Human Development & Education

Please Note: There will be a moratorium on all programs in Human Development & Education in the 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 academic years. Therefore, no new students will be permitted to begin programs in this area during this time period. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 617-353-4237 or sedgrad@bu.edu with any questions.

Degrees and Certificate Offered

• EdD in Developmental Studies
• EdM, CAGS

The program is concerned with the application of developmental theory to education, construed in its broadest sense. This specialization emphasizes the foundations of life-span learning and education across interrelated developmental domains (e.g., cognitive, affective, moral, social, etc.).

The promotion of human development and competence is a mission of educators, and the program orientation is pragmatic as well as conceptual. Students develop an understanding of the basic dimensions of human development: a life-span perspective; the convergent impact of constancy and change; life stages; traditional and changing life roles; the impact of gender, culture, race, and socioeconomics; cognitive, psychomotor, and psychosocial development; and the meaning-making processes of ego and self.

While it is expected that students will acquire a general overview of central issues in human development, ample opportunity exists for structuring a program tailored to specific needs and areas of focus. All students learn diverse theories of human development and examine the distinctive issues involved in developmental research. Students are also encouraged to arrange field experiences under faculty supervision that apply developmental theory. In addition, other course offerings at SED and across the campus may enrich or support specialized study.

Human Development includes a wide range of disciplines, and doctoral students are expected to develop specialized knowledge in one area while achieving understanding of related disciplines. Specialization may be delineated in one of a number of ways, including by discipline, by population, by setting, by age, or by domain.

Graduates holding an EdD in developmental studies fill a variety of professional roles, including university teaching and research in schools of education and other professional schools, and in hospital and clinical settings. They assume positions in schools, universities, and government agencies. They pursue careers in curriculum development, teacher education, and international development.

Requirements

Doctoral students in Human Development in Education must engage in research and other academic and professional activities related to the area of specialization and be able to assess and critique standard research approaches in the discipline. The doctoral program consists of a schoolwide core requirement, six courses in the field of study and related disciplines, and four courses in guided inquiry (Independent Study, Dissertation Advisement, Field Research Apprenticeship) or electives.

In addition, each doctoral student is required to successfully complete at least two of three comprehensive tasks prior to the problem hearing for the dissertation proposal. These tasks are designed to give students experiences that will be critical to their future academic and professional activities.

Additional information about courses and comprehensives is available in a handbook. Please contact the office of the department at 617-353-4667.

Required Courses

• SED CE 841 Theories of Human Development (Infancy, Childhood, and Early Adolescence) or
  SED CE 842 Theories of Human Development (Adolescence and Adulthood)
• SED LS 750 Cognitive Development and Language