Department of Psychology
Department of Psychology

Recommendations for a Sequence of Developmental Psychology Courses

The curriculum for the Psychology Major includes courses that concentrate on developmental psychology, including infant, child, adolescent, and lifespan development. The field of Developmental Psychology draws from all of the other sub-fields of Psychology, such as Cognitive, Social, Neuroscience, etc., and makes use of all of their techniques. We strongly recommend that students participate in undergraduate research experiences whenever possible.

Potential career paths of Psychology majors who pursue coursework in developmental psychology include: Psychologist (Clinical, Counseling, Forensic, School, and others); Researcher (Academic and non-academic); Health (pediatrician, nurse, physician assistant, OT, PT, pharmacist, dentist, and others); Education (teacher, special educator, administrator, school psychologist, speech therapist, OT, and others); Social Work; Law; Child and Family Policy; and others.

The list of courses, and the 4-year sequence of enrollment below are provided as guidance. While some courses are taught almost every year, others are offered less frequently. In addition to the core developmental psychology courses, there are a number of related courses that might be relevant to those with specific interest in developmental psychology, and these are also listed below.

Sequence of Developmental Psychology Courses (PDF)

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REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

To earn a BA in Psychology, students must complete 34 credits in PSYC courses, including at least one course from Introductory courses in Pillar I, II, III, and IV. Research Methods (PSYC 2005 and PSYC3006), 4 courses at the 3000-level or higher (including 1 at the 4000- or 5000-level). The remainder of credits can be completed by enrolling to any other PSYC courses.

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INTRODUCTORY COURSES

These may also satisfy the Introductory Course requirements for the Major.):

  • PSYC 2700  Introduction to Child Psychology (possibly including 1-unit discussion)
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MID-LEVEL COURSES

At least one is recommended.

  • PSYC 3235  Introduction to Epigenetics
  • PSYC 3435  Educational Psychology
  • PSYC 3440  Child Psychopathology
  • PSYC 3460  Psychological Study of Children, Families, and the Law
  • PSYC 3480  Adolescence: Theory and Development
  • PSYC 3490  Infant Development
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SEMINAR COURSES

  • PSYC 4130  Risk and Resilience Among Marginalized Adolescents
  • PSYC 4255  Behavioral Epigenetics
  • PSYC 4330  Topics in Child Development
  • PSYC 4600  Attachment and Social Development
  • PSYC 4604  Family Relations
  • PSYC 4870  The Minority Family: A Psychological Inquiry
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UPPER LEVEL SEMINARS / GRADUATE COURSES

  • PSYC 5305  Moral Development
  • PSYC 5320  Theories of Cognitive Development
  • PSYC 5559  The Social Brain in Infancy
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ADDITIONAL COURSES RELEVANT TO DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

  • PSYC 3485/3495  Science & Lived Experience of Autism I and II
  • PSYC 4105  Cognitive Psychology and American Education
  • PSYC 4155  Autism: From Neurons to Neighborhoods
  • PSYC 4603  Psychology of Sexual Orientation
  • PSYC 5328  Cognitive Aging
  • PSYC 5355  Neurobiology of Speech and Language
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RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT TRACK

YEAR 1

  • PSYC 2700
  • Pillars I and II Psychology courses; Other College Requirements

YEAR 2

  • PSYC2005 and PSYC3006
  • 3000-level developmental courses
  • Research in Developmental Psychology

YEAR 3

  • At least one 4000-level seminar in developmental psychology

YEAR 4

  • 4000+ seminars in developmental and/or related areas
  • Distinguished Majors