Developmental psychology
For us, community is a key word. At the Institute of Child Development (ICD), you'll join a close-knit group of faculty, staff, and peers who are driven to make a difference and who will support your growth as an academic and researcher. For 100 years, our faculty and students have worked together to make discoveries that increase knowledge about human development across the lifespan.
In our program, you'll not only study what you love, but gain experience through:
- Innovative research: Train in a research-intensive program focused on typical and atypical development.
- Teaching in higher education: Teach topics on human development, such as cognition, language, executive function, social-emotional or neuroscience, in academic settings.
- Bridging research and real-world impact: Apply science to inform policies and practices that address our society's critical issues.
Register for an upcoming info session
Join Director of Student Services Bre Krzyzanowski for an upcoming virtual info session on the PhD in Developmental Psychology.
September 24, 12-1pm CST Register here
Contact us with questions
We're here to help. Get in touch with our student services team.
Find what drives you—join us!
Mentorship
Study with award-winning faculty, who are leaders in the field of developmental psychology.
Funding
Receive guaranteed financial support for five academic years.
Specialization
Choose to pursue either our developmental science or developmental psychopathology and clinical science track.
Location
Earn your PhD at a top public research university offering diverse opportunities for interdisciplinary and community-based research.
Developmental science track
In our developmental science track, you can explore your research interests and gain the classroom experience needed for a developmental psychology career in research or academia.
As a developmental science student, you'll study human development across the lifespan and build your research expertise. Conduct research on topics including cognitive development, language development, executive function, social-emotional development, or neuroscience. If your interests span across topics, choose a research focus that's unique to you and work in collaboration with multiple Institute of Child Development (ICD) faculty members. You’ll have the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research with experts from across the University of Minnesota (U of M), a top public research university.
Along with research experience, you'll also gain teaching experience in the classroom. The developmental science track prepares students for teaching in higher education by providing instruction on university-level teaching. Students also receive mentorship while co-instructing an undergraduate introductory course in developmental psychology.
I chose to study at ICD because of its outstanding reputation in the field and its comprehensive approach to understanding child growth and development.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is structured to support you as you grow as an academic and researcher. You'll build your expertise, explore your interests, and acquire the skills needed to be a leader in higher education or research settings.
The developmental science track is a full-time program that is designed to be completed in five years.
Students gain a foundation in human development through courses in cognitive, social-emotional, and biological development processes, ethical conduct of research, and statistical methods.
- CPSY 8301 Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
- CPSY 8302 Developmental Psychology: Social and Emotional Processes
- CPSY 8304 Developmental Research Methods
- CPSY 8307 Prelim Seminar
- EPSY 8251 Statistical Methods in Education I
- EPSY 8252 Statistical Methods in Education II
Students choose advanced courses in developmental psychology and supporting programs to deepen your research interests. Students work with their faculty advisor(s) to choose courses or minors of interest.
Example courses include:
- CPSY 8101 Graduate Fellowship Proposal Writing Seminar
- CPSY 8360 Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
- CPSY 8606 Advanced Developmental Psychopathology
Example minors include:
- Educational Psychology graduate minor
- Interpersonal Relationships Research doctoral minor
- Prevention Science doctoral minor
- Family Social Science graduate minor
- Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences minor
- Neuroscience minor
Hone your teaching skills by developing and co-teaching your own section of Introduction to Developmental Psychology. In addition to research and academic preparation, one of the key components of a competitive candidate on the academic job market is teaching experience. Through the course of the PhD program, we provide a variety of opportunities for gaining such experience.
- CPSY 8321 Seminar in Teaching Developmental Psychology
- CPSY 8322 Apprenticeship in Teaching Developmental Psychology
Work with faculty members throughout your academic career to define your research interests and hone your research expertise. Students will develop skills related to research dissemination and career development through presenting at conferences and publishing manuscripts.
You'll prepare for academic milestones and write your dissertation.
