DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

• The Program
  • Requirements
• Prospective Students
• Faculty
• ADP Graduates
• Current Students
• UMBC Graduate Catalog

ADP Requirements

ADP Core Courses

PSYC: 653 - Cultural Aspects of Human Dev - 3 Credits
PSYC: 781 - Social and Personality Development - 3 Credits
PSYC: 651 - Cognitive Development - 3 Credits
Total ADP Core - 9 Credits

Methodology

PSYC: 611 - Data Analytic Procedures I - 4 Credits
PSYC: 711 - Data Analytic Procedures II - 4 Credits
PSYC: 710 - Research Methods - 3 Credits
Elective in Stats or Methods - 3 Credits (e.g., Measurement of Behavior, Qualitative Methods, Program Evaluation, Advanced Quantitative Topics courses)
Total Methods - 14 Credits

Basic Psychology Core Courses

Learning, Development, and Biological Bases (Core I) - 4 Credits
Individual Differences, Social, and Diversity (Core II) - 4 Credits
Total Basic Core - 8 Credits

Other ADP Program Requirements

Public Policy Issues Or Prevention Or
Intervention1 - 3 Credits (e.g., PSYCH: 736)
Assessment - 3 Credits (e.g., PSYCH: 629, PSYCH: 721)
PSYC: 686 - Ethical and Professional Issues - 3 Credits
PSYC: 688 - Topics in ADP2 - Credits (NA)
PSYC: 690 - Field Experience3 - 3 Credits
Total Additional - 12 Credits

Specialization Courses - 9 credits

At least 6 credits must be from regular taught courses. Additional credits may come from courses, practica, or independent study. Courses that are used to fulfill the general requirements for ADP may not count as part of the specialization. Additional measurement and statistics courses may not count towards specialization unless the student is specializing in one or both of those areas.

Total Course Requirements - 52 Credits

Research Requirements

PSYC: 799 - Masters Thesis (or research competency) - 6 Credits
PSYC: 899 - Dissertation- 18 Credits
Total Research - 24 Credits

Total Number of Credits for Ph.D. Degree - 76

1. Students must choose one course in either Public Policy OR Prevention OR Intervention. Which of these topics is chosen will be based on discussion between the student and mentor about the student's career goals. Note that not all courses offered, even within the Psychology program, in any of the 3 areas are necessarily pertinent for a student in the Applied Development Psychology Program. Students may choose to take a course in more than 1 of the 3 areas.
2. Students must attend Topics in ADP for two years, preferably in their first and second years. The course meets biweekly during the fall and spring semesters. In order to minimize the financial burden that students face, they do not have to register for formal course credit.
3. Up to 12 credits of field experience (practica) can be taken in partial satisfaction of degree requirements, 3 credits of which are required. Practica are typically taken in 3-credit blocks (150-180 hours).  In order to receive credit for practica beyond the 3-credit minimum, each practicum experience must be uniquely defined, in consultation with one's academic advisor and on-site practicum supervisor. If the circumstances warrant, a student may be given permission to register for a 2-semester practicum at the same site; advance approval of the program director is necessary. No more than 6 credits of practicum are permitted prior to the completion of the Master's thesis. Under most circumstances, a student taking more than 6 practicum credits will graduate with more than 54 course credits.