Honors Program

Honors Program Overview

The Human Development Honors Program is a two-year program sequence beginning in the fall of the junior year. An overall aim of the program is to create a Community of Scholars model whereby students work closely with faculty members to gain greater depth and knowledge about research and scholarship in the field of human development.

The emphasis of the Human Development Honors Program is on the scientific process, communication skills, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participation in the Human Development Honors Program will prepare students for graduate study as well as provide in-depth experiences pertinent to academic careers in the areas of developmental psychology and educational psychology as well as positions in government, education, policy, public health, and related areas.

For more information, contact the Director of the Human Development Honors Program, Dr. Melanie Killen, at hdhonors@umd.edu.

Admissions Overview

Applications for the Human Development Honors Program are accepted each spring. Typically, student will apply during their sophomore year and complete the program during their junior and senior years. However, students in junior standing may apply if they have prior research experience with their intented faculty advisor. The deadline for applications each year is May 31st.

Eligibility

Be a current Human Development Major
Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.5 (cumulative and for HD coursework)
Have completed at least 9 Human Development Major credits (including EDHD 306)
Be a rising junior (or in junior standing in special cases)
- - Junior applicants should have prior research experience with their Faculty Advisor
Obtain sponsorship from a Faculty advisor for Honors Thesis Research
- - Explore the Human Development Faculty websites here to learn more about potential research areas.

Program Requirements

Complete 12 credits of Honors Program coursework:
- - - Honors Seminar - EDHD 474 (3 credits)
    - Advanced EDHD 488H or Graduate EDHD Course (3 credits)
    - Thesis Proposal Course - EDHD 475H with Faculty Advisor (3 credits)
    - Thesis Research Course - EDHD 476H with Faculty Advisor (3 credits)
Submit a Thesis Proposal
Establish a Thesis Committee of Three Faculty Members
Complete Written Honors Thesis & Thesis Defense Presentation
Participate in the UMD Undergraduate Research Day (held in April)

How to Apply

Applications for the Human Development Honors Program should be submitted using this form. The application deadline is May 31st.

Students should contact a Human Development faculty member about serving as their Faculty Advisor prior to applying. A letter of recommendation from the Faculty Advisor is required for the applicaiton. The letter of recommendation should be sent to coehdhonors@umd.edu directly by the Faculty Advisor.

Required Application Materials:

Copy of unofficial transcript
Statement of purpose
Copy of proposed academic plan
Letter of recommendation from Faculty Advisor

See here for detailed application instructions.

Applications will by reviewed by the Human Development Honors Program Director and the Director of the Human Development Undergraduate Major. The Honors Program Director will notify students of their acceptance into the Honors Program within a month of the application deadline.

Honors Program Student Handbook

For more detailed information about the Human Development Honors Program, see the Human Development Honors Program Student Handbook.

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