Developmental psychology is dedicated to helping people transition from one stage of life to another, such as childhood to adolescence or adolescence to adulthood. Developmental psychologists address the personal, social, and physiological factors associated with each phase of the human lifespan.
While most developmental psychology degrees focus on issues related to childhood, some prefer to work with adults. This guide explores some options for developmental psychology education.
Degrees in Developmental Psychology
In most states, you must earn a developmental psychology doctorate, pass an exam, and complete two years of supervised practice to get licensure.
Most candidates get started by earning a developmental psychology bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in general psychology, child psychology, or another related field.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Developmental Psychology
A developmental psychology bachelor’s degree includes classes in:
- Foundational psychology
- Infant and child psychology
- Adolescent psychology
- Developmental phases
- Language acquisition
- Neurobiology
- Cognitive psychology
- Family dynamics
- Psychological research methods, with a focus on studying children
- Psychological assessment tools
In general, a bachelor of arts degree emphasizes theory, while a bachelor of science degree focuses on practicing psychology. Both provide the academic foundation needed to pursue a developmental psychology master’s degree.
Many bachelor’s programs are also available online.
Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology
Students in a developmental psychology master’s program take advanced classes and perform fieldwork under a licensed psychologist’s supervision. A master of science degree prepares learners for clinical practice, while a master of arts emphasizes research. Both include courses in research and psychological assessment and treatments.
While master’s-level coursework explores every phase of human development, graduate students may choose to specialize in a particular client base, age group, or type of developmental challenge.
Some schools expect candidates to provide their GRE scores when applying to a developmental psychology master’s program. However, others do not request scores or waive the GRE requirement for qualified applicants.
Featured Online Psychology Bachelor’s Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Doctorates in Developmental Psychology
The doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology are terminal developmental psychology degrees. A Ph.D. is typically best for candidates who want to focus on research and teaching, while a Psy.D. emphasizes clinical practice. Both degrees qualify graduates for licensure.
Students pursuing a developmental psychology doctorate take advanced courses in psychological research methods and clinical practice. They also perform original research, compose a doctoral thesis, and complete a one-year internship.
Most candidates graduate in 4-6 years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Developmental Psychology
What’s the difference between developmental and child psychology?
Developmental psychology focuses on transitions throughout the human lifespan, including adulthood, although many programs emphasize childhood development. Child psychology focuses exclusively on children and covers a broader span of topics.
How much do developmental psychologists make?
The median annual salary for psychologists, in general, is $105,780, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your salary potential depends on your workplace, specialty, geographic region, and other factors.
Do I have to have a license to be a developmental psychologist?
You must be licensed if you wish to practice as a clinical psychologist. However, you can use a developmental psychology degree to find jobs in other fields, including school administration, counseling, or therapy.
What Does a Developmental Psychologist Do?
Development psychologists work with clients who are experiencing challenges during important life transitions. Most specialize in a particular type of development or life stage.
For example, a developmental psychologist might work primarily with infants who struggle to bond with their parents, toddlers who are slow to develop speech, or adolescents facing challenges related to physical or psychological maturation.
They conduct tests and assess patients for developmental issues, and they provide psychological interventions as needed.
What Else Can I Do With a Developmental Psychology Degree?
A developmental psychology education can lead to other career opportunities in developmental psychology such as:
- Counseling or therapy
- Social work or casework
- Education or education administration
- Early childhood programming
- Youth development organizations
- Preretirement coaching
- Assisted living for people with disabilities
While many of these positions require a developmental psychology master’s degree, some entry-level roles are open to those with an undergraduate education.
You can also use a developmental psychology bachelor’s degree as a psychologist’s aide, research assistant, or psychometrician (person who administers testing). Other graduates become consultants for toy or game developers, youth media creators, or social service and government organizations.
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What Is Developmental Psychology?
Throughout their lives, humans go through a number of developmental changes, from birth to death. These changes are usually marked by milestones, which signify a turning point of some sort in a person’s life. The majority of notable milestones occur in our childhood and adolescence, such as first words and puberty. Adults, however, also go through a number of developmental milestones as well. Some milestones in an adult’s life might include getting married and retiring.
Developmental psychology is the study of human growth and development. This may include physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and social changes and milestones. By studying these developmental changes, psychologists can have a better understanding of how people change and grow during different stages of their lives.
One of the earliest ideas in developmental psychology was presented by Jean Jacques Rousseau in the 18th century. Rousseau stated that there were three main stages of childhood. These stages were infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Later, in the 20th century, Erik Erickson expounded on this idea, and came up with distinctive stages in adulthood.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Developmental Psychologist?
Anyone interested in a developmental psychology career must earn a four year Bachelor’s degree in psychology at an accredited university. To start their careers, however, more advanced degrees are usually necessary.
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A number of schools across the country offer Master’s degree programs and Doctoral degree programs in developmental psychology. Students will typically have the choice of earning Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in developmental psychology. A person in treating of counseling patients with certain developmental disorders should consider earning PsyD’s. Those interested in conducting research in the field of developmental psychology, however, should consider earning PhD’s.
If you are serious about possibly becoming a developmental psychologist learn more about programs in your area that offer these degrees in our Find a School section.
Why Do We Need Developmental Psychology?
Developmental psychology helps us understand how a person grows, ages, and develops during different stages in his life. Understanding this allows us to live our lives to the fullest potential possible.
On average, most people develop or hit certain milestones at certain ages. By knowing what age a child is expected to hit a certain milestone, psychologists are able to tell whether he is on track or not. Babies that are not sitting up on their own by nine months of age, for instance, may not be developing properly or they may have a more serious health condition. Catching a possible problem early, however, can help parents and doctors get a child back on track to so-called normal development.
What Does a Developmental Psychologist Do?
A developmental psychologist will usually specialize in certain ages and stages during people’s lives. For instance, a developmental psychologist might focus on childhood development, or he may focus on the Golden Years in a person’s life.
The duties and responsibilities of a developmental psychologist will often vary, depending on his specialty. A professional specializing in childhood development, for example, may evaluate children to determine whether or not they have developmental disabilities. On the other hand, a developmental psychologist specializing in older adults may try to find ways that make it easier for elderly people to live more independently.
Where Do Developmental Psychologists Work?
Pursuing a developmental psychology career may seem daunting at first, but there are a number of places that hire these professionals.
Developmental psychologists often work in schools and learning centers, for instance, along with children’s homes. Hospitals and mental health facilities often work with developmental psychologists as well, as do nursing and retirement homes.
Universities and other educational institutes also hire developmental psychologists to perform research and teach. Some government agencies and research facilities also work with these professionals.
What Is the Median Salary for a Developmental Psychologist?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), developmental psychologists who focus their careers on direct patient care earned a median salary of $78,200 as of May 2019.
Developmental psychologists working in the field of child daycare services earned the highest average salary during this time, at $120,130, followed by:
- Offices of healthcare practitioners: $100,300
- Physicians’ offices: $95,960
- Outpatient care centers: $99,870
Influential Developmental Psychologists
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Jean Jacques Rousseaustated that children go through a few distinct stages as they grow from birth to adulthood.
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Jean Piagetwas one of the most influential professionals in the field of developmental psychology. He theorized that humans go through four main stages in their life time: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage.
Additional Resources and Further Reading
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