Developmental Psychology
To obtain specific instructions for how to apply to the graduate concentration in Developmental Psychology, prospective students should visit this page: https://www.uab.edu/cas/psychology/graduate/developmental
Each student in the Developmental Psychology specialization is encouraged to develop a systematic line of research that complements that of his or her advisor. With intense exposure to an important aspect of developmental research, the student acquires skills that can be generalized to a variety of problems. Students are required to complete a core curriculum which includes 21 hours of developmental psychology classes, 15 hours of research design and statistics, 9 hours of general psychology and related discipline classes; 6 hours of teaching practicum and teaching; and at least 48 credit hours of research.
Developmental Psychology students must complete a master's thesis. Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree is based on satisfactory completion of coursework and completion of an area review in the form of a Psychological Bulletin or Psychological Review article. The doctoral degree is awarded upon successful defense of the dissertation.
Master's Degree
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework 1 | 25 | |
| Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Research and the Workplace | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Seminar in Lifespan Developmental Psychology (Required fall and spring semesters every year) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics and Measurement | ||
| Lab for Introduction to Statistics and Measurement | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods | ||
| Lab for Applied Statistical Methods | ||
| Multivariate Statistical Methods | ||
| Lab for Multivariate Statistical Methods | ||
| Thesis Research | 6 | |
| Master's Level Thesis Research | ||
| Elective Options in Developmental Psychology | ||
| Select three courses from the list below 2 | ||
| Developmental Disabilities | ||
| Seminar in Cognitive Development | ||
| Seminar in Social Development | ||
| Seminar in Language Development | ||
| Applied Developmental Psychology | ||
| Cognitive Assessment: Child and Adult | ||
| 31 Hours - Minimum Required for Master's Degree | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
| 1 | Individual course requirements may be waived based on evaluation of coursework completed prior to matriculation, either at UAB or elsewhere. If a course requirement is waived, then the credit hours must be replaced by approved electives or by coursework required for the doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology. Course waivers may not exceed half of the required credit hours across the master’s and doctoral degrees in Developmental Psychology; research and practicum hours are not included in this computation. No course may satisfy requirements for both the master’s in Developmental Psychology and another degree, whether completed at UAB or elsewhere. |
| 2 | Other courses may be considered with Program Director approval. |
Doctoral Degree
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework 1,2 | 27 | |
| Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
or PY 707 | Brain and Cognition | |
| Seminar in Lifespan Developmental Psychology (Required fall and spring semesters every year) | ||
| Advanced Research Design | ||
| Seminar in Adolescent Development | ||
| Psychology of Aging | ||
| Electives in Research Design & Statistics | ||
| Select one course from: | 3 | |
| Longitudinal Data Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Structural Equation Modeling | ||
| General Psychology & Related Disciplines 3 | 6 | |
| Select two courses from: | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Human Neuropsychology | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Pediatric Psychology | ||
| Special Topics in Psychology | ||
| Community Practicum in Psychology | ||
| Teaching | 6 | |
| Practicum in the Teaching of Psychology | ||
| Waiver Deficit 4 | ||
| Doctoral Research | 12 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation Research | ||
| Total Hours | 54 | |
| 1 | Individual course requirements may be waived based on evaluation of coursework completed prior to matriculation, either at UAB or elsewhere. If a course requirement is waived, then the credit hours must be replaced by approved electives. Course waivers may not exceed half of the required credit hours across the master’s and doctoral degrees; research and teaching practicum hours are not included in this computation. No course may satisfy requirements for both the doctorate and another degree, whether completed at UAB or elsewhere. |
| 2 | At least 24 hours must be completed prior to admission to candidacy. Remaining hours must include at least 15 hours of graduate-level Psychology coursework. PY 798 does not count towards this 15 hour coursework minimum. |
| 3 | Other electives may be considered with Program Director approval. |
| 4 | Students who do not meet the 24-hour minimum in this category due to course waivers can make up the deficit with any combination of the following:
|