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University of Wyoming

Developmental Psychology

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The University of Wyoming's Developmental Psychology program provides students with doctoral training that promotes expertise in the theories, current knowledge, and research paradigms in developmental psychology. The program focuses on cognitive and social development in children, adolescents, and adults, and on the application of developmental research to programs and policies. Research activity is strongly emphasized. Throughout their four-year careers, students are encouraged to work independently and collaboratively with one or more faculty and with other students. This flexible training equips graduates for employment in academia, research institutions, government agencies, and a variety of service-related settings.

Ph.D. Requirements

Developmental Psychology doctoral students are expected to fulfill Experimental program requirements, which include completing four core psychology courses, two statistics courses, and a methodology course, and also to complete specific developmental requirements. These include at least six hours of coursework in graduate developmental courses, chosen in consultation with the student's committee. Developmental course offerings include, among others, Advanced Developmental Psychology (required), Advanced Cognitive Development, Advanced Social Development, Adolescent Development, Children's Theory of Mind, Children and the Law, Family and Community Contexts of Development, Delinquency Prevention, and Optimal Development. Ninety-six (96) credit hours are required to obtain a Ph.D. Students are required to complete a Master's thesis and dissertation on developmental topics, and, between these tasks, to pass a qualifying exam, developed by each student in collaboration with his or her graduate committee. Students may be expected to regularly attend pro-seminars for developmental students and faculty. First-year students interested in young children may apply to the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Development program, a university-wide interdisciplinary program, to work towards an enhanced Master's credential in conjunction with their psychology degree.
 

Developmental Psychology Faculty

Karen Bartsch, Ph. D. (U. Michigan, 1988)
Conceptual Development (Theory of Mind; theory-theory, recognition of learning)
Development of social cognition (application to persuasion), Moral Development

David Estes, Ph. D. (U. Michigan, 1986)
Optimal Development, Belief Systems, Worldviews, Theories of Human
Nature

Cynthia Hartung, Ph.D. (U. Kentucky, 1998)
Disruptive behavior disorders; gender & ethnicity differences in child psychopathology

Christine McKibbin, Ph.D. (U. North Texas)
Aging, Serious Mental Illness, Health Promotion, Intervention Development

Narina Nunez, Ph. D. (Cornell U., 1987)
Applied Developmental Psychology, Adolescent Decision-Making, Social
Policy: Children, Adolescents, and Families, Juror and Jury Reasoning and Decision-Making, Child Maltreatment, Children and the Law
 

Affiliated Developmental Faculty

William E. MacLean, Jr., Ph. D. (Peabody, Vanderbilt U., 1980)
Mental Retardation, Pediatric Psychology, Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses

Suzanna Penningroth, Ph. D. (U. Illinois, 1995)
Prospective Memory, Memory, Information-processing in Applied Tasks,
Aging and Cognition