Everything you need to know about studying a PhD in Developmental Psychology

What is Developmental Psychology?

Developmental Psychology is a fascinating field that explores how and why people change over time. It focuses on understanding the psychological changes that occur from childhood to old age, including the way people think, feel, and behave.

Developmental Psychology Specialisations

The most common specialisation in Developmental Psychology is Child Psychology, but there are other popular areas too. These include:

• Adolescent Psychology;
• Gerontology (Aging);
• Cognitive Development;
• Social Development.

These specialisations are often explored in-depth during Master’s degree programmes, although some Bachelor’s courses may also offer introductory modules.

What will you learn during a Developmental Psychology programme?

Developmental Psychology is a good degree to pursue if you're interested in understanding the complexities of human development. You'll delve into topics like cognitive development, social and emotional growth, the impact of environmental factors on development, language acquisition, and personality development. You'll also learn about the impact of genetic and environmental factors on human development. The skills you can get from Developmental Psychology courses are diverse and valuable:

• critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• research and data analysis skills;
• communication and interpersonal skills;
• understanding of human behaviour and development;
• ethical decision-making skills.

Common courses in Developmental Psychology programmes include:

• Child Development: you explore how we learn to speak, how we develop our identity, and other emotional, physical, and psychical topics.
• Adolescent Development: covers issues related to puberty, and the social and cultural contexts of adolescent development.
• Developmental Psychopathology: focuses on understanding the origins of psychological disorders. It explores topics like ADHD, autism, anxiety disorders, and depression.

These skills are not only applicable to psychology but also transferable to many other fields, such as Education, Policy making or Social Services, making Developmental Psychology a versatile and valuable degree.

Skills required for a degree in Developmental Psychology

To excel in a Developmental Psychology degree, you'll need a strong interest in human behaviour and a keen desire to understand how people change over time. Good research skills, patience, empathy, and excellent communication abilities are also crucial. The Developmental Psychology degree requirements often include a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field, with some programs requiring previous coursework in statistics or research methods.

What can you do with a degree in Developmental Psychology?

With a degree in Developmental Psychology, a world of rewarding jobs opens up to you. For Bachelor's degree holders, roles such as a behavioural therapist or a social service specialist are common. With a Master's degree, you can pursue more specialised roles like a child psychologist or gerontologist.

Here are some jobs you can get with a Developmental Psychology degree:

• Child Psychologist;
• School Counsellor;
• Gerontologist;
• Developmental Psychologist;
• Behavioural Therapist;
• Research Analyst.

So, is a Developmental Psychology degree worth it? Absolutely! Whether you're interested in a career as a child psychologist, the most common specialisation in Developmental Psychology, or another area, this degree can lead to fulfilling and impactful careers.

View all PhDs in Developmental Psychology. Keep in mind you can also study an online PhDs in Developmental Psychology.