Psychological Development
Unravel the mystery of the mind and how the human brain develops from day one. Choose to focus your studies on children and youth development, or grow your expertise on adults and aging. This specialization will provide you with real-world experience through practical and research opportunities on campus and in the community.
Courses
The Specialization in Psychological Development is open to students in the single- and joint major Honours degree programs and is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in developmental psychology and associated fields (e.g., graduate work with a specialization in developmental psychology, health care, social work, recreation or developmental services, child protection). This specialization provides students with course options designed for an in-depth examination of theoretical, empirical, methodological, and practical approaches to development related topics. Students who have fulfilled the requirements for an Honours degree in Psychology may graduate with a Specialization in Psychological Development if they have successfully completed the following 4.5 credits:
0.5 PSYC credit consisting of:
- PSYC 2550H: Theories of human development
1.0 PSYC credit from:
- PSYC 3500H (or 2500H): Child Development
- PSYC 3510H: Development of Adolescents and Young Adults
- PSYC 3550H: Adult Development and Aging: Psychosocial Perspectives*
3.0 PSYC credits from:
- PSYC 3440H: Aging and Cognition
- PSYC 3550H: Adult Development and Aging: Psychosocial Perspectives*
- PSYC 3560H: Family Development
- PSYC 3590H: Psychology of Education
- PSYC 4150H (3530H): Atypical Development
- PSYC 4530H: Cross-Cultural Human Development
- PSYC 4531H: Cross-Cultural Psychology and Family Development
- PSYC 4560H: Relationships and Health
- PSYC 4570H: Language and Language Impairment
- PSYC 4580H: Developmental Psychopathology and the School System
- PSYC 4590H: Cognition and Instruction
- PSYC 4850H: Applied Psychological Research Placement in Aging
- Reading courses (PSYC 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H, 4900Y, 4901H, 4902H)
- Practicum courses (PSYC 3801H, 3802H, 4801H, 4802H)
- Thesis courses (PSYC 4010Y/4020D) primarily focused on development
*may only count toward one list
Degrees Offered:
- B.A. (Honours)
- B.Sc. (Honours)
Locations:
- Durham GTA
- Peterborough
Degree:
Resume Boosters:
- Take a practica to be a part of research both on campus and off campus.
- Aging and conditions of aging research placements available at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science.
- Living Lab experience – part of research but you’re interacting with real life people in applied real world setting. Still research that is being conducted, that has applications for treatment and implications.

Career Paths:
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Police Officer
Police officers protect the public, detect and prevent crime and perform other activities directed at maintaining law and order. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments. This unit group includes railway police.
Career Opportunities
- Therapist
- Counsellor
- Crisis Intervention Officer
- Police Officer
- Behaviour Analyst
- Rehabilitation Advisor
- Social Worker
- Human Resources
- Research Analyst
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
Program Requirements:
- A minimum 70% overall final average
- ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%
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