Developmental Psychology
Ph.D and MS Degree
Graduate School Planning and Information
Who Are Developmental Psychologists?
Developmental psychologists study human development across the life span.
They focus on the physiological, cognitive and social development that takes
place throughout each stage of life. They study both the biological influences,
such as genetics, and environmental aspects, such as parenting techniques, that
shape who we are.
Due to the large breadth of this career field, most developmental psychologists
choose to specialize in a specific life stage. They may study development during
infancy, childhood or adolescence, or changes that occur during adulthood or old
age. Developmental psychologists might also focus on developmental disabilities
and their effects.
What Do Developmental Psychologists Do?

Evaluate motor skills progression and regression

Study the developmental of moral reasoning and ethics among individuals
and groups

Study the acquisition of language skills and other forms of communication

Research social patterns, behavior, and personality development

Access individual problem solving

Access children to ensure that they are meeting developmental milestones

Create and evaluate intervention programs

Evaluate developmental disabilities
Where do Developmental Psychologists Work?
Developmental psychologists work in a variety of workplace settings. It usually
depends on the developmental psychologist’s specialty

Schools

Universities

Research Facilities

Psychiatric institutions

Hospitals

Toy companies

Elderly assisted living homes

Teen outreach programs

Homeless youth programs

Private practice
Graduate Degree Options
There are two options for graduate study in developmental psychology, either
a Master’s Degree or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)
Master’s Degree: usually take two years to complete. Some programs are
research based and others provide fieldwork experience. Coursework and
requirements vary by program.
Doctor of Philosophy: generally take five to seven years to complete and are
focused on research. Majority of developmental psychologists earn there
Ph.D. This degree opens the door for a variety of job opportunities in the
future. Find programs that have faculty conducting research in your area of
interest. Also, pay close attention to the coursework requirements for the
program, since requirements differ by school and may or may not meet your
interests. If would like to become a licensed psychologist be sure to check with
your state of residence for licensure requirements.
Planning for a Career in Developmental Psychology
Recommended Methods Classes:
Complete Psy 301 (Intro. Research Methods) or Psy 410 (Lab in Exp.
Psychology). However, Psy 410 is great for getting research preparation for
those interested in a Ph.D.
Recommended Breadth Classes:
* Psy 350 (Abnormal Psy)
* Psy 331,332, 333 (Developmental Classes)
* Psy 340 (Social Psy)
* Psy 344 (Psy and Culture)
* Psy 380 (Cognitive Psy)
Recommended Elective Classes:
* Psy 499 (Research Lab: 1 or 2 semesters) * Psy 351 (Psy of Personality)
* Psy 495 (Field Experience) * Psy 370 (Testing and Measure.)
Graduate programs for developmental psychology in the Western
United States
*UC, Santa Barbara
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.psych.ucsb.ed
u/research/devo/devo.php
* San Francisco State
Univ.
Dept. of Psychology
http://devpsych.sfsu.ed
u/
*Cal State, Bakersfield
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.csub.edu/psyc
hology/ma_program.shtm
l
*UC, Berkeley
Dept. of Psychology
http://psychology.berkeley
.edu/graduate/index.html
*UC, Santa Cruz
Dept. of Psychology
http://psych.ucsc.edu/r
esearch/developmental.
php
*UC, Los Angeles
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.psych.ucla.
edu/graduate
*UC, Davis
Dept. of Psychology
http://psychology.ucdav
is.edu/psychareas/index
.cfm?link=23&areaid=1
*UC, Riverside
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.psych.ucr.e
du/grad/index.html
*San Diego State Univ.
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.psychology.sd
su.edu/DevBrochure.html
*Washington State
Univ.
Dept. of Human Devel.
http://www.gradsch.ws
u.edu/futurestudents/academics/deg
rees/progspec_humand
ev.html
*University of
Washington
Dept. of Psychology
http://web.psych.washi
ngton.edu/areas/develo
pmental/index.html
*Arizona State Univ.
Dept. of Psychology
*Univ. of Southern
California
Dept. of Psychology
http://psychology.clas.a
su.edu/developmental
http://college.usc.edu/p
syc/graduate/developm
ental_home.cfm
*Univ. of Oregon
Dept. of Psychology
*Claremont Graduate
School
Dept. of School and
Behavioral Sciences
http://www.cgu.edu/pa
ges/183.asp
http://psychweb.uorego
n.edu/gradprog/UOpsy
_Prog_f09.pdf
*Portland State Univ.
Dept. of Psychology
http://www.psy.pdx.edu
/grad/developmental.ph
p
References:
Kuther, T. K., & Morgan, R.D. (2007). Careers in Psychology: Opportunities
in a Changing World. United States: Thomson Wadsworth.
http://www.allpsychologyschools.com/faqs/developmental-psychology.php