PhD in Developmental Psychology in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

Our PhD program in developmental psychology equips students for academic careers that blend research and teaching at higher education institutions. The curriculum offers comprehensive training in theoretical frameworks and research methodologies essential for advanced scholarship. Students engage in rigorous research, coursework, and teaching opportunities within the field of psychology.
The program emphasizes both typical and atypical development across childhood and adolescence. With its intimate cohort size, the developmental psychology program creates a tight-knit, nurturing community where each student receives personalized guidance. We follow a junior colleague mentorship approach, treating graduate students as valued, contributing members of our academic community.
Students are empowered to cultivate their unique scholarly identities. The training balances mastery of core scientific competencies within faculty expertise areas with opportunities to pursue individualized research paths. This development occurs through close collaboration and frequent intellectual exchange with faculty mentors.
All psychology doctoral candidates must complete quantitative methods coursework, take one class in each of the other two psychology disciplines, and fulfill at least one semester of teaching assistant responsibilities.