PhD in Developmental Psychology

Drive positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.

Why You Should Choose Walden’s Online PhD in Developmental Psychology Program:

  • Be confident in your diploma. Walden is one of the top conferrers of doctoral degrees in psychology, which means you’ll join a diverse cohort of peers in your program of choice.
  • Engage in purposeful programs. Choose from among eight areas of PhD specialization that can fit your career plan and expand your professional passions.
  • Choose your learning track. Select the program pathway that best aligns with your previous education. You may also opt to accelerate your degree with Fast Track.
  • Get expert guidance. Track your milestones, meet your weekly program targets, connect with faculty, and find the right support at the right time with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
  • Put learning into practice. Broaden your knowledge, collaborate with faculty and peers, and shape your professional identity during virtual and in-person academic residencies.

Fast Facts

Next Start Date: April 8, 2024

Transfer Credits: Up to 53 credits

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Academic Interests
Contact Information

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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.

Students with an MPA from Walden may transfer up to 15 credits to the DPA program.

 
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 888-970-0584

Why earn your PhD in Developmental Psychology at Walden?

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

Ginger Jenkins '19 '13 '11 | PhD in Psychology, MS in Forensic Psychology, BS in Psychology

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. 

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/.