- First year research project
- Preliminary Written (Qualifying) Exam
- Special Area Paper
- Preliminary Oral Exam and Prospectus Meeting
- Dissertation Defense
Developmental psychopathology and clinical science track
Our developmental psychopathology and clinical science track is suited for students interested in pursuing a career in clinical science research and teaching.
As a developmental psychopathology student, you'll study psychopathology in the context of development and build a foundation in developmental research. Conduct research on topics including stress and maltreatment, social and emotional development, vulnerable populations, and resilience. If your interests span across topics, choose a research focus that's unique to you and work in collaboration with multiple ICD faculty members. You'll have the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research with experts from across the University of Minnesota (U of M), a top public research university.
You'll take developmental psychology courses with your cohort at ICD, as well as clinical psychology courses and complete APA-accredited clinical training and internship through the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Program (CSPR). Some students pursue licensure, depending on their career goals.
I chose ICD because I resonated deeply with its collective mission to engage with our community and use rigorous science to support children's well-being.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is structured to support you as you grow as an academic, researcher, and clinician. You'll build your expertise, explore your interests, and complete foundational courses in developmental psychology, along with clinical courses and APA-accredited clinical training through the Department of Psychology's Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research (CSPR) Program. The developmental psychopathology and clinical science track is a full-time program that is designed to be completed in six years, including the year-long internship.
Students gain a foundation in human development through courses in cognitive, social-emotional, and biological development processes, ethical conduct of research, and statistical methods.
- CPSY 8301 Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
- CPSY 8302 Developmental Psychology: Social and Emotional Processes
- CPSY 8304 Developmental Research Methods
- CPSY 8307 Prelim Seminar
- EPSY 8251 Statistical Methods in Education I
- EPSY 8252 Statistical Methods in Education II
You'll take clinical-based courses and receive APA-accredited clinical training in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Program (CSPR).
- CPSY 8606 Advanced Developmental Psychopathology
- CPSY 8608 Clinical Interventions Across the Lifespan
- PSY 8602 Psychopathology & Personality
- PSY 8603 Clinical Seminar Series: Contemporary Directions in Clinical Psychology Research
- PSY 8614 Intellectual and Neuropsychological Assessment
- PSY 8615 Professional Methods in Applied Assessment I: Intellectual & Neuropsychological Functioning
- PSY 8616 Applied Assessment II: Personality and Psychopathology
- PSY 8617 Ethical and Equitable Decisions in Clinical Science and Counseling Psychology
- PSY 8619 Foundations in Therapeutic Intervention Applying Theory to Clinical Practice
Work with faculty members throughout your academic career to define your research interests and hone your research expertise while taking CPSY 8994 research credits. You'll prepare for academic milestones such as:
- First Year Research Project
- Preliminary Written (Qualifying) Exam
- Special Area Paper
- Preliminary Oral Exam and Prospectus Meeting
- Dissertation Defense
Students are required to take four semesters of clinical practicum and accrue a minimum of 480 face-to face clinical hours (intervention + assessment) by the time internship applications are submitted, with at least 240 face-to-face intervention hours.
Students complete a one-year, full-time, APA-accredited pre-doctoral clinical internship. Students who are interested in obtaining licensure after graduation are responsible for obtaining the relevant licensure information and making sure that they satisfy these requirements during their clinical training.
Accreditation
The American Psychological Association's (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA) has accredited the University of Minnesota clinical psychology PhD program since 1948. The program is accredited by the APA through 2027.
Our joint program is also accredited by PCSAS (Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System) through 2033.
Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation:
- Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Our program is also accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) through 2033.
- Contact Information:
Joseph E. Steinmetz, PhD, Executive Director
1101 East 10th Street, IU Psychology Building, Bloomington, IN 47405-7007
Phone: 479-301-8008
We intend to renew our PCSAS Accreditation. Our clinical science training model and vision is most consistent with the standards of PCSAS. We support the full scope of current PCSAS initiatives, including PCSAS achieving recognition in 2018 from the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) to allow students from PCSAS accredited programs into the internship match. We also support their initiative to make program graduates fully license-eligible in diverse jurisdictions. As license eligibility is achieved for PCSAS program graduates in a significant number of U.S. states over the next few years, our program will consider remaining accredited solely by PCSAS without APA accreditation.
