Mission Statement/Training Philosophy
The Developmental Psychology program at the CUNY Graduate Center provides students with the theoretical, conceptual, and methodological tools necessary to study and understand human development – that is, the interactive dynamic changes of persons, groups, communities and societies over time. The primary goal of the program is to produce rigorous, competent, creative researchers with expertise in developmental theory, principles, methodology and research. We seek to (a) instill in our students an understanding of developmental science and the complexity of human development; (b) promote human welfare, address social issues and serve society at large by linking research to its practical applications; (c) foster student growth and development as scholars; and (d) prepare students to serve professionally in academic and applied domains. This mission comes in the context of the larger Graduate Center mission of serving its diverse student population.