Human Development Research and Policy (MA)

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Program Description
Career Opportunities
Admissions

Program Description

This one-year, 30-credit MA in Human Development Research and Policy (HDRP) prepares students from diverse disciplinary and methodological backgrounds for applied research and policy analysis in human development. Its two inter-related overarching goals are to enable students to:

Understand social, cognitive, and emotional development across the lifespan as well as the psychological, cultural, and socio-ecological factors that influence the contexts and systems in which people develop (e.g., families, schools, and neighborhoods) and
Produce and critically evaluate research to inform the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs.

Students take courses across three core areas: foundations in human development, research methodology and statistics, and professional development. They also complete a semester-long externship at a partner institution while receiving mentoring and support from the program’s faculty and a culminating project.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program pursue successful careers as research project directors, research coordinators, grant writers, research scientists, and program evaluators in a wide variety of settings including government agencies, nonprofits and foundations, university-based research centers, private industry, and international organizations. When combined with a subsequent research experience, it may also prepare students for doctoral studies in human development.

Admissions

This program is not accepting applications. Prospective students may consider related programs including Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy (MA) and Applied Statistics in Social Science Research (MS).

Program Requirements

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

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
Foundation Courses (6 Credits)
APSY-GE 2271	Survey of Developmental Psychology	3
APSY-GE 2826	Intervention and Social Change	3
Research Methodology and Statistics (8 Credits)
APSTA-GE 2001	Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I	3
or APSTA-GE 2003	Interm Quantitative Methods: General Linear Model
APSTA-GE 2002	Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II	2
or APSTA-GE 2004	Introductory Statistical Inference in R
APSY-GE 2524	Psychological Measurement	3
or RESCH-GE 2140	Approaches to Qualitative Inquiry
Professional Development (10 Credits)
APSY-GE 2077	Grant Writing and Grant Management for the Social Sciences	3
APSY-GE 2354	Internship in Human Development	1
APSY-GE 2837	Professional Development Seminar I	3
APSY-GE 2838	Professional Development Seminar II	3
Electives (6 Credits)
Students complete 6 credits by advisement.		6
Total Credits		30

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/Term		Credits
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
	Credits	15
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 to 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
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	30

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

Students will identify and analyze the psychological, cultural, and socioecological factors that influence the contexts and systems in which people develop (e.g., families, schools, and neighborhoods).
Students will apply appropriate research methods and tools to design and conduct empirical studies.
Students will identify and analyze social, cognitive, emotional, and health development of individuals across the lifespan.
Students will apply evidence-based research to facilitate the initiation, development, and management of programs related to the prevention and intervention efforts for psychological, social, educational, and health problems.
Students will describe and analyze how issues such as poverty, race, gender, and culture influence the daily lives of individuals.

Policies

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Program Policies
STEM OPT Benefits for International Students
NYU Policies
Steinhardt Academic Policies

Program Policies

STEM OPT Benefits for International Students

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.