Human Development, Learning, and Culture

The Human Development, Learning, and Culture (HDLC) program at UBC advances research and practice in education through the application of theoretical models and concepts to real world educational issues. Investigations of learning and developing, including the unique contributions of culture to these processes, are applied widely to classroom, afterschool, work, and digital contexts. This work is interpreted through a variety of theoretical lenses (e.g., sociocultural, social and emotional, cognitive). Coursework emphasizes three primary areas: a) learning and developing, b) culture and diversity, and c) research methods. HDLC graduates have found careers in a variety of settings including university teaching and research, social policy analysis, curriculum and program evaluation, schools and community organizations, and corporate learning communities.

Coursework emphasizes three primary areas:

  1. Learning and development,
  2. Culture and diversity, and
  3. Research methods, including qualitative and quantitative, experimental and developmental.

HDLC graduates have found careers in a variety of settings, including:

  • University teaching and research
  • Social policy analysis
  • Curriculum and program evaluation
  • Schools and community organizations
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Corporate learning communities


Master’s students may specialize in a concentration: Self-Regulated Learning or Social and Emotional Learning