Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology at the University of Rochester offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to explore the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of individuals across the lifespan. This program emphasizes an integrative approach, combining theoretical frameworks with empirical research methods to deepen students' understanding of developmental processes. Students will examine how genetic, environmental, cultural, and societal factors influence growth and change from infancy through old age. The program fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling graduates to evaluate research findings and apply them to real-world issues in education, healthcare, and policy. With access to state-of-the-art laboratories and resources, students gain hands-on experience conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results within the context of current scientific debates. The curriculum includes coursework in developmental theory, research methodology, statistics, and applications of developmental psychology in various settings. Students also have opportunities for supervised research projects, internships, and collaborations with faculty who are leading experts in the field. The program prepares graduates for a range of careers, including research, clinical work, education, and policy development. It also provides a strong foundation for those interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology, education, social work, or related disciplines. The University of Rochester's Developmental Psychology program is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community, encouraging innovative research, and supporting students in their academic and professional growth. Graduates leave well-equipped with knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations necessary to contribute meaningfully to understanding human development and improving quality of life across all stages of life.

Training Tracks

Students have the option of earning their developmental psychology degree through one of two training tracks:

• Developmental psychology training track
• Developmental psychopathology training track

Within each of the tracks, students also enjoy considerable latitude to select coursework and training experiences to meet the requirements of the training tracks. The specific details on the curriculum of each training track are presented below.

Developmental Psychology Training Track

The developmental psychology training track offers students intensive and personalized research training in the different areas of the developmental sciences reflected in our faculty's interests. Students in this track complete departmental methodology and core course requirements as well as a year-long core course sequence in developmental psychology. They take additional advanced coursework in statistics and in developmental psychology.

Departmental Requirements

Students must fulfill the departmental quantitative methods, departmental distribution, and teaching requirements outlined in graduate handbook (PDF). This includes a year-long course in statistics, as well as two courses in other areas of the program.

Developmental Core Courses

Students must also take the Developmental Core courses:

• CSP 569: Developmental Theory and Research
• CSP 562: Developmental Methods

Developmental Elective Courses

Students must also take three of the following additional elective courses:

• CSP 525: Positive Youth Development
• CSP 560: Family Processes in Childhood
• CSP 563: Adolescent Development
• CSP 565: Early Child Development
• CSP 566: Neurobiological Foundations
• CSP 583: Moral Development

Courses in Brain and Cognitive Science also may be used as Developmental Program electives, and additional seminars are sometimes offered.

Research

Students are also expected to participate in one or more of the faculty members’ research program beginning in the first semester of the first year. As students progress through the program, they are expected to develop increasingly independent research programs. A Master’s thesis consisting of a small empirical research study is expected at the end of the second year. Their research experience culminates in the defense of the dissertation.

Developmental Psychopathology Training Track

The curriculum of the developmental psychopathology program is as follows:

Departmental Requirements

Students must fulfill the departmental quantitative and research methods, departmental distribution, and teaching requirements outlined in graduate handbook (PDF).

Core Courses

Students must also take the following core courses:

• CSP 569 Developmental Theory and Research
• CSP 562 Developmental Methods
• CSP 575 Psychopathology I
• CSP 576 Psychopathology II
• CSP 570 Assessment I: Psychometrics

Developmental Psychopathology Elective Courses

Students must also take three of the following additional elective courses:

• CSP 560: Family Processes in Childhood
• CSP 566: Neurobiological Foundations
• CSP 571: Assessment II: Individual Differences
• CSP 572: Clinical Research Methods
• CSP 583: Moral Development
• CSP 586: Evidence-Based Child Psychotherapy 

Developmental Psychopathology Translational Placement

Students are also required to gain direct experience in a semester long, developmental psychopathology internship approved by the developmental psychology program faculty. 

Given the research orientation of this program, the goal of the placement does not involve opportunities to gain intensive skills in psychotherapy as would be the case in a clinical psychology program. Rather, the overarching aim is to advance student understanding of how to translate knowledge to formulate programs designed to improve the welfare of individuals, conduct the programs, and analyze their effectiveness.

Other Didactic Activities

In addition to attending and participating in the presentations in the monthly Development Psychology Brown Bag Lunch Series, students are also expected to participate in scholarly exchanges in the monthly Developmental Psychopathology Presentation Series.

Students are also encouraged to seek out other courses in substantive (e.g., Close Relationships Seminar, Emotion Seminar) and quantitative (e.g., Structured Equation Modeling) within the department as well as potentially relevant courses outside the department (e.g., Language and Cognition courses offered in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department).

Research

Students are also expected to participate in one or more of the faculty members’ research program beginning in the first semester of the first year. As students progress through the program, they are expected to develop increasingly independent research programs that culminate in the defense of the dissertation.

Requirements

• There is a $60 non-refundable application fee.
• Personal statement
• Official transcript(s)* 
• Three letters of recommendation
• CV/resume
• GRE/TOEFL scores

GRE Scores

• Scores less than five years old can be submitted
• The Advanced Psychology test is required for the Clinical Program, for Social and Developmental programs this test is optional
• Results of GREs taken in December may not reach us in time to consider with your application

TOEFL Scores

If you do not meet one of the following criteria, you must fulfill the English proficiency examination requirement (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE-Academic):

• You are a native speaker of English in your home environment
• You completed three or more years of secondary education at an American or international school where English is the primary language of instruction

GRE and TOEFL Codes

• Institution: 2928 (or new code: 7267) also applies to TOEFL
• Clinical: 2001
• Developmental: 2006
• Social-Personality: 2015

Scholarships

Most students who are accepted into our programs are granted a full tuition scholarship and receive a fellowship or assistantship supported by department funds or a research or training grant. The departmental stipend for incoming students during the 2016-2017 academic year is $20,000.

University Sproull Fellowships and Provost Minority Fellowships provide additional awards to graduate students of exceptional academic promise.

Developmental Psychology at the University of Rochester offers students a comprehensive exploration of the psychological development of individuals from infancy through adulthood. The program emphasizes understanding the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence growth across the lifespan. Students engage with a diverse curriculum that includes core courses in developmental theory, research methods, and statistics, alongside specialized classes focusing on areas such as language development, social cognition, and developmental disorders. The faculty comprises leading scholars in the field, providing students with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects, often involving experimental studies, longitudinal research, and community-based investigations.

The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from neuroscience, education, and clinical psychology to foster a nuanced understanding of developmental processes. Students gain practical experience through laboratory work, internships, and collaboration with local schools and community organizations. The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences supports the program by offering state-of-the-art research facilities, including behavioral laboratories and neuroimaging equipment, enabling students to apply innovative techniques in their research endeavors.

Graduates of the Developmental Psychology program are well-prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, healthcare, and policy-making, or for advanced study in clinical psychology or related fields. The program frequently includes seminars, workshops, and conferences that foster professional development and networking within the psychological community. Overall, the program aims to produce scholars and practitioners who are equipped to improve understanding of developmental processes and contribute to enhancing well-being across the lifespan.