In making this statement, we are pleased to stand with other leading clinical psychology doctoral training programs that have expressed strong commitments to clinical psychological science and corresponding plans regarding accreditation.
Careers
Alumni of the PhD in developmental psychology have diverse career options. Graduates commonly pursue careers in areas such as:
- Public and private research universities
- Liberal arts colleges
- Academic medical centers
- The National Institutes of Health and other government agencies
- Non-profit and policy organizations
- Psychological testing and assessment corporations
- Children's hospitals
- Outpatient mental health clinics
- Education publishing organizations
- Public broadcasting networks
- Research and data science organizations
ICD alumni are leaders in the field of developmental psychology. As a graduate of ICD, you'll join a tight-knit network of scholars that will continue to support you throughout your career.
Our students and alumni make a difference
Two ICD alumni receive CEHD Distinguished Alumni Awards Two ICD alumni receive CEHD Distinguished Alumni Awards
The College of Education and Human Development recently celebrated its 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards with a ceremony to recognize the achievements of 13 alumni, including ICD alumni Maureen O'Brien (PhD '91) and Jamie Ostrov (PhD '04).
Equitable development for all children Equitable development for all children
ICD PhD student Norwood Glaspie shares how doctoral fellowships and scholarships have boosted his academic journey and supported his research into how children learn about social inequality.
PhD student Freddie Corcoran on risk and resilience, and translating research into practice PhD student Freddie Corcoran on risk and resilience, and translating research into practice
Freddie Corcoran is a fourth-year PhD student in developmental psychology at ICD. In this Q & A, she shares her experience in the program and why it’s important for researchers to collaborate with practitioners.
Ann Masten and PhD alumnus Angela Narayan receive awards from Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Ann Masten and PhD alumnus Angela Narayan receive awards from Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Regents Professor Ann Masten and ICD PhD alumnus Angela Narayan received awards from the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology this month.
Program information
Admissions timeline
Deadline: December 1
We accept applications for our PhD in developmental psychology for a fall term start each year.
Application review begins directly after the deadline and continues through mid-January. An admissions committee made up of faculty from ICD will review your application and pass along their recommendations to the entire faculty for a final decision in January. Our faculty do not interview prospective students prior to making admissions decisions. Students who are offered admission will receive an invitation to our Prospective Student Weekend, which takes place the last full weekend in February.
Our admissions committee evaluates applications holistically. Strong candidates have a combination of research and education in psychology or related subjects and show promise to become leading researchers in the field of developmental psychology. Each year, we aim to welcome 10 new students, with approximately two-thirds of the cohort being developmental science students.
For a snapshot of our previous admissions data, please visit the Graduate School’s program statistics webpage.
Admissions requirements
You’re eligible to apply if you’ve completed:
- a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, earned before the fall start of the PhD program (minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0)
- at least three Psychology courses that include foundational knowledge on these topics: Developmental, Abnormal, and Research Methods
- one course in statistics
GRE test scores
For the 2026 admissions cycle, GRE scores will be required for admission. Applicants are required to take the GRE General test. The GRE Psychology Subject test is optional. Individuals who previously took the GRE General test do not need to re-test, provided scores are not more than five years old.
Please review guidance on taking the GRE from the Graduate School. Educational Testing Services (ETS), which administers the GRE, has a Fee Reduction Program that some U.S. citizens and resident aliens may be eligible for based on demonstrated financial need, unemployment, or participation in national programs that work with underrepresented groups.
English language proficiency requirement
Students whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Demonstration of proficiency is met through either the TOEFL or the IELTS.
English language test minimum scores for the Institute of Child Development:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- Speaking score of 27 or higher
- Writing Subscore: 21
- Reading Subscore: 19
- Total Score: 79
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
- Speaking score of 8.5 or higher
- Writing Subscore: 6.5
- Reading Subscore: 6.5
- Total Score: 6.5
View the U of M’s English Language Proficiency information.
