Psychology: Developmental Psychology

How do humans develop cognitively, emotionally, socially and morally from infancy to the end stages of life?

Developmental psychology is the scientific study of change and stability in humans across the life span. Students studying developmental psychology at Emmanuel learn about physical development, cognitive development and social development in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood. Students will also learn how to apply this knowledge to help people of all ages live to their full potential.



Major Requirements

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a B.A. in Psychology

  • PSYCH1501 General Psychology (SA) (SS)
  • PSYCH2209 Physiological Bases of Behavior (SI) (NS) OR NEURO2201 Neurobiology with Lab (NSL)
  • PSYCH2801 Methods and Statistics I
  • PSYCH2802 Methods and Statistics II (QA)
  • PSYCH3111 Cognition

Requirements for a B.A. in Psychology with Concentration in Developmental Psychology

Take three developmental age period classes:

  • PSYCH2303 Child Psychology (SA) (SS)
  • PSYCH2304 Adulthood and Aging
  • PSYCH2403 Adolescent Development (SA) (SS)

Take one of the applied development classes listed below:

  • PSYCH3201 Psychology of Language
  • PSYCH3210 Child Psychopathology
  • PSYCH3212 Adult Psychopathology
  • PSYCH3404 Emerging and Established Adulthood

Take one of the following electives:

  • PSYCH2203 Social Psychology (SA) (SS)
  • PSYCH2210 Theories of Personality
  • PSYCH2211 Race, Gender and Sexuality: Intersection of Privilege and Oppression (SA) (SS) (DM)
  • PSYCH2405 Health Psychology
  • PSYCH3101 Seminar: Psychology of Women
  • PSYCH3103 Relationships, Marriage and the Family (SA)
  • PSYCH3601 Counseling Theories and Techniques

Senior capstone experience (two semesters):

  • PSYCH4282/PSYCH83 Research Internship I and II  or
    PSYCH4494/PSYCH95 Applied Internship I and II

Learning Goals & Outcomes

The psychology department’s Learning Goals are based in the Principles for Quality Undergraduate Psychology Programs, a report put out by the American Psychological Association, which “recognizes the importance of undergraduate education in advancing psychology as a science, promoting human welfare, and fostering students’ growth and development,” (APA.org). Each goal is broadly articulated, with the recognition that the content, depth, and breadth of the course are dependent upon a number of factors (e.g., 1000–4000-level).

  1. Knowledge and Critical Engagement in Psychology: Students will understand and can apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives (biological, behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and social), empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology, as well as the APA Code of Ethics.
  2. Research Methods in Psychology: Students will be able to engage in research design, sampling, data collection, data analysis and interpretation.
  3. Information and Technological Literacy: Students will be proficient in the use of information and technology for many purposes relevant to the field of Psychology.
  4. Communication Skills: Students will be proficient in written and oral communication in a variety of formats for educational and professional purposes.
  5. Personal and Professional Development: Students will understand the links between personal and professional values, knowledge and skills, and aca- demic and career goals.

To further articulate how each goal is addressed within the Psychology program course structure, Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are articulated for each course that is part of the major and minor. Bloom’s taxonomy was used as a framework for distinguishing the level of skill or knowledge expected within the given course. These levels are: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating and Creating. The student learning outcomes reflect both the Psychology program goals and the level of learning expected for each goal. The departmental goals and course-specific student learning outcomes are included in all course syllabi.

Explore Emmanuel

Learn More
Research Spotlight: Searching for an Evolution Solution

Propelled by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, students and faculty in the Mathematics Department are studying the rate of evolution in spatially structured populations using evolutionary graph theory, which may inform the estimation of important events in our evolutionary past, such as when humans split from our closest primate relatives.

Learn More
Eileen Milien '22: A Career-Affirming CURE

When choosing a college, Eileen knew two things for sure—that she would be able to get to know her professors and peers and that she wanted to be in an area in which she would have myriad opportunities in the research and medicine.

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
The Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA)

In a city known for innovation in healthcare, opportunities for Emmanuel students are bolstered by our location within the world-renowned Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA). With walking-distance access to cutting-edge scientific and medical institutions, ours is a neighborhood that stands hand-in-hand with the future.

Learn More
Jolie Erlacher ’19 Finds Purpose Counseling Those in Need

As early as her second year at Emmanuel College, Jolie Erlacher '19 discovered the power of networking, seeing firsthand how the connections she has made at Emmanuel-and then beyond-have affected the course of her academic and career trajectory, each opportunity opening a door to the next.

Learn More
Featured Faculty: Aren Gerdon

Professor Aren Gerdon is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Emmanuel College. He leads his own chemistry research group, focusing on biomaterials, and works closely with other research groups across campus. Professor Gerdon is passionate about sharing his deep knowledge of chemistry with his students, guiding them from class work to practical, real-world lab experiments.

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More

Let's Get Started.

Emmanuel is a place where students broaden their sense of what’s possible and prepare for inspiring careers in an ever-changing world. Be here.