USC College Department of Psychology

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Brain and Cognitive Science
Clinical Science
Developmental Psychology

Doctoral Program
Careers
Core Faculty
To apply

Quantitative Methods
Social Psychology

FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

ADMISSIONS

FINANCIAL AID

LIVABLE LA

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AT USC

The graduate program in Developmental Psychology is designed to prepare students for careers in academic and applied research settings. This area of the Psychology Department includes a small group of core faculty but also involves significant contributions from affiliated faculty and other areas of Psychology. In addition, our students benefit from regular interactions with faculty in related disciplines across the university.

A unifying theme across the entire program is a multidisciplinary focus on psychological growth and change across the lifespan. Within the context of this overall framework, the Developmental program is organized into two broad subareas:

Child and Adolescent Development: Our research on the earlier stages of the lifespan is primarily concerned with the implications of social, academic, and cognitive development for long term adjustment. Some primary areas of inquiry include peer relationships during childhood and adolescence (JoAnn Farver, David Schwartz), relationships within the family (JoAnn Farver, Gayla Margolin, David Schwartz, Penny Trickett), determinants of academic adjustment (JoAnn Farver, Franklin Manis, David Schwartz), literacy and language acquisition (Elaine Andersen, JoAnn Farver, Franklin Manis, Toben Mintz), reading disorders (Franklin Manis), aggression and conduct disorders (Laura Baker, Stan Huey, David Schwartz), consequences of interpersonal victimization (JoAnn Farver, Thomas Lyon, Gayla Margolin, Penny Trickett, David Schwartz), and culture and ethnicity (JoAnn Farver, David Schwartz).

Adult Development and Aging: At the present time, the Adult Development and Aging specialization is under revision. We have an outstanding faculty in this area. Students may apply to specialize in Developmental Psychology, and name one of the following faculty as their primary advisor: David Walsh, Margaret Gatz, Jack McArdle, or Bob Knight. Affiliated faculty include Elaine Andersen, Gerald Davison, Carol Prescott, Biing-Jiun Shen, and Elizabeth Zelinski.