Developmental Psychology Concentration
As an alternative to the General Psychology curriculum, Psychology majors may elect to pursue a concentration in Developmental Psychology. The Developmental Psychology concentration offers a strong foundation in current theory and empirical research in physical, cognitive, social and emotional development across the lifespan. This concentration will be of interest to students planning careers in areas such as child and family advocacy, education, school psychology, developmental or intellectual disability assessment, child development centers, human services agencies or working with the elderly. The concentration is also appropriate for students planning to enter graduate school in Developmental Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Gerontology or related areas.
Requirements for Students Who Entered Eastern Under the Fall 2024 Catalog or Later
If you entered Eastern earlier than Fall 2024, your requirements may be different. Consult your degree evaluation and/or your psychology faculty advisor to verify your own requirements.
Students following the Developmental Psychology concentration must complete a minimum of 50 hours of coursework in psychology, fulfilling the requirements below:
Psychology Core: 20 credits
- PSY 100 General Psychology
- PSY 101 Introduction to the Psychology Major (1 cr)
- PSY 227 Behavioral Science Statistics (4 cr)
- PSY 247 Research Methods I (4 cr)
- PSY 327 Research Methods II (4 cr)
- PSY 390 Professional Development (1 cr)
- PSY 409 Current Research in Psychology
- PSY 419 History and Systems of Psychology
Learning and Cognition: 3 credits
- Choose one course:
- PSY 205 Principles of Learning
- PSY 306 Cognitive Psychology
Developmental: 9 credits
- Choose three courses:
- PSY 206 Psychology of Childhood
- PSY 208 Psychology of Adolescence
- PSY 210 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging
- PSY 314 Psychology of the Infant and Toddler (formerly PSY 204)
Individual Differences: 3 credits
- Choose one course:
- PSY 301 Adult Psychopathology
- PSY 302 Psychopathology of Childhood
- PSY 315 Psychology of Gender*
Biological Bases of Behavior: 3 credits
- Choose one course:
- PSY 318 Sensation and Perception
- PSY 418 Physiological Psychology
- PSY 430 Human Neuropsychology
- PSY 432 Cognitive Neuroscience
- PSY 434 Behavior Genetics
Specialized Courses: 6 credits
- Choose two courses:
- PSY 345 Family Psychology (formerly PSY 230)
- PSY 407 Radical Behaviorism
- PSY 410 Psychological Tests and Measurements
- PSY 435 Controversies in Child Psychology
- PSY 460 Seminar in Psychology
- PSY 471 Global Studies in Psychology
- Only one of the following can count toward the two required courses for this section:
- PSY 480 Independent Study
- PSY 490 Teaching Assistantship
- PSY 491 Research Assistant
- PSY 496 Psychology Internship: Group Supervision
- PSY 497 Psychology Internship: Individual Supervision
- PSY 498 Research and Field Experience
Plus one elective: 3 credits
- Students should complete any one psychology course as an elective.
Recommended Courses
- The department strongly recommends completing your Quantitative Literacy ELAC course prior to enrolling in PSY 227
- BIO 202/203 Human Biology (Lecture/Lab)*
- MAT 216 Statistical Data Analysis*
*If you entered Eastern under a catalog prior to Fall 2024, these courses fulfill requirements in the old Liberal Arts Core
