Degree in Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychologists study the physiological, cognitive and social development of a human that takes place throughout every stage of life. These professionals study the biological influences (genetics) and environmental aspects (parenting techniques) of the formation of a personality.
Developmental Psychologist Career
Developmental Psychology Training
Most developmental psychologists specialize in a specific life stage. They may study development during infancy, childhood or adolescence, or changes that occur during adulthood or old age. They might also focus on developmental disabilities and their effects.
Developmental psychologists perform the following duties:
- Evaluate motor skills progression/regression
- Study the development of moral reasoning and ethics among individuals and groups
- Research social patterns, behavior and personality development
- Study the acquisition of language skills and other forms of communication
- Assess individual problem solving patterns
- Evaluate developmental disabilities
Developmental psychologists are employed in a variety of workplace environments. They can find job at universities, research facilities, schools, elderly assisted living homes, teen outreach programs, homeless youth programs, hospitals, psychiatric institutions and private practices.
Featured Online Programs
- BS Child development - Walden University
- BS Psychology - PreSchool Development - Walden University
- BS Psychology - Infant/Toddler Development - Walden University
- BS Child Development - Adolescent Studies - Walden University
- BA - Psychology - Child Development - Southern New Hampshire University
- BSPY - Child Development - Kaplan University
- MS - Child and Adolescent Development - Capella University
How to Become a Developmental Psychologist
If you want to become a developmental psychologist, you should keep in mind that developmental psychologists are scientists as well as psychologists. Undergraduate students usually take strong course loads in biology and the sciences as well as psychology, in order to thoroughly prepare them for a master’s or PhD program in developmental psychology.
Master’s programs in developmental psychology are limited. However, master’s programs in psychology are available. It takes two years to complete these programs. Both programs provide internships and fieldwork opportunities to allow students to apply their skills outside of the classroom. It’s very important to underline that a master’s degree is not a prerequisite for a doctorate program in developmental psychology.
Most developmental psychologists earn their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in developmental psychology. However, you should keep in mind that the PsyD degree focuses more on clinical training and less on research. Both degrees generally take 4-6 years to complete. Students in doctorate programs are often placed in internships or supervised clinical practices that coincide with their specializations, such as teaching assistantships, hospital internships or research opportunities.
Developmental psychologists who wish to set up private practices must become certified within their state of residence. You can find further information through the American Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
Online Degree Programs in Developmental Psychology
- Arizona State University – BS in Family and Human Development
- Capella University – MS in Early Childhood Education
- UMassOnline – Behavior Intervention in Autism
Universities that Offer Programs in Developmental Psychology
Here is the list of universities that offer programs in developmental psychology:
1. Stanford University
2. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
3. Yale University
4. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
5. University of California–Los Angeles
6. University of Pennsylvania
7. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
8. Carnegie Mellon University
9. University of California Berkeley
10. Cornell University
11. University of Texas–Austin
12. University of Washington
13. Indiana University Bloomington
14. University of Virginia
15. Ohio State University–Columbus
16. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
17. University of Oregon
18. University of California–Irvine
19. Rutgers University
20. Purdue University–West Lafayette
21. Pennsylvania State University–University Park
22. University of Rochester
23. Duke University
24. University of Iowa
25. University of Massachusetts Amherst
26. University of Southern California
If you plan to take part in PhD program in health psychology in Texas, you should consider entering the Texas State University. Those earning the doctorates will go on to become researchers, university faculty, scholars and program leaders.
If you choose to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology in Ohio, you will study the relationship between the human mind and human behaviors and emotions. The Ohio State University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. University of Cincinnati’s McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.
Child psychologists can choose to work for a school district. Finally, they can go into private practice. A master’s or PhD. degree allows a psychology student to specialize in child psychology.
Coursework for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree spans 4 years after a student receives their bachelor’s degree. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of fields to treat and prevent imbalance and maladjustment in human life. The coursework involved with obtaining Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree (Psy.D.) is extensive.
The subject of educational psychology is the study of psychological patterns of education and training. Educational Psychology is the branch of psychology science that studies the ways of informational interaction between individuals and educators. Education deals with the cognitive psychology processes of the child and education – with the feelings and interpersonal relations.
