This is a research-oriented Master's degree.

This Master's degree project establishes complementary relationships between the different actors for developing the project of a Master's Degree in Psychology of Education and Human Development in Multicultural Contexts. The University of Valencia would be in charge of the studies and, at the same time, the body responsible for coordinating an international teaching network composed of teaching and research staff at the University of Valencia, and in the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, the Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica and the Instituto Superior Pedagógico CREA.

Academic and scientific or professional relevance

The studies in Psychology of Education and Human Development have been characterised by their great sensitivity to the current problems arisen from the low levels of education of many people living in less-developed countries. Right now, this field focuses on a broad range of issues articulated in strategic lines of great scientific and social relevance.

As defended by different national and international organisations, Education and Human Development are important and necessary areas not only because they need more professionals to work with people of all ages, but also because they need more researchers trained to explore key issues in both development and education as in different multicultural contexts. Specifically, the study of standardised developmental aspects, as well as of developmental problems and the better understanding of educational processes and of the personal, family, social, environmental and cultural circumstances that promote a better personal development and quality of life, are crucial aspects that require a greater and better research effort. The exchange experiences and best practices, researchers, research results and data that create a solid empirical basis to support the design of policies and programmes, the establishment of projects and the dissemination of information are also a priority.

We should also note the growing need for qualified professionals specialising in people at any point in their life cycle, both those with standard development and those with developmental disorders. The need to extend this research to social and family contexts point to the fact that this Master's degree will have a great influence in all the countries in which the participating universities are located.

Relationship of the proposal to the socioeconomic characteristics of the targeted areas

This Master's is a great opportunity for the development and intellectual power of the universities involved. The main reason is to consider the great extent to which science and technology have improved the living conditions of humanity as a whole. In this case, the results of the research in Human Development and Education will provide a boost in scientific quality and an appropriate training for the professionals that will promote the development of their countries.

Another important reason is that Latin America is the continent with the youngest population in the world. Currently, the Latin American population under 25 years of age exceeds 58 million people. Following the UN demographic prospects, it will grow 50% by 2050. It is for this reason that Latin America is called the continent of hope.

The United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have developed important action plans to address this challenge, which reflect the strong implication that must be attributed to the Psychology of Education and Human Development.

Data and studies on the potential demand for the studies and their relevance for society

The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo doesn't offer any doctoral studies due to their lack of professors. The same happens in the Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica and in the Instituto Superior Pedagógico Privado CREA in Peru. The Huancavelica Region is the one with lower human development (HDI: 0.4924) in Peru, with areas of poverty and extreme poverty that also have an effect on its educational system, including its University, which doesn't offer any doctoral studies or training programmes for doctors.

The Master's and doctoral studies are a great strategy of Education and Human Development. They are a strong connection between the University and the socioeconomic environment, as they promote not only higher education and research, but also, as a consequence, human and educational social development, as well as greater economic development.
Moreover, this doctoral programme (700H) has achieved excellent results since 2003, year in which the appendix to this bilateral agreement between the University of Valencia and the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo was signed on 3 June.