Online and Distance Learning

A PhD developmental psychology program will prepare you for a range of interesting careers as a developmental psychologist.

The study of developmental psychology degree can be taken from a broad range of topics relating to the changes that occur throughout human life, i.e., in infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.  How these changes are studied will depend on whether the underlying theory is cognitive development psychology or social development psychology.

In order to enrol in a PhD program, you will need to have completed a relevant Masters first, such as a developmental psychology masters.

This page will help you to locate and find out more about studying suitable programs. It also has details of the career and salary prospects for graduates of the proram.

This page has links mostly to schools for students who wish to study online.  If you wish to explore the on campus options, go to the on campus programs page.

Which schools offer PhD developmental psychology programs online?

The following list shows the recommended schools for a PhD psychology degree relevant to human development:

• Capella University
  • PhD - Educational Psychology

• Walden University
  
  • PhD in Psychology - General Educational Psychology

• Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page.

• Search for PhD developmental psychology programs.

Check the other specializations on this site for schools and programs of possible interest.  You can also find more programs using the search box in the right-hand column.

Other specializations of relevance

You may find it useful to consider the programs available in the following areas:

• clinical psychology;
• counseling psychology;
• educational psychology;
• general psychology;

Other schools and programs can be found by using the search box.

What do you study?

A developmental psychology doctorate can cover any of the cognitive, motivational, psychophysiological, and social functioning changes that occur throughout life.  So students might take postgraduate courses psychology about infants and children, or adolescents, or adults, or the elderly.  Also, there are other specializations dependent on the approach taken such as cognitive development psychology or social development psychology.

In a PhD you can focus your study in an area that suits your professional interests, e.g., developmental science, instructional design, or teaching science.  You may be required to attend some residential workshops during your program.

What jobs do graduates get?

One can find developmental psychologists in management jobs or specialist positions in education, training, testing, or research.  With a doctorate it is possible to obtain faculty positions at universities and community colleges.

With a PhD child psychology or related degree, in a job as a school psychologist you could expect a salary of about US$52,000 (PayScales.com).

For more schools and programs