The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology offered by VCU prepares students for basic or applied research and includes two specialty areas: developmental psychology and social psychology. The concentration in developmental psychology prioritizes research and applied skills in human development, with an emphasis on development in context. Students conduct research and do applied work in university laboratories as well as various community, school and other applied settings. They focus on a variety of ages and stages (particularly children and adolescents) and populations (e.g., ethnic-racial minorities, marginalized youth, parents, persons with special health care needs). VCU trains students for careers in academic teaching and research settings and for professional work in applied settings. Applied developmental psychologists work in a variety of settings and programs, for example community intervention agents, schools, family service providers, nonprofit agencies, state and national government entities, health care settings, and research organizations. Developmental psychologists do not offer counseling or clinical therapy services.
Majors
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology
Which department am I in?
College of Humanities and Sciences
Study options
Full Time
(8 Semesters)
Tuition fees
$29,470.00 (24,86,500)
per year
Food and housing - 19,724 Annual
Application deadline
01/12/2026
Start date
August 2027
Venue
Virginia Commonwealth University- Monroe Park Campus
707 W. Broad St.,
Richmond,
Virginia,
23284, United States
Entry requirements
For international students
Applicants must have graduated with a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, but not necessarily with a major in psychology.Applicants must present 18 semester hours of undergraduate course work in psychology. This is the minimal, but not optimal, number of hours for an applicant to be considered for admission. Included must be each of the following courses: general psychology, statistics and experimental psychology. Exceptionally well-qualified applicants with less than a major in psychology, or applicants whose undergraduate work is considered outdated by the admissions committee, may be advised to complete some additional undergraduate courses at the beginning of their graduate study program.Applicants must present an undergraduate record indicating superior academic potential.Three letters of recommendation from previous instructors are required.A personal interview may be required at the discretion of the department.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.