PhD in Developmental Psychology

Drive positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.

In this timely, relevant program, you apply your understanding of human growth and development to current topics such as technology in the digital age and the needs of populations such as the LGBTQ community and refugees.

Through our PhD in Developmental Psychology, you can benefit from:

  • Career-focused specializations
  • Relevant curriculum
  • Engagement with a global community
  • Face-to-face residencies

Fast Facts

Next Start Date: July 10, 2023

Transfer Credits: Up to 53 credits

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Specializations

Prepare yourself as a leader and administrator in the field of human development.
Learn to apply the latest theories and research on child development, abnormal psychology, behavior analysis, and health issues affecting children and adolescents.
Develop an understanding of psychopathology, including emotional and behavioral disorders, the classification systems of infants, children, and adolescents. You will also, gain the skills necessary to apply a multidisciplinary approach to the study of aging.
Gain an understanding of the relationship between health, health behavior, and human development.
Focus on how humans develop throughout the world and how their development can be interpreted.
Gain the skills to understand the factors that impact human development and behavior.
Design your own program of study. This offering provides you with maximum flexibility to design a program that closely matches your personal and professional goals.
Apply developmental theories and the latest research in human development to the science of learning and instruction.

Curriculum

Course content

In this program, you will:

  • Synthesize theory and research in the physical, cognitive, emotional, health, social, and cultural aspects of human development
  • Evaluate how key issues and seminal works within the field of developmental psychology (including the areas of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of human development) apply to human development across the lifespan
  • Apply theory and research in the practice of a developmental psychologist
  • Synthesize developmental psychology theory and research in the areas of cognitive, neurological, emotional, physical, social, and cultural aspects of human development
  • Describe experiences and perspectives of diverse populations—including but not limited to those defined by race, culture, socioeconomics, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability—from a developmental psychology perspective

Doctoral Degree Coach

A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate

Earning your online PhD in Developmental Psychology requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

  • Man at Crossroads

    Map and Track Milestones

    Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.

  •  

    Meet Weekly Targets

    No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.

  • Shaking Hands

    Connect With Faculty

    Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.

  • Three Books Lined Up

    Access Helpful Resources

    Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.

More about our PhD in Developmental Psychology program

A PhD in Developmental Psychology can help prepare you for a broad range of careers, which may include researcher, consultant, teacher, or administrator.* Graduates of degree programs in developmental psychology may seek employment in:

  • Academic institutions
  • Entertainment industry (toy/game or media)
  • Public and private hospitals
  • Early childhood and other education centers
  • Community youth organizations
  • Nursing, residential care, or mental health facilities
  • Nonprofit human service organizations
  • Crisis intervention programs
  • Rehabilitation and senior centers
  • Advocacy and policy organizations
  • Individual and family services

*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

A master's degree or higher is required for entrance into this program. You will also be required to submit a completed online application, employment history, and official transcripts.

Your enrollment specialist will help you gather all of the required materials starting with your application all the way through your first day of classes.

 
Walden’s Enrollment Specialists are committed to helping you identify and leverage opportunities to save money on your education. Get in touch with an Enrollment Specialist today at 888-968-5331 to learn more.
Our Enrollment Specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding this program. Fill out the form on this page to be contacted or call 855-203-5779.

Why earn your PhD in Developmental Psychology at Walden?

learn-with-leaders-small

Accomplished Faculty

Many of our teaching faculty members hold doctoral degrees across a spectrum of specialty areas.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Services

Benefit from our 24/7 tech support, Writing Center, Career Services Center, and more.

relevant-curriculum

Research Your Passion

Select your own doctoral study topic and research what interests you.

learn-with-leaders-small

Accomplished Faculty

Many of our teaching faculty members hold doctoral degrees across a spectrum of specialty areas.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Services

Benefit from our 24/7 tech support, Writing Center, Career Services Center, and more.

relevant-curriculum

Research Your Passion

Select your own doctoral study topic and research what interests you.

“I had to make sure the college I chose was accredited and user-friendly with a challenging curriculum."

Ginger Jenkins | MS in Forensic Psychology Graduate, PhD in Psychology Student

Note on Licensure

The PhD in Developmental Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Enrollment Restrictions by State

Walden currently cannot enroll residents of the following states/districts into the PhD in Developmental Psychology program: Kentucky, Washington and Wisconsin.

ONGOING MILITARY OFFER:

A 15% tuition reduction for servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their spouses.*

*A 15% tuition reduction is available to new students who are servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a servicemember, veteran, or employee of the VA. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course.

Walden may change the tuition reduction offered hereunder at any time, but such change will not affect the tuition reduction for students who are currently enrolled at Walden and using the existing tuition reduction. All tuition reductions, grants, or scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements. Contact a Walden University Enrollment Specialist for details.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, https://www.hlcommission.org/.