5 Reasons to Get a PhD in Developmental Psychology

From clinical psychology to social psychology, there’s a wide range of specializations to choose from when pursuing a doctorate in psychology. If you’re especially interested in human psychological growth and development, you may be considering a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in developmental psychology.

What you may not be aware of, however, is the option to earn a PhD in Developmental Psychology. This specialty degree will allow you to devote your entire doctoral education to developmental psychology versus just a portion of it.

The benefits of a PhD in Developmental Psychology

There’s no shortage of benefits when it comes to a doctoral degree completely devoted to what you’re most passionate about. Here are five reasons why a PhD in Developmental Psychology might better suit your needs than a PhD in Psychology with a developmental specialization.

• You’ll learn from renowned experts.
  PhD in Developmental Psychology and the PhD in Psychology programs provide an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field who are not only current in the newest advancements, but are applying them in real-world settings.
• You’ll dive deeper into the field.
  A general PhD in Psychology with a specialization in developmental psychology typically provides students with a limited number of introductory courses that only scratch the surface of the discipline. Specialized PhD programs allow students to completely immerse themselves in the field with comprehensive curriculum.
• You’ll follow your passion.
  Many campus-based and online universities with PhD in Developmental Psychology degree programs feature a number of their own specializations to choose from. This enables students to focus on what they’re most passionate about.
• You’ll develop an identity as a developmental psychologist.
  By focusing all of your doctoral studies on developmental psychology, you’ll not only become an expert in the field, you’ll graduate as a developmental psychologist, publishing as one and practicing as one when you complete your degree.
• You’ll produce independent scholarly research in this field.
  A requirement for your doctoral degree will be to produce independent scholarly research in the form of a dissertation. As a student in a specialized developmental psychology PhD program, your dissertation will make a direct contribution to the field.

Career choices for psychology professionals specializing in developmental psychology include a wide range of options and your preferred area of focus—adolescent, elderly, LGBTQ—may dictate your work environment. Many choose to work at research facilities, universities and schools, hospitals, adolescent outreach facilities, psychiatric institutions, or in their own private practice.

With a general program and seven different specializations to choose from, Walden University’s online PhD in Developmental Psychology degree program aims to provide students with a cutting-edge doctoral education that features diverse, global perspectives to help others overcome critical developmental challenges. An online format enables students to earn their PhDs from the comfort of home, without the need to travel to class.

Discover how Walden, an accredited online university, can help you earn your PhD in Developmental Psychology on a schedule that best suits your needs.

The PhD in Developmental Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

The Developmental Psychology specialization in the PhD in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.