Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology
We train graduate students to be leaders in the study, teaching, and use of applied developmental and educational psychology, preparing our graduates for successful careers at top research universities, teaching colleges, research and policy institutes, government agencies, and health and human services organizations.
How do I know if a doctoral program is a good fit for me?
Doctoral work is a good fit for students who are intellectually curious, self-motivated, and committed to rigorous, long-term study. Consider whether the specific program鈥檚 faculty expertise, research opportunities, and values align with your academic and professional goals.听
Should I reach out to faculty in advance of applying? Do I need to apply directly to a lab?听
No, you should not reach out to a member of advising for help with any questions. Please note that our faculty are unable to respond to prospective students because of the high volume of applicant inquiries, and in order to maintain a fair and unbiased application process.听 We encourage you to review faculty profiles to identify those whose research aligns with your interests and describe that alignment in your application materials. You do not need to contact or apply to a specific lab.听
Do I need to have a potential faculty advisor in mind to apply?听
We recommend that you have a faculty member or two in mind when you apply. The application for admission will ask you to name a faculty member or two whose research interests you believe align with your own; you do not need faculty sponsorship to apply. These should be faculty who are affiliated with the specific program/department to which you are applying. Each department-specific webpage lists the faculty who are currently accepting doctoral students. Please note that the faculty you name on the application are not the only ones you may be assigned to work with, if admitted. The department may determine that a different faculty member is a better fit.
Where can I find more information on entrance requirements? Is a specific graduate or undergraduate degree required for admission?听
Our doctoral programs have varying prerequisite requirements. You can find details about prerequisites in the 鈥淎pplication and Deadlines鈥� box within the bottom 鈥淎pply鈥� section of each page.听
Where can I find more about application deadlines and requirements?听听
You can find details about the application deadlines and required materials in the 鈥淎pply鈥� section toward the bottom of each program鈥檚 webpage. Please review the information carefully in order to ensure that you are able to submit all required materials by the deadline.听
Is it possible to apply after the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline. Our deadlines are firm due to the competitive nature of programs and the structured, multi-round review process.听
When will I receive my admission decision?
Admission decisions will be released between February and April. We appreciate your patience during the review process.
How does Ph.D. funding work?听
All students admitted for full-time Ph.D. study receive a multi-year funding package that includes tuition coverage, a graduate assistantship position with a stipend, and health insurance coverage.
Can I complete a Ph.D. part-time?听
Many of our Ph.D. programs require full-time study. To confirm whether a specific Ph.D. program can be completed part-time, check the program鈥檚 webpage. The 鈥淎t A Glance鈥� section will indicate what study modes are available.
What makes a strong candidate for Ph.D. admission?
Admissions committees are generally looking for applicants with relevant academic preparation, research experience, strong writing skills, and a clear passion for the subject matter. The most competitive applicants will articulate a clear fit between their research interests and the research focus of programs and faculty. Applications are reviewed holistically, with attention to both preparation and potential.
Will I be involved in research in my program?听
Yes, research is a central component of our Ph.D. programs. Students typically engage in research throughout their training, beginning with faculty-led projects and gradually developing independent lines of inquiry. This experience is designed to build the skills necessary for scholarly and professional success.听
At a Glance
Curriculum
The program focuses on development and learning in a sociocultural context. Areas of program expertise include cognitive and socioemotional development from early childhood through adolescence, family economic and social well-being, educational and community contexts, and social and educational policies. Development and learning are examined across multiple, interactive contexts.
Specific areas of program expertise are listed by developmental context.
Individual Functioning
- Basic Processes
- Individual Differences
- Self-Regulation
- Biological Bases of Behavior
Interpersonal Processes
- Family Relationships
- Peer Relationships
- Parenting
Community, Cultural, and Public Policy
- Schools & Learning Environments
- Poverty
- Race and Ethnicity
- Gender
Upon completion of the Ph.D. program, graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts and theories in the fields of child development and learning, with a focus on socio-cultural context
- Critically evaluate existing research and integrate research findings across studies听 听 听
- Analyze applied and theoretical issues related to child development and learning from different theoretical perspectives and based on prior research findings
- Develop research questions reflecting basic and applied issues in the areas of education, social policy and human/community development
- Use appropriate methodology to design empirical studies addressing research questions
- Use a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques for analyzing data
- Communicate research findings clearly and accurately in publications and presentations for both professional and lay audiences
- Teach courses in the field at the college and graduate level
Requirements
- Courses: 18
- Credits: 54
- Comprehensive Exam
Courses
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY9920 | Proseminar in Current Issues in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology听 Introduces students to a variety of current research topics, professional development issues, teaching preparation, and application in the fields of Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology. Includes colloquia by invited speakers and by students. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY8115 | Cultural Processes, Social, and Emotional Development This course reviews the theoretical and empirical literatures pertinent to the study of emotional and social development across the life span. Perspectives derived from the disciplines of biology, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and history are presented. The interrelations between social and affective processes, and their association with familial, societal, cultural, and historical context of development are discussed. Issues derived from social psychology, such as group processes, will also be discussed. Methodological problems present in these literatures and resultant conceptual and empirical challenges involved in developing a life span understanding of social and affective processes are reviewed. | 3 |
