Doctor of Philososphy [Ph.D] [Clinical Developmental Psychology] From University of Vermont

Training in this Clinical Developmental Psychology Program from The University of Vermont is based on the following principles:

• Maladaptive functioning or disorder results from a failure to successfully negotiate developmentally-appropriate tasks;

• The behavioral difficulties resulting from a particular stressor may differ depending on when the stressor happens;

• Knowledge of normal developmental processes is essential for understanding the emergence of a disorder, associated impairments, and accumulating comorbidities over time;

• Understanding adaptation over the life course requires the integration of several scientific traditions, including developmental psychology and clinical psychology.

Second Year Project and Dissertation

For both the second-year project (equivalent to a master?s thesis) and dissertation, clinical/developmental program students must complete a project that is grounded in a developmental psychopathology perspective in theory, design, and/or analyses.?

Committees for these defenses must include at least one faculty with a primary appointment in the clinical psychology program and one faculty with a primary appointment in the developmental psychology program.?

Careers

Psychology majors are especially well-equipped to move into a wide range of careers after graduation. Because students in our program have acquired in-depth knowledge about why people think, feel, and behave as they do, the skills and knowledge they acquire are applicable to any vocation and are highly valued by employers.

Psychologists traditionally study both normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat patients with mental and emotional problems. They also concentrate on behaviors that affect the mental and emotional health and mental functioning of healthy human beings. For example, they work with business executives, performers, and athletes to reduce stress and improve performance. They advise lawyers on jury selection and collaborate with educators on school reform. Psychologists are Involved in all aspects of our fast-paced world.