The mission of the PhD in Developmental Psychology is to provide you with a strong foundation in developmental theories along with the research skills required to advance the science on development in context.
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Degree Details
Official Degree Title
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Format
Full-time
Credits
39-51
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadline
- Degree Components
- What You’ll Learn
- Careers and Outcomes
- Program Benefits for International Students
Our Developmental Psychology doctorate emphasizes intersections among biology, culture, and context in developmental processes across areas of social, cognitive, language, and emotional development. You will 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. You will be required to take classes in developmental content areas and analytic methods and research, and advanced seminars on theories of change and theories of culture.
You’ll engage in community- and/or laboratory-based research for the entire length of your studies under the supervision of primary and secondary faculty mentors. We conduct our research in laboratories at New York University and in the homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, and community settings of the multiethnic 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. We work closely with our affiliated global faculty at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi.
What expertise do doctoral students acquire in the Developmental Psychology doctorate?
- A strong foundation of knowledge on domains of development (e.g., social, cognitive, emotional, language) and how research methods and theories can be applied to current issues in developmental science.
- The ability to think critically and creatively about the ways that research on development, context, and culture advances theories and knowledge of human development.
- The understanding and skills required for the application of theories and knowledge in developmental science to the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions, programs, and institutions that serve children and families.
- Expertise in the use of multiple methods and research designs—including longitudinal, survey research, experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, ethnographic, narrative, and case study methods—and the application of a range of statistical tools in the analysis of findings.
- The ability to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge to scholarly and community audiences and to be a productive member of a community of scholars.
We demonstrate extraordinary success in placing our students in postdoctoral fellowships, academic positions, and research and policy organizations immediately upon graduation, with placements occurring in the final year of study.
More specifically, over 90% of our graduates continue to engage in cutting-edge research in developmental science through traditional academic and research tracks. The remaining minority of students pursue work in related fields, including NGOs (such as Promundo) and nonprofit foundations and community agencies (including leading Head Start and Early Head Start programs).
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 our 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.
Information Session
Join us for an online information session to learn about applying to the
doctoral programs in Applied Psychology.
Date: Wednesday, October 28
Time: 6-7:30pm EST
Admissions Fall 2021
Please note, the GRE is optional for applications for Fall 2021 admission.
Funding
NYU Steinhardt offers a competitive funding package for PhD students who study full time. Learn more about Steinhardt's funding opportunities.
NYU's IES-PIRT Program is committed to strengthening the pipeline of skilled researchers prepared to conduct rigorous and relevant education research. Qualified incoming PhD students may apply for a 4-year fellowship that includes a generous stipend, tuition coverage, and other benefits. Upon completion of the training, fellows are awarded an Education Sciences Certificate. Learn more about IES-PIRT.
The NYU Abu Dhabi Global PhD Student Fellowship is offered in the areas of Cognitive & Perception and Social Psychology in collaboration with the NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science, and in the areas of Applied Psychology through NYU Steinhardt. The program generally involves one to two years of classwork at NYU New York, followed by three to four years of research at NYU Abu Dhabi. If selected, the doctorate is fully funded under the NYU Abu Dhabi Global PhD Student Fellowship for the entirety of the program. NYU Abu Dhabi Fellows have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated neuroimaging lab, and the opportunity to work closely with psychology faculty members, who are engaged in cutting-edge research across a broad range of topics in perception, social, social-developmental, cognitive, and cognitive-developmental psychology. Learn more about the NYUAD Fellowship.
Questions
If you have questions regarding admission requirements, please review our "How to Apply" page.
If you have any additional questions that are not addressed in the "How to Apply" page, please contact us at applied.psychology@nyu.edu.