| APSY8917 | Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior听 This course discusses theories of human development and examines empirical research on cognitive and affective processes underlying behavior. In addressing the cognitive bases of behavior, it explores key mental processes (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving) and constructs (e.g., schemas, heuristics) that have been instrumental in understanding everyday functioning. The socio-affective bases of behavior addressed in the course include emotions, temperament, and self-concept. The students in this course explore fundamental theoretical questions, such as the role of biology and environment in development, and consider practical applications of current theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning the bases of human behavior. | 3 |
| APSY8813 | Sociocultural Contexts of Development听 Doctoral seminar which seeks to explore both theoretical and empirical scholarship on the primary sociocultural contexts within which human development is embedded, including families, schools, communities, and cultural environments; to consider the bidirectional relationships between such contexts and individuals' development; and to improve competencies in critically evaluating the methodological and theoretical strengths and weaknesses of research in the field. | 3 |
| APSY8919 | Advanced Topics in Applied Cognitive Psychology An advanced seminar for the scholar-pracitioner.听 | 3 |
Students will take the following 3 courses and choose an additional 2 statistics or methods courses with their advisor.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY/MESA6469 | Intermediate Statistics Topics and computer exercises address tests of means, partial and part correlations, multiple regression, analysis of variance with planned and post hoc comparisons, analysis of covariance, repeated measures analysis, elements of experimental design, and power analysis. | 3 |
| APSY9841 | Quantitative Research Design in Counseling and Developmental Psychology听 In this year-long seminar, students examine quantitative research designs and application employed in the Counseling and Developmental Psychology literatures, including randomized, nonrandomized, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs. Students present and critique published research exemplifying specific designs, propose empirical studies that could advance counseling and developmental psychology, and present findings from their own empirical work. | 2 |
| APSY8851 | Qualitative Research Methods听 Introduces the foundations and techniques of carrying out qualitative research. Topics include philosophical underpinnings, planning for a qualitative research project, negotiating entry, ethics of conducting research, data collection and analysis, and writing/presenting qualitative research. Requires a research project involving participant observation and/or interviewing. | 3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY8714 | Advanced Research in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology听 Students design and carry out an original empirical project on a defined area within developmental or educational psychology. Requires design, data collection and analysis, interpretation, and formal APA-style write-up. Students also required to complete two colloquium presentations of their work. | 3-6 (3/SEM) |
| APSY9941 | Dissertation Seminar in Counseling/Developmental Psychology听 This course is designed to assist students in the preparation of a formal doctoral dissertation intent. All aspects of dissertation development will be discussed. Students must present a series of draft proposals for faculty and student reaction. An acceptable dissertation intent is required for completion of the course. | 3 |
| APSY9988 | Dissertation Direction听 Dissertation related course work for advanced doctoral students.听 | 3 |
Students will take four electives (3 credits each) chosen with their advisor. A fifth elective is required if taking only 3 credits of APSY8714.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY9901 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the听 program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to complete a comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. | 0 |
听The program is OPT STEM extension eligible.
100%
of full-time Ph.D. students receive a multi-year funding package that includes full tuition remission, a living stipend, and medical insurance coverage
Tuition & Aid
Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.
Boston College鈥檚 financial support, quality instruction, and alumni network will impact your employment options, making a AV研究所 degree both affordable and invaluable.
Application & Deadlines
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.
Fall 2026:
- Deadline: December 1, 2025
This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.
搁茅蝉耻尘茅
To be uploaded to your online application.
In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online application.
- Describe how your academic/professional background听and relevant life experiences听have informed your interest in completing doctoral work in the听Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology (ADEP)听doctoral program.
- Describe your听specific听research interests and future research plans.
- Explain why you are a good match for the听ADEP doctoral听program at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. A good statement of purpose will indicate 1-3 specific faculty whose program of research aligns with the research interests of the applicant and describe how specific faculty can support the applicant鈥檚 scholarly/research interests.
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Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required with at least one required from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice. Academic letters are a better indicator of your qualifications for doctoral work as compared to professional letters. Ideally, academic letters should be as recent as possible, and from faculty who are in related fields.听
Tip from the Admissions Team: Reach out to recommenders early to share your graduate school goals and confirm they can meet your deadline. Make sure to enter your recommender's contact information correctly on the application, as it can't be edited after you submit. Taking these steps generally leads to stronger letters and less stress.
Transcripts
Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
For degrees from the United States and Canada, unofficial transcripts may be used for application review. Official transcripts will be required upon enrollment.
Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.
Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found听. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.
Standardized Tests
GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.
Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.
Writing Sample
To be uploaded to your online application.
All applicants to this program are required to submit one piece of work that demonstrates graduate-level writing ability. This document may be an academic term paper, a published work in which you are the primary author, a training manual or curriculum that you have created, a clinical case formulation, or another representative sample of your writing. The document should be approximately 15-25 pages.
International Students
Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the . Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.
Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.
Requirements for International Students
Tip from the Admissions Team: Order your credential evaluation and submit all documents to the evaluator at least one month before your program鈥檚 deadline. During peak application times, delays are common and can lead to missed deadlines.
Quick Links
Contact Us
听 gsoe@bc.edu
听 617-552-4214