The Ph.D. Program in Developmental Psychology
at Texas A&M University
The primary mission of the Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology
is to educate and train students for academic careers in research and
teaching in psychology. We involve students in ongoing research projects
from their first entry into the program, and we expect that they will
evolve their own programs of research by the end of their graduate careers.
Students generally work closely with one faculty member in a mentoring
relationship, but may also pursue collaborative research with other
faculty and students.
Current areas of research focus on perceptual and cognitive development
in infancy and childhood, including such topics as object perception,
physical reasoning, intermodal perception, categorization and conceptual
development, language development, and sex differences. In addition,
because developmental issues are central in many areas of psychology,
we maintain close collaborative ties with faculty in other programs
within our own department, such as cognitive, clinical, and social,
as well as faculty in other departments, such as Educational Psychology
and Health & Kinesiology. The faculty in our program have received
grants from major federal agencies and private foundations and regularly
publish in leading journals in the field.
Students in the Developmental program have access to the developmental
labs, consisting of a reception area for parents and children, several
testing rooms, and areas for data coding and analysis. The testing rooms
are equipped with computers, video equipment, and specialized equipment
needed for specific methodologies in infant and child development. Cognitive,
social, and clinical laboratories and resources are also available for
collaborative projects with cognitive, clinical, and social researchers.
All graduate students admitted to the Department of Psychology are
provided a fellowship or assistantship that pays a competitive monthly
salary. Almost all students keep their fellowship or assistantship for
their entire period of graduate studies, four or five years. Office
space, computers, funds to travel to professional conventions, and free
health insurance are also provided. The Developmental program supports
a speakers series that each year brings to campus faculty members from
other universities. This series provides exposure to different perspectives
on the field and the opportunity to network with professors at other
institutions.
At present, the Developmental program is only interested in admitting
students with interests in cognitive development. The program maintains
a close working relationship with the Cognitive Psychology program,
which provides many opportunities for training and cross-area collaboration.
Developmental Psychology Faculty
Dr. Gerianne Alexander - Ph.D., McGill University (1991)
Dr. Emily Davidson - Ph.D., SUNY Stony Brook (1975)
Dr. Rachel Hull - Ph.D. (Cognitive) Texas A&M University (2003)
Dr. Jyotsna Vaid - Ph.D. McGill University (1982)
Dr. Teresa Wilcox - Ph.D. University of Arizona (1993)
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