Department Website
Program Description
The PhD program in Developmental Psychology emphasizes intersections among biology, culture, and context in developmental processes across areas of social, cognitive, language, and emotional development. Students apply a variety of methods (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, observational, semi-structured interviews) to the study of individual and environmental influences on the development of infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents at multiple, nested levels. Students take classes in developmental content areas and analytic methods and research, and advanced seminars on theories of change and theories of culture. Students engage in community and/or laboratory-based research for the entire length of their studies under the supervision of primary and secondary faculty mentors. Research is conducted in laboratories at New York University and the homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, and community settings of the multi-ethnic and richly diverse city of New York. Additionally, international research is a cornerstone of the program, with faculty and students engaged in studying developmental processes and contextual influences across countries such as China, India, South Africa, Korea, and Peru, and with affiliated global faculty at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi campuses.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Students take 39–51 credits depending on previous coursework and degrees. Academic offerings and requirements include the following:
- Courses in the foundational areas of psychology (e.g., developmental, social, personality, cognitive, learning, experimental, historical, neuropsychology)
- Courses in developmental psychology (e.g., cognitive, emotional, social, language, perceptual)
- Advanced content seminars in human development
- Sequences in research designs, methods, and statistics
- Active research involvement and attendance at weekly research colloquia
- Completion of a data-based dissertation
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| APSY-GE 3009 | Departmental Seminar: Theories of Change in Applied Psychology | 3 |
| APSY-GE 3021 | Developmental Research Seminar: Theories of Culture & Context | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2055 | Child Language Development | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2097 | Social and Emotional Development | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2115 | Psychological Research in Infancy | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2198 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2836 | The Development of African American Children | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2272 | Adolescent Development: Theory and Research | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2527 | The Development of Immigrant Origin Youth | 3 |
| APSY-GE 2073 | Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I | 3 |
| |
| APSY-GE 3020 | Research Practicum in Developmental Psychology (3 credits per year for 2-3 years) | 3 |
| APSY-GE 3023 | The Developmental Psychology Seminar: Current Topics in Developmental Science | 0 |
| Total Credits | 51 |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate ethical skills, social skills of engagement, and organizational and time management skills as a professional in the field of Developmental Psychology through diligence, responsibility, effective time management and completion of projects, and interactions with peers, advisors, scientists, community stakeholders, and leaders in the field.
- Demonstrate research expertise in an area of study and advance the field of Developmental Psychology through dissemination of research findings in scholarly publications and at national and international conferences.
- Demonstrate expertise using multiple research tools, methods, designs, and analytic approaches for addressing issues around developmental change in context.
Policies
STEM OPT Benefits for International Students
If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.