Developmental Psychology

The field of developmental psychology is broad and interdisciplinary.  Potential careers in this field include research, policy/advocacy, and practice. Developmental psychology encompasses the entire lifespan, ranging from infancy through older adulthood, with increasing career opportunities in the study of aging and longevity.

Research positions can be found in colleges/universities (including the Cognitive Developmental Society listserv and the Infant Congress listserv and many other university research centers focused on developmental psychology), but also in think tanks and other research organizations, many of which also focus on policy (e.g., ZEROTOTHREE.org, Society for Research in Child Development).  Positions in these research and policy centers vary in their degree requirements – some would be accessible with a bachelor’s degree, while others would require a graduate degree.  

Practice in this field could include careers in mental health (e.g., becoming a child therapist or family counselor), research (e.g., Mathematica), policy and advocacy (e.g. Zerotothree, Children and Screens), as well as jobs in education (e.g., childcare provider, teacher).  Some of these would require a graduate degree, but some are accessible with a bachelor’s degree.  

Relevant internships and volunteer positions include research assistant positions, as well as positions in advocacy or social service organizations.

Research and policy careers focused on aging include work in cognitive aging, health disparities, dementia risk, and factors that promote healthy aging. Positions can be found within universities or medical centers, and within aging-focused research organizations (e.g., National Institute on Aging–funded centers, RAND). Practice-oriented careers in the realm of aging include work in geriatric mental health, caregiving support, health systems, community aging services, and program evaluation for older adult programs.

Practical steps: 

• Gain research experience
• Connect with alumni in the field
• Do internships

Internships:

• Multiple universities offer summer internships in developmental psychology labs. See Canvas resources for real-time opportunities
• Founding Generations Internship Infant Congress in Infant Studies

Relevant research groups at Georgetown:

• CARES lab
• Early Learning Project
• Context, Development, and Social Policy Lab

Professional organizations:

• Society for Research in Child Development
• International Congress for Infant Studies
• Society for Research on Adolescence

Relevant courses in Psychology:

• PSYC 2600. Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• PSYC 3600. Early Child Development (3 credits)
• PSYC 3610. The Psychology of Aging (3 credits)
• PSYC 3620. Early Childhood Education 
• PSYC 3630 Topics in Educational Psychology 
• PSYC 3650 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood 
• PSYC 4600 Infancy
• PSYC 4610 Current Research on Children, Families, and Parenting
• PSYC 4630 Cognitive Development
• PSYC 4650 Ethnic-Racial Identity Development

Cognate courses can be found in  Education, Justice, and Inquiry minor, as well as courses related to lifespan development and neurodevelopment in Pediatrics and Biology. 

Want to find out more?  Chat with Profs. Rachel Barr, Rebecca Ryan, Anna Johnson, Kristia Wantchekon, or Casey Brown.

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