Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)
The Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS) Area offers the Ph.D. degree in two specializations:
Developmental and Psychological Sciences
Learning Sciences and Technology Design »
Both programs emphasize disciplined inquiry aimed at understanding human psychological functioning in relation to issues in learning and teaching. Faculty and student research is centrally concerned with the psychology of learning and motivation, teaching, measurement and developmental processes. The programs prepare students for careers in scholarly research and in teaching with the goal of developing theory and research for the improvement of practice in education.
All students are expected to achieve knowledge and expertise in several substantive domains of developmental and psychological theory and research methodology and to embrace the highest scientific, professional, and ethical standards. Students and faculty in DAPS work collaboratively throughout the program. In the first two years of doctoral studies, students develop their program of study in close collaboration with their advisors. The program ranges across the major domains of psychology relevant to education while developing an individual specialization for each student.
Job Placement
The majority of our Ph.D. graduates in the Developmental and Psychological Sciences area express an interest in pursuing a university career in teaching and research. Other graduates seek employment in educational research and policy settings at both public and private research organizations. Some of our recent graduates are employed at the following locations:
University of Maryland
University of Texas at Austin
University of Colorado
University of Washington
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of California at Davis
University of California at Santa Cruz
University of San Francisco
University of Hawaii
University of Central Florida
University of South Florida
University of Pennsylvania
Ball State University
Lewis and Clark College
Harvard University
The RAND Corporation
Claremont Graduate School of Education
Purdue University
Teachers College, Columbia University
European University - Cyprus
Microsoft Gaming Studio
Metrica Research Associates
Livermore Community College
Sesame Workshop
SRI International
Durham University, UK
California State University, Northridge
San Jose State
