Developmental Psychology Concentration

The concentration in developmental psychology fosters scholarship, teaching and outreach to our community, with the goal of understanding developmental processes across the lifespan.

We emphasize research and applied skills in human development with a special emphasis on development in its social context. We prepare doctoral-level students for university or college teaching and research settings or for professional work in applied settings such as primary prevention, early intervention or youth support.

Please see the VCU Bulletin for additional degree information.

Program goals

The concentration focuses on helping each student reach their own educational and career goals. Therefore, earning a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology at VCU means forging your own path.

In addition to the Department of Psychology's core curriculum and required concentration courses, you'll take a number of specialty and elective courses tailored to your own goals. You'll conduct research and engage with your community of interest, whether it's:

• Working with clinical or community populations
• Conducting research in the lab or in applied settings
• Working in academia, government, industry or school systems

You'll explore the unfolding of human behavior across time and across different environments, and engage in collaborative research that makes a difference.