- The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
- BS in Elementary Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education (K- Age 21)
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program (Semester)
- BS in Early Childhood Studies
- MS in Developmental Psychology
- MS in Early Childhood Studies (Semester)
- MS in Education (Semester)
- MS in Health Education and Promotion
- MS in Higher Education (Semester)
- MS in Instructional Design and Technology (Semester)
- MS in Psychology
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Early Childhood Education
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Administration and Leadership
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Technology
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Learning, Instruction, and Innovation
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Reading, Literacy, and Assessment
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Special Education
- Doctor of Education (EdD)
- PhD in Developmental Psychology
- PhD in Education
- PhD in Health Education and Promotion
- BS in Child Development
- MS in Instructional Design and Technology (Quarter)
- MS in Education (Quarter)
- Education Specialist (EdS) in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program (Quarter)
- MS in Early Childhood Studies
- MS in Higher Education (Quarter)
Doctoral education in Developmental Psychology is the next logical, broad specialization that Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences offers. Students interested in human growth and development across the lifespan are provided a doctoral level education in the PhD in Developmental Psychology program. The focus of the PhD in Developmental Psychology program will be on topics including the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, health, and cultural aspects of human development across the lifespan. Students will develop the professional skills needed for nonclinical academic, research, or professional careers. In the PhD in Developmental Psychology program, eight specializations offer students the opportunity to focus their studies: (1) General; (2) Administration and Leadership; (3) Child and Adolescent Development; (4) Health and Human Development; (5) International Perspectives in Developmental Psychology; (6) Research; (7)Teaching; and (8) Self-designed specialization. The doctoral program includes more research- and teaching-focused courses to add to the more practice-focused MS in Developmental Psychology program. Students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in developmental psychology to promote positive social change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities through teaching, research, and practice.
Note on Licensure
The PhD in Developmental Psychology program is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the PhD in Developmental Psychology program, students will be able to:
- Synthesize developmental psychology theory and research in the physical, cognitive, emotional, health, social, and cultural aspects of human lifespan development.
- Articulate the history of developmental psychology and how the specialty of developmental psychology is unique.
- Develop an identity as a developmental psychologist.
- 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.
- Produce independent scholarly research utilizing basic and advanced research methods.
- Apply theory and research in the practice of a developmental psychologist.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply results of evidence-based developmental psychology research in various institutions and organizations concerned with issues impacting human development.
- Describe experiences and perspectives of diverse populations (including but not limited to race, culture, socioeconomics, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disability) from a developmental psychology perspective.
- Apply relevant ethical codes (e.g., APA) in developmental psychology research practice and work settings.
- Discuss how social/political issues, policies, and events impact the field of developmental psychology.
- Engage in professional activities related to developmental psychology that promote positive social change.
Specializations
Changing specializations may increase a student’s expected time-to-degree completion and cost.
Tracks
There are two tracks in the PhD in Developmental Psychology
- Track 1 For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology or Related Field
- Track 2 For Those Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Another Field
Degree Requirements
Track 1:
For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology or Related Field
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundations course (3 credits)
- Core courses (25 credits)
- Research courses (10 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
Curriculum
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (25 credits)
AND
OR
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
OR
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Advanced Research Courses (10 credits)
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
Specialization Courses (15 credits)
See each specialization page for specific courses.
Residency Requirements
- Residency 1 – Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
- Residency 2 – Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course.
- Residency 3 – Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system.
- Residency 4 –Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
- Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
- Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
- Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
- an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
- a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements. NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
- Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
AND
Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence for Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology or Related Field
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | DPSY 8002 - Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology | 3 credits |
| DPSY 8121 - Development in the Digital Age | 5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2. | ||
| Quarter 2 |
DPSY 8412 - Research Foundations OR RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis (Student must complete DPSY 8412 if they have completed RSCH 8210 and RSCH 8310 at Walden or another institution.) |
5 credits |
| DPSY 8227 - Language and Cognitive Development | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 | RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8228 - Social and Emotional Development | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 | RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course. | ||
| Quarter 5 | Specialization Course* | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8700 - Literature Review | 2 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
| Quarter 6 | Specialization Course* | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology | 5 credits | |
|
||
| Quarter 7 | DPSY 8218 - Gender and Development | 5 credits |
| Quarter 8+ | DPSY 9000 - Dissertation ** | 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. | ||
* See each specialization page for specific courses for that specialization.
** Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Track 2:
For Those Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Another Field
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundations course (3 credits)
- Core courses (40 credits)
- Research courses (25 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
Curriculum
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (40 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
Research Courses (25 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
Specialization Courses (15 credits)
See each specialization page for specific courses.
Residency Requirements
- Residency 1 – Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
- Residency 2 – Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310).
- Residency 3 – Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system.
- Residency 4 –Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
- Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
- Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
- Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
- Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
- an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
- a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements. NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
- Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during DPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
AND
Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence for Students Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Another Field
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | DPSY 8002 - Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology | 3 credits |
| DPSY 8111 - Themes and Theories of Developmental Psychology | 5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2. | ||
| Quarter 2 | DPSY 8215 - Lifespan Development | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8245 - Social Psychology | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 | RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8701 - Culture and Psychology | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 | RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8121 - Development in the Digital Age | 5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310). | ||
| Quarter 5 | RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8218 - Gender and Development | 5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
| Quarter 6 | RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8227 - Language and Cognitive Development | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 7 | RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | 5 credits |
| DPSY 8228 - Social and Emotional Development | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 8 | DPSY 8700 - Literature Review | 2 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 9 | DPSY 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology | 5 credits |
|
Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
||
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 10 | Specialization Course* | 5 credits |
| Quarter 10+ | DPSY 9000 - Dissertation ** | 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during DPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. | ||
* See each specialization page for the specific courses for that specialization.
** Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)
Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.
- Students are eligible to apply for this credential while continuing their PhD program once they have completed:
- All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
- All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
- All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
- Program prospectus development course
- Residencies 1, 2, and 3
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
- The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.
8-Year Maximum Time Frame
In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.
Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.