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What Is Developmental Psychology?
Developmental psychology is the study of human growth and development. This may include physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and social changes and milestones. By studying these developmental changes, psychologists can have a better understanding of how people change and grow during different stages of their lives.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Developmental Psychologist?
Anyone interested in a developmental psychology career must earn a four yearBachelor’s degree in psychologyat an accredited university. To start their careers, however, more advanced degrees are usually necessary.
Below is the complete educational path for the Psychologists:Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
Psychologist Educational TrackSchool ProgramsAverage Education LengthChoosing Online or Campus1.Earn a Bachelor’s DegreeView Programs4 YearsOnlineorCampus2.Earn A Master’s DegreeView Programs2 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus3.Earn a PHD or PsyDView Programs2-4 Additional YearsOnlineorCampus
A number of schools across the country offerMaster’s degree programsandDoctoral degree programsin developmental psychology. Students will typically have the choice of earning Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in developmental psychology. A person in treating of counseling patients with certain developmental disorders should consider earning PsyD’s. Those interested in conducting research in the field of developmental psychology, however, should consider earning PhD’s.
If you are serious about possibly becoming a developmental psychologist learn more about programs in your area that offer these degrees in ourFind a School section.
Why Do We Need Developmental Psychology?
Developmental psychology helps us understand how a person grows, ages, and develops during different stages in his life. Understanding this allows us to live our lives to the fullest potential possible.
What Does a Developmental Psychologist Do?
A developmental psychologist will usually specialize in certain ages and stages during people’s lives. For instance, a developmental psychologist might focus on childhood development, or he may focus on the Golden Years in a person’s life.
The duties and responsibilities of a developmental psychologist will often vary, depending on his specialty. A professional specializing in childhood development, for example, may evaluate children to determine whether or not they have developmental disabilities. On the other hand, a developmental psychologist specializing in older adults may try to find ways that make it easier for elderly people to live more independently.
Where Do Developmental Psychologists Work?
Pursuing a developmental psychology career may seem daunting at first, but there are a number of places that hire these professionals.
Developmental psychologists often work in schools and learning centers, for instance, along with children’s homes. Hospitals and mental health facilities often work with developmental psychologists as well, as do nursing and retirement homes.
Universities and other educational institutes also hire developmental psychologists to perform research and teach. Some government agencies and research facilities also work with these professionals.
What Is the Median Salary for a Developmental Psychologist?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track data for developmental psychologists specifically, but they generally fall under the psychologists (all other) category. As of May 2022, the median annual wage for this group is$106,420.
Influential Developmental PsychologistsJean Jacques Rousseaustated that children go through a few distinct stages as they grow from birth to adulthood.Jean Piagetwas one of the most influential professionals in the field of developmental psychology. He theorized that humans go through four main stages in their life time: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage.
Additional Resources and Further Reading
Division 7: Developmental PsychologyEuropean Association of Developmental PsychologyFreeVideoLectures.com - UC Berkeley: Developmental PsychologyYouTube.com - What is Developmental Psychology?2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forpsychologists (all other)are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forpsychologists (all other)are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.
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