Overview

The Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology program at Boston College focuses on development and learning in sociocultural context. Areas of program expertise within the study of child development and child functioning include cognitive and socioemotional development from the preschool years through adolescence.

We also have expertise in adult functioning in community settings. Development is examined, in both research and curriculum, across multiple, interactive contexts or levels.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Ph.D. program, graduates should be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and theories in the fields of child development and learning, with a focus on socio-cultural context
Critically evaluate existing research and integrate research findings across studies
Analyze applied and theoretical issues related to child development and learning from different theoretical perspectives and based on prior research findings
Develop research questions reflecting basic and applied issues in the areas of education, social policy and human/community development
Use appropriate methodology to design empirical studies addressing research questions
Use a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques for analyzing data
Communicate research findings clearly and accurately in publications and presentations for both professional and lay audiences
Teach courses in the field at the college and graduate level

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Proseminar in Current Issues in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cultural Processes, Social, and Emotional Development
Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
Sociocultural Contexts of Development
Advanced Topics in Applied Cognitive Psychology
Quantitative Research Design in Counseling and Developmental Psychology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7.5

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Duolingo English Test

130

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Credits

54 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Psychology Educational Psychology View 90 other PhDs in Educational Psychology in United States

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

IELTS

7.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Other requirements

General requirements

Application Form & Fee
University/college transcripts are required from all post-secondary education institutions attended.
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Statement & Resume
English Language Proficiency
Writing Sample

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

19051 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 1764 USD per credit during 60 months.
National

19051 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 1764 USD per credit during 60 months.
In-State

19051 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 1764 USD per credit during 60 months.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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