Human Development

The Human Development Graduate Group includes both the doctoral program in Human Development (described below) and the Master's program in Child Development. The primary goal of the doctoral program in Human Development is to educate students in the theories, methods, and research that provide the basis for expanding knowledge and understanding of human development from an interdisciplinary perspective. Consistent with this goal, the program has a tripartite emphasis: - It incorporates study in three domains of human development: biological, social-emotional, and cognitive; - It organizes the study of human development across the lifespan from conception to death; and - It emphasizes the context within which human development takes place, including cultural institutions such as families, schools, and hospitals; the environmental conditions related to nutrition, health, and disease; and the social and legal policies that affect development. The degree prepares students for university teaching, research, administration of programs, consultation, program development, etc., in a variety of settings including those in education, medicine, mental health, public health, social services, government, etc.