If human development is your area of expertise, then you might consider positioning yourself as a leader with a PhD in Developmental Psychology. This degree can help prepare you for a career in academia, professional practice, policy development, or social services.
In this program, you’ll take classes on cognition, human behavior, growth, culture, and related topics. You’ll also prepare for a major research project.
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By the time you complete your program and all its requirements, you could have positioned yourself for advancement in this field.
Online PhD in Developmental Psychology Programs
It’s obvious from the outside that people grow and change from infancy to old age. What goes on in the mind throughout the lifespan, though?
Developmental psychologists study the changes in thoughts, intellect, socialization, emotional development, and more over the course of a person’s life. A PhD in Developmental Psychology is a terminal degree in this field. By earning this degree, you could try to position yourself as a leader who can instruct others, develop research skills, head up community programs, or advocate for beneficial policies.
In the process of working toward your PhD, you might study:
- Aging
- Behavioral science
- Cognition and memory
- Culture and society
- Group dynamics
- Developmental science
- Human growth and emotional development
- Neurobiology
- Psychopathology
You can also learn how to follow quality research methods and how to understand the results. Doctoral programs in developmental psychology often require a dissertation. For the dissertation component, you’ll conduct original research, write a substantial paper, and deliver an oral presentation.
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You may have a particular focus for your doctoral studies as well. That can be reflected in the classes you take and the research you complete in developmental science. Some students focus on working with young people. Others develop their leadership skills or become experts in mental health issues.
A PhD in this field could lead to licensure, but that’s not always the case. If you choose a licensure track, you’ll probably be required to complete an internship during your doctoral program. While an internship might need to be done in person, you may be able to fulfill your other doctoral requirements through an online program. Some students even defend their dissertations from afar.
Once you finish your PhD, you may qualify to work in schools, research organizations, healthcare facilities, government agencies, or group homes. Depending on your qualifications and your area of interest, you might provide leadership as a teacher, a program manager, a scientific researcher, or a clinical psychologist.
Common Online Developmental Psychology Doctorate Specializations
PhD students usually concentrate their studies on one specific area of developmental psychology rather than establishing a broad foundation in the field.
The specializations for developmental psychology at your graduate school might include:
- Clinical Psychopathology. To prepare for clinical psychology professional practice, you may study neurobiology, psychopathology, and assessment, and you’ll complete an internship.
- Consulting and Leadership. You’ll learn how to provide organizational leadership for social or human service agencies, and you may gain skills for guiding teams through times of transition.
- Education and Instruction. If you’re working in teaching or education, you may appreciate the way that this specialization track prepares you to apply psychology principles for more effective instruction.
- Health and Development. Health psychology will be one of the topics you study as you prepare for a career using your psychological expertise in healthcare or social service settings.
- Youth Development. Effective psychological practice with kids and teens requires being well-versed in matters related to education, human behavior, health, and lifespan growth.
You may also be able to select a generalist program in which you study developmental psychology at large rather than focusing on a specific area.
Developmental Psychology Careers & Salaries
Getting a PhD often leads to a career in academia. With this degree, you may qualify for a job as a professor who teaches psychology to college students. Working as a researcher in psychology could be another option.
This degree program could also lead to a job as a practitioner. Licensed clinical psychologists see clients in settings like hospitals, schools, community agencies, or residential facilities. If you provide counseling services, you might be known as a family therapist or a mental health counselor.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some of the career paths related to developmental psychology.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Psychologists (All Other) | $102,900 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers | $84,430 |
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | $79,510 |
| Postsecondary Psychology Teachers | $77,860 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,510 |
| Social Workers | $50,390 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $49,880 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $38,560 |
The career you end up with might depend on your previous experience or the specialization you choose for your PhD studies. Some professionals become leaders in nonprofit agencies or mental health organizations. Expertise in psychology could also be useful for program managers or agency administrators.
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Graduates may also go on to become consultants for educators, policymakers, healthcare providers, or other professionals.
Doctorate in Developmental Psychology Curriculum & Courses
You’ll take a variety of advanced psychology classes as you prepare to graduate with your PhD. They might include courses like the following:
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology: There could be a course on mental illnesses in young people and effective treatment strategies.
