanding of the two core curriculum areas. Some sample electives include The Development of Immigrant Youth, The Development of African American Children, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Data Science for Social Impact, and The Listening Guide Method of Psychological Inquiry. 

Culminating Experience

HDRP offers you the opportunity to intern for a semester at a research lab; government, non-profit, or international organization; or policy advocacy/community-organizing setting while receiving scaffolding from faculty. You will be expected to complete 135 hours at your internship site during the Spring semester. This experience is meant to offer you an opportunity to apply what you learn during the program to a real-world setting while receiving support from the program’s faculty, preparing you for a career of effectively applying research to policy.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 30 credits, comprised of the following:

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Foundation Courses
APSY-GE 2271Survey of Developmental Psychology3
APSY-GE 2826Intervention and Social Change3
Research Methodology and Statistics
APSTA-GE 2001Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I3
or APSTA-GE 2003 Interm Quantitative Methods: General Linear Model
APSTA-GE 2002Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II2
or APSTA-GE 2004 Introductory Statistical Inference in R
APSY-GE 2524Psychological Measurement3
or RESCH-GE 2140 Approaches/Qualitative Inquiry
Professional Development
APSY-GE 2077Grant Writing and Grant Management for the Social Sciences3
APSY-GE 2354Internship in Human Development1
APSY-GE 2837Professional Development Seminar I3
APSY-GE 2838Professional Development Seminar II3
Electives
Students complete 6 electives by advisement.6
Total Credits30

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
APSY-GE 2271 Survey of Developmental Psychology 3
APSY-GE 2826 Intervention and Social Change 3
APSTA-GE 2001
or APSTA-GE 2003
Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I
or Interm Quantitative Methods: General Linear Model
3
APSY-GE 2837 Professional Development Seminar I 3
Guided Elective 3
 Credits15
2nd Semester/Term
APSTA-GE 2002
or APSTA-GE 2004
Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II
or Introductory Statistical Inference in R
2
RESCH-GE 2140
or APSY-GE 2524
Approaches/Qualitative Inquiry
or Psychological Measurement
3
APSY-GE 2837 Professional Development Seminar I 3
APSY-GE 2354 Internship in Human Development 1
APSY-GE 2077 Grant Writing and Grant Management for the Social Sciences 3
Guided Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits30