Psychology, Developmental, PhD

Graduate Study in Developmental Psychology

The developmental psychology curriculum is intended to prepare students for a career in research, teaching and scholarly activity. It strives to impart both theoretical sophistication and competence in observational, experimental, interpretative and comparative inquiry with regard to developmental issues. Emphasized are ways of representing and examining all life phenomena, rather than focusing exclusively on a particular population (e.g., infants, children, adults) or a specific subject matter. In-depth study is offered with particular populations and in specific areas bridging social, cognitive and language development. Students with a concentration in developmental psychology are required to enroll for two semesters in PSYC 300 - Developmental Psychology Forum  and take a series of six graduate developmental seminars. These eight courses satisfy, at the same time, the content courses requirement of the graduate program. Since there are no sharp separations between different areas within the department, students who work primarily in developmental psychology have the opportunity to study with other faculty in the department who have an interest in their area of specialization.

Distinctive features of the program include a strong interest in theoretical perspectives, a concern with the relationship between problems and methods of inquiry, and an attempt to place questions in their historical and cross-disciplinary contexts. Faculty interests intersect around topics in the development of psychological processes in societal and cultural context, specifically in the development of conceptualization and reasoning, in the study of social relations and interpersonal interactions, development of languages, symbolization and communication, and study of the relation of environmental conditions to functioning.

Research facilities in the department include a child-study area. There are opportunities for research in the schools and in other community settings. The Goddard Library has an extensive collection of books and journals going back to the inception of graduate study in psychology in the United States. Computer facilities are available on campus and in the department. For additional information about study in developmental psychology, write to Lene Jensen (ljensen@clarku.edu).