You’ll need to enter your self-reported TOEFL or IELTS scores in the online application and send your official electronic scores to the University of Minnesota:
- TOEFL ETS institution code: 6874
- IELTS score recipient:
- Institution/Organization - University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions
- Department/Person - All Campuses
Exception to TOEFL and IELTS tests
Academic exception
Non-native English speakers who completed the entirety of their undergraduate degree (four years) in an English-speaking country within the last five years do not need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an English language test.
English language proficiency exemption
Applicants who have English as a first language from a country on the English proficiency exemption list are exempted from submitting proof of English proficiency.
Tuition and funding
The Institute of Child Development guarantees funding for five academic years, along with summer funding in the first year, and opportunities for summer fellowshipos in additional years. Students in the DPCS track have the option to request a sixth year of funding prior to internship. Funding support is provided through graduate assistantships (research assistantships/teaching assistantships), fellowships and traineeships, or scholarships. Our program has a strong record of students securing fellowships from prestigious agencies, such as the National Science Foundation. All students will receive a funding package that includes a monthly stipend, health insurance, and full tuition benefits. Stipend amounts vary based on the funding support. The current minimum graduate assistant rate of pay for ICD is $29.76/hour.
Additional program benefits
- Laptop: Receive a new Dell or MacBook Air laptop to use throughout your PhD studies.
- Professional development: An $850 professional development fund is available to support academic growth.
- Conference travel: Annual $500 travel funding to present at academic conferences.
Additional funding information
Each year, the U of M Office for Diversity in Graduate Education awards the Diversity of Views and Experience Fellowship (DOVE) to about 20 first-year students from underrepresented groups. The fellowship provides a living stipend, tuition, and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. If you wish to be considered for the DOVE Fellowship, please note your interest on your application. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for this award.
- Information about cost of living in Minnesota - Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Graduate Assistant Health Plan - University of Minnesota Office of Student Health Benefits
Graduate assistants at the University of Minnesota are members of the Graduate Labor Union - United Electrical Local 1105 (GLU-UE). Review the active GLU-UE collective bargaining agreement.
Before you begin
Before you begin the online application, gather the following materials:
- Faculty advisor(s): Explore our faculty members’ areas of research and identify one or two faculty members whose research interests you.
- To find out if an ICD faculty member is accepting new students this year, please visit their faculty profile.
- Before you apply, we encourage you to email the faculty members you're interested in working with to introduce yourself and share your research interests.
- Unofficial transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are required for all institutions you have attended. Review the Graduate School's unofficial transcript requirements.
- CV or resume: Read our CV writing instructions to learn more about what information you will need to provide on your CV.
- Three letters of recommendation: At least three letters of recommendation are required by the December 1st deadline. Letters of recommendation from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work and speak to your research experience are suggested. Share our letter of recommendation prompts with your recommenders.
- Personal statement: Review our personal statement requirements to learn more about the required statement information and format.
- Diversity Statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. All PhD applicants are asked to submit a diversity statement. Read our diversity statement prompts to learn the requirements.
- Application fee: $75 ($95 for international applicants). Must be paid online with a credit card. Learn more about fees. Select applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver:
- Participants in the Next Gen Psych Scholars Program (NPSP), U of M Diversity in Psychology Program, and McNair Scholars may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact Bre Krzyzanowski (krzyz0008@umn.edu) to learn more.
- Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Fee Waiver Program
Optional materials
- Extenuating circumstances statement: Provide a brief statement if you'd like to explain circumstances that impacted your previous academic performance or contributed to lower test scores.
- Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship application: If you wish to be considered for the DOVE Fellowship which provides recruitment and support to students that promote a diversity of views, experiences, and ideas, please indicate this on the developmental psychology page in the online application. Learn more about the DOVE Fellowship and application.
After you submit your application, you'll receive an email confirmation.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Get in touch with our student services team: icdapply@umn.edu
Quote from Bre Krzyzanowski
As the Student Services Director at ICD, I’m happy to advise and serve students looking to pursue further studies in developmental psychology. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.