Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development

The Human Development Ph.D. program provides students with a broad base of knowledge in the science of psychology, and human development in particular. Students learn to conduct cutting edge developmental research, understand and analyze developmental change within complex systems, work with diverse populations, and appreciate both basic and applied research. The program prepares students for careers as researchers, teachers, advocates, and more.

Specific requirements include successful completion of the following: (1) Human Development core classes, plus those recommended outside the program, (2) Suggested sequence of courses in statistics-methods in order to develop competence to design, collection, and analyze complex developmental data, (3) Research apprenticeship, (4) Empirical MA thesis, (5) Ph.D. Comprehensive examination, (6) Dissertation, (7) Completion of all other University and Departmental requirements.

Your application to the Human Development PhD program should include the following:

Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Note: Either unofficial transcripts or official transcripts can be submitted for application review. Official transcripts will be required prior to enrollment if accepted. If you receive an error message that a transcript's file size is too large, please contact the Graduate Admissions office (202-319-5057) for possible solutions.

Statement of purpose: This is sometimes known as a Personal Statement. It's an approximately two-page (double-spaced, one page if single-spaced) statement about your qualifications for the program, including information on your research experience, your areas of particular interest within human developmental psychology, your goals after obtaining your doctorate, and any other important information you would like for us to know about you.

Curriculum Vitae or resume. Note: If submitting online, upload in the Employment Information section.

Three letters of recommendation, along with the Recommendation Rating Form, from individuals who know you well and are able to describe your academic and/or research performance. If you have professional experience, one of the letters could be about your job performance. Note: If you submit your application online, online completion of the recommendation forms and uploaded letters are required. If submitting via mail, give a paper copy of the Recommendation Rating Form to each referee.

Report of GRE General Test scores. The Subject Test in Psychology is not required. GRE scores must be sent directly the CUA Office of Graduate Admissions from the testing service and cannot be attached to the online application. CUA's test code for the GRE and TOEFL is 5104. Our program has made the GRE General Test optional for admission to the fall 2022 class. Applications without GRE scores will be given equal consideration. If applicants have GRE scores, they may submit scores and they will be considered by the admissions committee.

Minimally accepted TOEFL scores, when applying for graduate programs, are 550-paper, 213-computer, and 80 Internet. Students taking the TOEFL should have at least 20 out of 30 in each of the TOEFL subcategories. The minimally accepted graduate IELTS score is 6.5. Individual IELTS test module scores are also reviewed in addition to the overall IELTS score.