Applied Developmental Psychology, MS

Admissions Requirements

• Successful completion of undergrad degree with a 3.0 GPA.
• Experience working with children or adolescents.

Core Courses (18 credits)

All full-time students in the 36-credit Master of Science (MS) program in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) complete a common set (18 credits) of core, foundational courses.

• HHD 2503 - DEVELOPMENT: CONCEPTION THROUGH EARLY CHILDHOOD
• HHD 2504 - DVLP: MIDDLE CHLHD/ADOLESCENCE
• HHD 2510 - ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT IN REAL WORLD CONTEXTS
• HHD 2530 - APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (ADP): PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND LEADERSHIP
• HHD 2542 - EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN REAL WORLD CONTEXTS I
• HHD 2543 - EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN REAL WORLD CONTEXTS 2

Specialization Courses (12 credits)

In the second year of the program, students complete in-depth study and training in courses aligned with their chosen concentration/specialization area, as well as complete a community-based practice learning experience that consists of a field placement and development of the Master’s capstone project. 

ADP MS options include completion of the Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate, Study Abroad, and taking additional elective courses.

Choose 12.0 credits from the following courses (other courses may be chosen based on specialization with advisor approval):

• HHD 2113 - DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
• TLL 2505 - AUTISM: CHARACTERISTICS AND INTERVENTIONS
• HHD 2532 - PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF ILLNESS
• HHD 2520 - INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING
• HHD 2349 - CHILD LIFE PRACTICE IN HOSPITALS
• HHD 2524 - BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION
• HHD 2006 - INFANT MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS I
• HHD 2007 - FOUNDATIONS OF INFANT MENTAL HEALTH 1
• HHD 2008 - FOUNDATIONS OF INFANT MENTAL HEALTH 2
• HHD 2009 - INFANT MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS 2
• HHD 2562 - PLAY THERAPY AND FIELD WORK

Capstone Courses (6 credits)

Students will create and complete a community-based Capstone project with the support of ADP MS and University of Pittsburgh faculty.  The Capstone experience includes a total of six (6) credits including two pro-seminar classes and four (4) credits of community-engaged practice. 

• HHD 2316 - ADP PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR 1 (1 credit)
• HHD 2317 - ADP PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR 2 (1 credit)

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  Students will complete a total of four (4) credits from the following list:

• HHD 2622 - CHILD LIFE PRACTICUM
• HHD 2722 - CHILD LIFE INTERNSHIP
• HHD 2490 - SUPERVISED RESEARCH IN APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
• HHD 2765 - COMMUNITY-BASED PRACTICE LEARNING 1
• HHD 2766 - COMMUNITY-BASED PRACTICE LEARNING 2

Total Credits: 36

Comprehensive Requirement

MS students in Applied Developmental Psychology complete the comprehensive examination through completion and approval of a formal Capstone Proposal Presentation, which is completed as an assignment in HHD 2316 ADP Professional Seminar.