Dare to Grow.
Prepare to Inspire.

EARN YOUR MASTER OF EDUCATION AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY PEABODY COLLEGE  

Crescere Aude. In English, it means “dare to grow.” It’s Vanderbilt’s motto. (We pronounce it kreh-sheh-ray ow-day.) At Peabody, we are committed to helping you grow and inspire change in individuals, organizations, and communities.  

Finding solutions to human problems in public, private, and non-profit organizations, agencies, and communities is a cornerstone of Peabody College. As a student in one of our master’s programs, you’ll connect theory and practice through study and application of key principles to improve lives.  

Our Human Development Studies program will help you acquire a strong theoretical grounding in human development, counseling paradigms, and change strategies. The Human Development Counseling master’s degree trains you to translate sound theoretical knowledge and research into effective counseling programs as either a clinical mental health counselor or a school counselor, while the Child Studies master’s degree equips you with the skills to solve the most pressing challenges facing children and families.  

Ready to begin your journey? Complete the Request Information form or start your free application today. 

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Find Your Degree

If you're interested in the field of human development, we encourage you to explore these master's programs.

Master's Programs

  • Human Development Counseling

    Counseling begins and ends with the needs of human beings. Gain experience working with diverse populations in diverse contexts by earning a Human Development Counseling (HDC) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling from Vanderbilt University. The HDC master's degree trains you to translate sound theoretical knowledge and research into effective counseling programs as a clinical mental health or school counselor. In a rigorous and integrated program of study, you will acquire a strong theoretical grounding in human development, counseling paradigms, and change strategies.

    Learn More About Human Development Counseling

  • Human Development Studies

    From personal relationships to group dynamics to entire organizational structures, the principles of effective human development can be applied in many ways. In this innovative program, students develop their skills to drive and manage change, working with diverse populations in a wide range of settings, and set themselves apart as effective organizational leaders focused on equity and systemic change. Dietitian/Nutritionist and Organizational specializations are available in HDS.

    Learn More About Human Development Studies

  • Child Studies

    This program features two tracks. Within the Clinical & Developmental Research track, students work alongside Vanderbilt researchers to strengthen their eventual application to doctoral programs in clinical, developmental, and other areas of psychology. Within the Applied Professional track, students are matched with community foundations, hospitals, and other human service organizations to gain hands-on experience toward a variety of careers, including child development advocates, child life specialists and behavior analysts.

    Learn more about Child Studies

  • 97%

    of graduates are employed within four months of graduation

My education prepared me to be an individual who embraces challenges and utilizes multiple viewpoints when approaching a situation. I have gotten to apply what I learned in many capacities from direct client care, to organizational leadership, to program development and application in the community. I'm proud to be an alumnus and look forward to using my education to make a positive impact across my career.

Meet Our Ambassa'dores

Peabody Ambassa'dores are representatives of the Office of Graduate Admissions who serve as a resource for prospective and admitted students to share information about their experience deciding to attend, transitioning to, and enrolling at Peabody.

Suxin Chen

Suxin Chen - Human Development Counseling (HDC)

Suxin Chen is a student in the Human Development Counseling (HDC) program on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track at Peabody. She is originally from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology.

Prior to studying at Vanderbilt, Suxin served as an Americorps VISTA for the South Cumberland Plateau VISTA Program. She worked with a Head Start program serving families in rural communities, developing education and awareness to cultivate resilience and positive adaptation to adversity and adverse childhood experiences.

Suxin chose to attend Peabody because of the HDC program's emphasis on longitudinal human development through the lens of relationships between individuals, environments, and human systems. She was also drawn to the supportive community that Peabody students, faculty, and staff have built and knew this strong sense of community would help her flourish during the duration of her program.

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