- Cultural Psychology: You might investigate the effects that culture has on a person’s development, thoughts, and behaviors.
- Development and Social Psychology: This class will look at how people’s self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, and social literacy grow and develop throughout their lifespan.
- Gender Studies: You’ll explore the topics of gender and sexuality in relation to psychology and human behavior, and you might also discuss gender stereotyping.
- Group Psychology: During your program, you might take a look at how group interactions influence people’s thoughts and behaviors, especially when it comes to workplace teams.
- Language and Learning: This course may look at the science of knowledge acquisition—particularly in the area of literacy—and cover topics like motivation and memory.
- Leading Change: You may learn how to apply psychological principles and research methods to effect change as a consultant or in the organization where you work.
- Psychology of Aging: You might have a class that pays attention to the unique psychological issues that apply to people in the latter half of their lifespans.
- Psychology Instruction: Since people with PhDs often pursue academic careers, you may have a class that teaches you how to be an effective instructor.
- Research in Psychology: In one or more classes, you’ll learn how to appropriately interpret psychology research, develop sound research methods, conduct your own studies, and prepare to write your dissertation.
Coursework will likely comprise only a portion of your doctoral studies. PhD programs typically include a lengthy dissertation process as well.
Admissions Requirements
PhD programs can be competitive, so it’s helpful to assemble a strong application packet. Admission requirements might include:
- Recommendation letters from academic and professional leaders
- Test score from the GRE (not required at all schools)
- Transcripts from your previous college studies
- Writing sample that discusses your plans for this field of study
Often, a masters degree is required before you can begin a doctoral program, and you may need to have earned a certain GPA.
Developmental Psychology PhD Programs Accreditation
As you’re looking for a PhD program, it’s strategic to make sure all the schools on your list hold regional accreditation. You can benefit from this designation in several ways.
For one thing, plans sometimes change. If you need to switch colleges partway through your program, regional accreditation makes it more likely that your coursework will transfer. Regional accreditation is also good for your resume. Academic institutions are sure to prefer hiring faculty members with regionally accredited degrees.
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Other employers may feel the same way. Also, if you want to apply for state psychology licensure, a regionally accredited degree is typically one of the requirements.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Many students qualify for government loans to help finance their PhD studies. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be helpful for securing both state and federal loans.
You may also receive government grants, but those are rather uncommon for PhD studies. Scholarships and fellowships are sometimes given to doctoral students. They may come from membership organizations or philanthropic groups, and these types of funds may cover your tuition or your research costs.
Many PhD programs also provide financial support to enrolled students. That might include tuition-free schooling, health insurance, and a stipend to cover living expenses. In exchange, you might be expected to participate in teaching or research responsibilities. This is very common with on-campus programs, but some online doctoral programs might offer it also.
If you keep working while attending online classes, your workplace may help with your schooling costs. Some employers contribute a set amount every semester.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Developmental Psychology?
Many professionals with a developmental psychology PhD go on to get an academic job as a psychology researcher or a college instructor. They may teach courses in general psychology or developmental psychology at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Another option might involve heading up community programs or other initiatives. For example, some graduates could become directors of mental health agencies or residential facilities. There are also multiple types of psychologists. Depending on your training, you may qualify to work as a clinical, counseling, or school psychologist.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Developmental Psychology Online?
It will probably take at least 3 years to earn your online Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. Most full-time students are able to finish a PhD program in 3 to 5 years. A growing number of programs now offer accelerated psychology degrees online in which you may be able to complete your degree faster.
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Often, the overall length of your studies depends on how long it takes to complete your dissertation. The faster you move through that process, the sooner you’ll be able to graduate. If you’d prefer to stretch out your studies, it’s helpful to pay attention to upper enrollment limits. Some colleges will give you up to 8 years to finish your PhD.
What’s the Difference Between a PhD in Child Psychology vs. Developmental Psychology?
Both child psychologists and developmental psychologists pay attention to growth and change. Here’s how the two fields compare.
| Child Psychology | Developmental Psychology |
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Whether or not you pursue a developmental or child psychology PhD program depends on your interests and preferred career path. You could also choose to get a developmental psychology PhD with a specialization in childhood and adolescence.
