Program Description

The Master of Science in Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders degree program prepares students to work with young children (from birth to 5 years) and their families in clinical, hospital and educational settings. Combining coursework with practical experiences — from homes to preschools, clinics to specialized intervention programs — the curriculum introduces students to core concepts related to children’s physical, cognitive, emotional and social development and to an advanced, specialized understanding of important competencies, such as: 

• Developmental assessment and identification methods. 
• Diagnostic and intervention techniques. 
• Developmental delays and disorders. 
• Best practices for working with families. 

Through coursework combined with supervised practicum and internship experiences, graduates are qualified to work as Early Intervention Specialists and Developmental Specialists. With one additional year of work experience, graduates typically qualify for Level 2 Infant Mental Health Endorsement by First3Years (formerly the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health) an internationally recognized credential.  

Practicum and internship placements are tailored to students’ interests and training needs and take advantage of the diverse and innovative early intervention programs serving young children and their families in North Texas, including those conducted by the UT Dallas Center for Children and Families. 

Benefits

In the Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders master’s program, students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to address practical problems and develop skills to communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.  

Other benefits include: 

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses and lab work in the Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders program introduce students to new ideas, technologies, and competencies while preparing them to succeed in hospital, clinical and educational settings. 
• Facilities: The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences is housed in Green Hall and the Erik Jonsson Academic Center, and is enhanced by six centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. 
• Labs and Internships: Students have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research in one of the more than 50 labs across campus and within the School’s centers and institutes. 
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region — recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs” — UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders program have gone on to professional careers as Early Intervention Specialists, Developmental Specialists and Parent Educators in a variety of settings, such as: 

• Nonprofit agencies 
• Hospitals 
• Healthcare clinics 
• Schools 

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Priority application deadline for the fall semester is February 15. The program will consider applications on a rolling basis until May 1. Visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process, and see the Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders website for additional information. 

Applicants to the Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders master’s program should have: 

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. 
• A grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate-level coursework of 3.0 or better on a 4.0-point scale. 
• Test Scores: GRE scores are optional.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals able to judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program. 
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit an essay outlining their academic interests and career goals. 
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants. 

Although the program is designed for students with backgrounds in psychology, special education, physical and occupational therapy, early childhood education, speech/language pathology and communication disorders, students from other disciplines who have relevant experiences and interests are also encouraged to apply. Application fees may be waived for members of some professional organizations serving underrepresented groups, such as Teach for America, McNair Scholars, and the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT). 

All off-campus field experiences, including practicum and internship placements, require a criminal background check; students who fail the criminal background check will not be able to complete the master’s degree. 

All off-campus field experiences, including practicum and internship placements, require a criminal background check; students who fail the criminal background check will not be able to complete the master’s degree.