Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies! We are a community of scholars, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing human growth and understanding across the lifespan.

Our department offers a range of programs designed to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for impactful careers in psychology, education, and human development. Whether you would like to begin your postsecondary career with us or are seeking to continue your higher education journey, we have several programs for you to consider:

• Our undergraduate Human Development program provides a strong foundation for understanding development across the lifespan. Faculty emphasize cultural responsiveness and social justice, equipping students with methods to analyze ways individuals, particularly those in diverse and marginalized environments, and communities can be empowered. We also offer the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and a Master of Social Work degree in five years. 
   
• Our new online degree completion program in Human Development offers the flexibility to complete an undergraduate degree in Human Development from anywhere in the world within two years. Students who transfer in 60-72 credits from another American higher education institution and meet all the requirements during the admissions process are well on their way to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development.
   
• For those interested in advancing their studies, we offer a master’s degree in School Psychology and doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology, Educational Psychology, School Psychology. The APA Accredited Counseling Psychology doctoral program, with an emphasis on training students through the utilization of a scientist-practitioner framework, trains future psychologists using multicultural competence and social justice lenses to better serve underserved populations. The program faculty include individuals whose work has helped shape the counseling profession through such work on mental health disparities, multicultural counseling, youth counseling and therapy, and psychometric assessment. As the only doctoral Educational Psychology program at an HBCU, our program trains students to conduct innovative research and evaluation studies through the application of psychological theories that consider diverse populations. Students study such topics as human learning, motivation, achievement, the instructional process, testing, measurement, and assessment, individual and group differences in schooling and go on to have careers in education, research centers, government entities, or any institution that conducts research, performs testing, or conducts evaluation studies. The school Psychology master’s program is aligned with the national Association of School Psychologists (NASP) standards while the doctoral program is approved/nationally recognized by NASP and aligned with the standards of training and practice established by the American Psychological Association. Both programs prepare students for their future careers equipping students with the skills to support all children, emphasizing data-driven problem-solving and accountability in their work, and deepening their understanding of diverse human behavior shaped by various experiences. 

As a scholar in our department, you will learn from renowned faculty who are experts in their fields and dedicated to mentoring the next generation of professionals. You will also join a community that embraces diversity while encouraging collaboration and growth. We invite you to explore our programs and discover how our department can support your academic and career goals. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to connect. I look forward to welcoming you to our community! 

Sincerely,

Kyndra V. Middleton, PhD
Department Chair, Human Development & Psychoeducational Studies
Professor of Educational Psychology
School of Education, Miner Building, Room 201X
Howard University
Email: kyndra.middleton@howard.edu
Phone: 202-806-6015