Students must fulfill the Experimental Program core requirements, including advanced courses in social, cognition, learning and physiological psychology. Students also complete coursework in advanced developmental psychology, history and theories of development, and child and adolescent psychopathology. Moreover, students take specialized seminars in infant, child, adolescent, and adult development and complete a field placement. The purpose of the field placement is to ensure that all graduates of the Developmental program have adequate opportunities to observe and work with people of various ages outside of the university classroom setting. These experiences are individually tailored to best meet the needs of each student and to enhance his/her skills. For example, field placements may provide opportunities to develop research proposals, program assessment strategies, or training manuals for community programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start. Alternatively, a field placement experience may foster one-on-one interaction with elders living a local nursing home or provide experience with healthcare administration or service provision for the elderly. Ultimately, the structure and specific goals of a particular field placement depend, in part, on a student's area of interest.

In addition to the field placement, completion of a master's project, comprehensive examination, and dissertation are required for the Ph.D. Finally, students are expected to attend the Department of Psychology Colloquia; this lecture series is held periodically during the academic year and serves as a mechanism through which both faculty and graduate students are able to present and discuss their current research and theoretical ideas.

Developmental students may also do interdisciplinary coursework in child development, early intervention, family processes, exceptional development, or gerontology. Within the department, students are encouraged to work with faculty members across sub-disciplines, including both the Animal Learning and Clinical faculty. Finally, students may choose to complete either the Quantitative Minor or the Neuropsychology Minor, both of which are housed in the Department of Psychology, to complement their developmental degree.

The Developmental Program, which generally requires a minimum of four years to complete, typically admits one to two new students each year. Students typically take nine to 12 credits per semester. See an outline of the suggested course of study for more information. Information concerning the application process, including application materials and forms, are available on-line. Inquiries about the Developmental Program may be directed to any of the program faculty. Additional information pertaining to the admissions process may also be obtained through the Graduate School.