A doctoral program exploring the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of human development within the context of culture, education, and social policy.
With the freedom to craft an individualized plan of study, the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development program allows students to explore their interests and graduate prepared for a career in academic research.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
Our program prepares graduates for careers as university professors and researchers. Significant graduate-level preparation in human development or a master’s degree is recommended but not required for admission. Core areas of focus include developmental psychology, cognitive development, development in cultural contexts, and research design and analysis.
Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 courses
Culminating experiencePreliminary (candidacy) examination, dissertation proposal, doctoral dissertation
- Full-Time
This Ph.D. program combines the study of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of human development considered within cultural contexts and relevant to social policies. Penn GSE’s commitment to urban education as well as its West Philadelphia setting offers students the opportunity to create a specialized program of study that leads to an enriched understanding of the diverse perspectives of human development across the lifespan. Students create an individualized program of study in close consultation with an academic advisor. Students are encouraged to take an interdisciplinary approach to human development and may take courses in other schools and departments at Penn.
Curriculum
Each student creates their own program of study in consultation with a faculty mentor. Most students are required to take these 4 courses: Human Development, Adolescent Development, Personality & Social Development, and Cognitive Development. These courses may be waived with permission from a faculty advisor. Up to eight course units may be transferred from a master's program.
For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Development Ph.D. program in the University Catalog.
Our Faculty
Our Graduates
Graduates go on to take tenure track positions at research universities, postdoctoral fellowships, as well as research and leadership positions at nonprofit institutions.
Alumni Careers
- Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Research for the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, Duke University
- Assistant Professor, University of Virginia Curry School of Education
- Instructor, Harvard Medical School
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University
- Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
- Senior Project Administrator, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers-Camden
- Assistant Professor, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Assistant Professor, Cal State San Marcos
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Purdue University
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard School of Public Health
- Assistant Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Principal Consultant, DiversiFYI Consulting;
Admissions & Financial Aid
Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements, as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.
Contact us if you have any questions about the program.
Financial Aid
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6415
admissions@gse.upenn.edu
finaid@gse.upenn.edu
Dominic Homac
Administrative Coordinator
homacd@upenn.edu
Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.
All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
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