Psychology, Developmental, PhD

Graduate Study in Developmental Psychology

The Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program aims to prepare students for careers in research, teaching and scholarly activities.  The program focuses on the study of human development in societal and cultural contexts.  Faculty members emphasize sophistication and innovation in theory and methods, and encourage students to use diverse qualitative and/or quantitative methods.  Faculty and student research projects focus on all parts of the life course, from early childhood through adolescence and emerging adulthood into later adulthood.  There is also a focus on addressing local and global issues of real-world relevance.  Examples of recent research foci include early literacy, math and science learning, children’s learning in diverse cultural contexts, the societal constitution of personal epistemology, moral and civic development in the context of culture and globalization, the discursive construction of adolescence, and emerging adulthood.  Developmental Psychology Ph.D. students are mentored by a primary advisor (first as part of the departmental portfolio system and subsequently in the context of their dissertation committee).  Students also have ample opportunity to draw upon the expertise of other faculty members across all three Ph.D. programs in the department (developmental, clinical, and social), both in courses and outside the classroom.  Furthermore, visiting scholars (often from abroad) are present in the department every year.  In terms of course work, developmental students are required to complete a total of 16 courses, of which eight are developmental (two Developmental Forums, and six Developmental Content courses).  There are opportunities for research in schools and in other community settings, including outside the United States.  Students have access to a wide range of research facilities (at Clark University and many other universities in area).  The Goddard Library on campus has an extensive collection of books and journals going back to the inception of graduate study in psychology in the United States.  Currently, the department is also home to several high-quality academic journals, including Culture and Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Research, Narrative Inquiry, and New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development.  Computer facilities are available on campus and in the department.  For additional information about study in developmental psychology, please contact the department Chair, Marianne Wiser.