Best Master's in Human Development Programs

A bachelor's degree in human development isn't the only undergraduate degree that can prepare you for a master's program in human development. A bachelor's degree in any field of psychology provides a good foundation to succeed in graduate study in human development as the study of human development is largely psychologically based. A bachelor's degree in early education would also be relevant, especially for those who want to specialize in early child development during their master's program. Other bachelor's degrees related to various social services, such as counseling, would also be good choices.

Like most graduate programs, applicants to a human development master's program will usually have completed a bachelor's degree with a reasonably good GPA. (Though every university varies, there is not usually a GPA cut-off for these programs.) Applicants to a master's program in human development are usually required to submit GRE scores as part of the admissions process, and your GRE score can frequently be more important in presenting yourself as a preferable applicant than your GPA. As per usual with a graduate program application, you'll also need to submit two or more letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic work (usually your undergraduate professors).

One of the biggest differences between different master's programs in human development is whether the program focuses on academic research or is career-oriented. A program that focuses on academic research will require students to complete a master's thesis and will prepare them for post-graduate studies. A program that is career-oriented is more likely to focus on the use of the student's learning in a clinical or counseling setting and will likely include a work experience requirement. Prospective students may also want to consider the concentrations offered by different programs.

Courses in a master's program in human development will focus on the factors that affect how people develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially from childhood throughout their adult life. Some courses focus on career or academic applications of skills learned during the program, such as effective counseling methods, while others focus on understanding the developmental process at various life stages, such as early childhood. Other courses involve refining students' abilities to conduct research on issues in human development.

Human Development Foundational Courses

• Developmental Psychology. This introductory course will cover the basics principles of human development as they pertain to psychological development. Even programs that don't focus on psychological aspects of human development incorporate developmental psychology to some degree.
• Research Methods. This course will teach students how to conduct research effectively on human development topics. While programs will require this course for all human development students, it is especially important for students planning to complete a master's thesis.
• Minority Development. Members of minority communities (such as people of color or LGBTQ+ individuals) experience unique factors that can influence their development, and graduates of a master's program should understand the roots of these different factors and their implications.

Human Development Specialist & Elective Courses

• Counseling and Human Development. A master's in human development can prepare students for a number of counseling careers, drawing on graduates' understanding of how individuals condition themselves in response to external events and circumstances.
• Child Development. Because of the significance of childhood in the developmental process, many students, regardless of their specialization, will take a course focusing specifically on this stage of development.
• Program Planning and Leadership. Some students will opt to take courses that teach them to better manage programs that see to others' developmental needs, such as social services.

Licensure & Certification in Human Development

While there is no specific license for human development itself, many careers one would pursue with a master's degree in human development involve counseling or therapy, which often incorporates mental health work. Just like those who practice in the field of medical health, those who work in mental health fields need to be certified to do so in the state in which they practice. While requirements vary by state, you will need to have completed your master's degree, and you'll likely have to complete one (or both) of two examinations: the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is a great resource to guide you in your certification process. You can even become nationally certified through the NBCC as an additional show of credibility.

If your human development master's program is career-oriented rather than academic-oriented, focusing on workplace skills related to human development jobs rather than on conducting research and completing a thesis, you may be required to complete a certain amount of work experience in addition to your studies. This will occur toward the end of your program and will likely align with your coursework. If you're taking a seminar on family studies, for example, you may do your work experience at a family and marriage counseling center. This work experience is valuable from both a practical experience standpoint and a networking one; you may be able to acquire full-time work with the same employer after you complete your degree.

Some master's programs in human development will have their students select one of several concentrations or paths of study, usually focused on a target group of individuals with specific needs that the student will aid with her or his studies. One common concentration offered is in early childhood development; while most graduate human development students will take a course in early childhood development, many will take several courses covering the breadth of different factors that have significant effects on child development. Child advocacy is another concentration related to children.

Another example of a human development concentration is developmental differences. This concentration focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to serve those who develop differently than most of their peers, such as those with learning disabilities or other challenges.

Students who have completed a master's degree program in human development have the option of pursuing a PhD in human development. If you are looking to do research into human development rather than going into a career like counseling, this may be the choice for you. A PhD program will be looking for applicants who have solid research experience, such as a master's thesis, given that PhD candidates will need to do intensive research during their program in an area of their choosing, coordinating closely with a faculty member.

A master's degree in human development trains students to understand others' psychological needs and why they act and feel the ways they do. As such, most careers for human development master's program graduates involve helping others to work through challenges they face, ranging from mental health concerns to helping those with special needs. They often work in clinics that provide therapy to those who need it, but they have a number of other environments in which they can work as well. There are lots of opportunities to help the under-served as well as to help children, which can make these careers especially rewarding.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Human Development

Annual salaries for careers in human development can range significantly; some pay only mediocre salaries while others pass six figures. The good news for human development careers, though, is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects significant to massive growth in these careers over the 2019-2029 period. Unsurprisingly, given the human part of human development, most human development careers center on serving other people who need professional or personal guidance. Those with a master's degree in human development are well-equipped to function as counselors in these rapidly growing fields, but they have other career options as well, should they decide they aren't suited to counseling, therapy, or social work.

How to Become a Counselor

Counselors come in various forms, but they all aim to help people. A relevant master's degree is required for counseling work, and a human development master's program graduate would make a good mental health counselor because graduates understand how people can respond to mental health challenges in healthy, positive ways. While many counselors work in clinical centers, many are also school counselors who work with K-12 and university students alike. School counselors help students who are struggling with everything from mental health issues to family concerns, but they also help students who are thriving in areas such as career and academic planning. According to the BLS, school counselors earn $58,120 a year, and their job outlook from 2019-2029 is an 8% increase, double that of the overall economy.

Another type of counselor you could become is a marriage and family counselor (also called a marriage and family therapist). These counselors help couples to reconcile differences and resolve issues that threaten the well-being of their marriage and their children or other family members. They help clients to approach their relationships in a healthy, positive manner. The BLS shows that the average marriage and family counselor salary is $51,340 annually; it also shows that these careers have a remarkable job growth prediction from 2019-2029 of 22%!

How to Become a Human Resources Manager

Graduates of a master's program in human development also make excellent workers in human resources (HR). While a bachelor's degree in any field is usually enough education to get an entry-level HR position, a human resources manager has higher qualifications. They are more senior members of the HR team and direct other members. Human development graduates are good candidates for these positions because they have studied the different mechanisms that people use when reacting to conflict, stress, and differing ideas. They understand how to work with these people to ensure a cooperative and successful work environment and can help employees to resolve issues that would prevent this. Unlike many counselors who would work in a clinic or other public setting, most HR managers work in a typical business office. The BLS reports that human resource managers earn a six-figure salary of $121,220 a year on average, and they have an expected 2019-2029 job growth of 6%, which is faster than average.

It's highly recommended that all students complete a FAFSA application to see what federal financial aid they may be able to receive before taking out any loans they will have to pay back. Unfortunately, graduate students face more restrictions in receiving federal aid than undergraduate students. Graduate students in some programs related to health services can be eligible for a FAFSA Direct Unsubsidized Loan; if you're interested in pursuing a master's degree in a human development program that has a concentration in clinical practices such as family counseling or child services, you should check with your potential programs' universities' financial aid offices to see if these programs at their schools qualify as a health profession program according to FAFSA.

You should also check with prospective universities' financial aid offices to see what kinds of scholarships are available; students who excelled in their undergraduate studies may be eligible for merit-based scholarships, especially if they have had research experience. If you plan to use your degree in human development to work with under-served or marginalized individuals, you should see if your prospective universities offer scholarships to students dedicated to serving these communities.