Is a Doctoral Degree in Developmental Psychology Worth It?
Yes, a doctoral degree in developmental psychology is worth it for many students. A PhD is a requirement for many academic positions. If you want to become a professor of psychology, colleges may require you to hold this degree. Also, a PhD may help qualify you for other leadership positions.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists will experience a 10% growth rate over the next ten years. Social and community service managers will likely see 15% job growth over the same period.
Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Developmental Psychology Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Capella University’s online PhD in Developmental Psychology program requires the completion of 85 coursework credits, and students may transfer in up to 24 qualifying credits.
Students may take 1 to 3 classes per 10 week semester. To graduate, they must complete 7 core courses and 9 specialized courses and pass a comprehensive exam. The program allows students to customize their education to fit their personal career goals.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Lesley University offers a low-residency program for a PhD in Educational Studies, Human Development, and Learning. To graduate, students must complete 45 credits and a doctoral seminar that goes along with their dissertation. Students are required to attend 3 residencies. Each one takes place during the summer and is 9 days long. Most students take six credits per semester and begin their dissertation during the third year.
Lesley University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Liberty University offers a completely online program for a PhD in Developmental Psychology. The program requires 60 credit hours and usually takes about 3 years to finish. Classes are completely online, and each one is 8 weeks long. Online students have the option to attend on-campus intensives as well.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Saybrook University offers an online program for a PhD in Clinical Psychology. To graduate, students must complete 105 to 108 credits. It usually takes at least 5 years to complete the program.
Students are required to attend a few residential conferences throughout the program. Only some states will accept this PhD for licensure, and students must meet their state requirements as well. Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree to apply.
Saybrook University is accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Sofia University’s PhD in Transpersonal Psychology program requires the completion of 75 units and can typically be finished in 3 years. There are twice-yearly seminars and the opportunity for community praxis. Students can choose between four different concentrations that lead to a variety of careers. They may start classes during fall, winter, spring, or summer.
Sofia University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Touro University Worldwide offers a PhD in Human and Organizational Psychology. Courses are entirely online, and each one is 8 weeks long. The program requires the completion of 66 credits, and students can typically finish it in about 3 years. It doesn’t require a residency. GRE scores are not needed to apply. The program offers 6 different start dates each year.
Touro University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Colorado—Denver offers a PhD in Family Science and Human Development. The program is designed to prepare students to work with children and families, especially those living in areas with few resources. To graduate, students must complete 48 credits of coursework and 27 credits of dissertation work. Some of the courses are online, while others are on campus.
CU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill offers a PhD in Education. Students may choose from 4 concentrations, including Applied Developmental Sciences and Special Education and Learning Sciences and Psychological Studies.
The other two concentration options are Policy, Leadership, and School Improvement and Culture, Curriculum, and Teacher Education. Each concentration has different credit hour requirements, and most take 4 to 6 years to complete.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Rochester offers a PhD and an EdD in Human Development. Both programs allow students to customize their education to help them reach their career goals. The PhD requires a 1 year residency. To graduate, students must complete 90 graduate credits, and they may transfer in up to 36 qualifying credits. They have the option of attending full-time or part-time.
The University of Rochester is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Walden University offers an online program for a PhD in Developmental Psychology. There are two track options: one for candidates with master’s degrees in developmental psychology or psychology and one for those with master’s degrees in other fields. Completion of the program’s coursework, aside from the dissertation, qualifies students for a Master’s in Philosophy.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your PhD in Developmental Psychology Online
A PhD in Developmental Psychology can give you the opportunity to rise to the top of the field. Professionals with this advanced degree might work as professors, researchers, or community leaders.
Many accredited schools also have online developmental psychology doctoral programs available. Much like with online masters in developmental psychology programs, an online doctoral programs will provide the same training and experience that you’d get in an on-campus program. This can be a strategic choice for busy professionals because you can complete the program with more scheduling flexibility.
If you’re ready to advance in this lucrative field, you can check out accredited doctoral programs and start considering where to earn your PhD in Developmental Psychology.
