Degree Information & Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The 75-point course of study has four components:
• Breadth Requirement. Students choose four courses, with at least one chosen from each of the following areas: Biological Basis of Behavior, Cognitive Basis of Behavior, Social/Cultural Factors and Individual Differences, and Measurement.
• Doctoral Requirements. Students are required to take advanced courses in Developmental Psychology as well as proseminar (HUDK 6620, Special topics in developmental psychology).
• Methodology. All students are required to take the four-course statistics sequence. Students are required to take a special certification examination in research methodology. Students, in consultation with their advisor, should also enroll in the necessary advanced coursework to prepare for both the certification examination and their own research work.
• Qualifying Paper. Students are required to write both a theoretical and an empirical paper to qualify for dissertation status.
Core Courses (12 points): Usually taken during the first year of study:
• HUDK 6010 Developmental research methods (3)
• HUDK 6520 Seminar in social and emotional development through childhood and adolescence (3)
• HUDK 6523 Seminar in cognitive development (3)
• HUDK 6529 Seminar in risk, resilience, and developmental psychology (3)
Specialized Courses (Approximately 21 points): Selected in consultation with an advisor.
Methodology Courses (12 points): Beginning in first year of study:
• HUDM 4122 Probability and statistical inference (3)
• HUDM 5122 Applied regression analysis (3)
• HUDM 5123 Linear models and experimental design (3)
• HUDM 6122 Multivariate analysis I (3)
Breadth Courses: (One course in each area for a minimum of 2 points each; total of 11-12 points):
1. Biological Basis of Behavior
• BBS 5068 Brain and behavior I (1-2)
• BBS 5069 Brain and behavior II (1-2)
• MSTC 5000 Neuro-cognitive models of information processing (1-3)
2. Cognitive Basis of Behavior
• HUDK 4015 Psychology of thinking (2-3)
• HUDK 4029 Human cognition and learning (3)
• HUDK 5023 Cognitive development (3)
• HUDK 5024 Language development (2-3)
• HUDK 5025 Spatial thinking (3)
• HUDK 5030 Visual explanations (3)
• HUDK 5090 Psychology of language and reading (2-3)
• CCPX 5020 Emotion, culture, and health (3)
• HBSK 5096 The psychology of memory (3)
3. Social Cultural Factors and Individual Differences
• HUDK 5029 Personality development and socialization across the lifespan (2-3)
• HUDK 5040 Development and psychopathology: Atypical contexts and populations (2-3)
• HUDK 5121 Personality development and socialization in childhood (2-3)
• HUDK 5125 Cross-cultural developmental psychology (2-3)
• HUDK 6036 Child and family policy I (3)
• HBSK 5031 Family as a context for child development (3)
• ORLJ 5017 Small group intervention: Theory and method (2-3)
• ORLJ 5106 Psychological aspects of organizations (2-3)
• ORLJ 5540 Proseminar in social and organizational psychology (3)
4. Measurement
• HUDM 5059 Psychological measurement (3)
• HUDM 6051 Psychometric theory I (3)
• HUDM 6055 Latent structure analysis (3)
Proseminar Requirement (6 points): Taken over four semesters:
• HUDK 6620 Special topics in developmental psychology (1-3)
Non-departmental Courses (Minimum of 8 points):
At least three courses outside the department selected in consultation with an advisor.
Other Requirements:
• HUDK 6901 Advanced research and independent study (1-3 points)
• HUDK 7501 Dissertation seminar (1-3 points)
• Service as a teaching assistant for two Master’s-level Developmental Psychology courses
• Supervision of Master’s student’s special projects
• Enrollment in research practica
• Successful completion of certification examination
• Approved theoretical paper (concomitant with enrollment in HUDK 6901)
• Approved empirical paper
• Approved doctoral dissertation
