Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (with a Concentration in Human Development in Educational Contexts)
(ISIS code: HD4)

The Human Development program takes an interdisciplinary and contextual approach to the study of human development. The program is unique in three ways:

• It focuses on processes of growth and change, as opposed to static conceptions of the individual.
• Human development is studied from early childhood through adulthood and from philosophical, historical, sociological, and psychological perspectives, with emphasis on integration across the disciplines.
• The program focuses on the linkage between development processes and the contexts in which they occur. While the primary emphasis is on educational contexts, sociohistorical, cultural, and familial contexts will also be considered. Relations between contexts and development are viewed as interactive, mutually influential, and transformational. There is a strong emphasis on research methodologies appropriate for the study of development and change in real-world contexts.

More specifically, this concentration seeks to develop a disciplined analytical perspective that explicates:

• Different developmental processes and their relations to context.
• The constitutive role of schools and other social systems as institutional shapers of development-e.g., of children's motivation and social and cognitive skills.
• The analysis of institutions, explicitly regarding their role in encouraging the development of specific cognitive content and understanding.

Requirements

I. Entry-level Courses
(Up to 30 credits)

Some or all may transferred from previous graduate work.

II. Research Methods Courses
(9 credits)

ED 506 Concepts and Issues in Social Science Research (formerly titled Doctoral Research Methods)
ED 504 Quantitative Research Methods
ED 507 Qualitative Research Methods

Learn more about Research Methods Experiences for Ph.D. students.

III. Program Core
(24 credits)

ED 560 Research in Cognitive Development
EDU 565 Research in Life Course Studies
EDU 549 Contemporary Learning Theories
EDU 557 Selected Theories of Human Development
ED 592 Research Apprenticeship in Human Development--an apprenticeship program, beginning first semester, first year, totaling 12 hours, culminating in a thesis/second year project, joint publication, etc. Can count toward 30 credits of dissertation research.

IV. Electives

In consultation with your advisor, select courses from among those available in human development, counseling, or other Warner School and University of Rochester offerings to reach a total of 90 credit hours for the program. Examples of available courses include:

EDU 449 Special Populations and Research in Human Development
EDU 467 Language, Literacy, Cognitive Development
ED 415 Adolescent Development and Youth Culture
EDU 464 Child Development and Learning in Context
ED 418 The Family and Social Dynamics
EDU 473 Social Organization of Work and Career
ED 412 Sociology of Education
ED 417 Education of American Women: A Social and Cultural History
ED 520 Introduction to Program Evaluation
ED 521 Advanced Program Evaluation
EDU 498 Literacy Learning as Social Practice
EDU 465 Assessment and Appraisal
ED 517 Schooling and Social Justice
ED 508 Reasoning, Argument, and Explanation
ED 429 Theories of Human Development
ED 435 Critical Thinking and Professional Practice
ED 505 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods: General Linear Analysis II
EDU 525 Theory and Research on Teaching and Learning
EDU 564 Contemporary Trends in Mental Health Appraisal, Intervention, and Research
ED 457 Autism Spectrum Disorders: Characteristics and Educational Issues
CSP Motivation
CSP Special and Personality Development
CSP Development and Psychopathology
CSP Advanced Statistics
CSP Theories of Moral Development

V. Dissertation Research
(30 credits)

In consultation with your advisor, choose a combination of at least one advanced research methods course, research apprenticeship, Ph.D. Dissertation Research (ED 595), Independent Study (ED 591), and other courses directly related to your dissertation for a total of 30 credits. A least 15 credits must be in ED 595 and can only be taken after the comprehensive exam.

VI. Additional Requirements/Milestones

• Successful completion of a portfolio within first two years in the program
• Successful completion of research apprenticeship/second year paper
• Successful completion of comprehensive exams
• Successful completion and defense of dissertation
• Residency requirement: two successive semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall) of full-time study (12 credits a semester or 9 credits a semester if holding an assistantship)

Total: 90 credits (of which 6 must be taken outside the Warner School)

Go to Counseling & Human Development Course Listing.