Dear colleagues,
The Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) is currently accepting applications for Fall 2026.
The Psychology Department at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) is considered one of the best in the country and has been consistently rated in the top 10 psychology departments over the last 20 years.
The program in Developmental Psychology represents interests in many areas of development. Faculty and students focusing on the area of cognitive and linguistic development conduct research exploring cognition from infancy to adulthood, language acquisition, conceptual development, and brain development. Faculty and students focusing on the areas of social and emotional development conduct research on parenting, family relationships, peers, as well as school achievement and developmental psychopathology. Across areas, there is a concern with the underlying biological substrates of development and the role of social context.
Urbana-Champaign, IL, is considered one of the best college towns in the Midwest, offering an affordable and vibrant community.
Several faculty members are actively recruiting prospective doctoral students into their labs for the Fall of 2026, including Dr. Caroline Kelsey.
Dr. Caroline Kelsey directs The Study of Early Experiences on Development (SEED) Lab and studies infant brain and behavioral development.
For a complete list of faculty accepting students in the developmental area, please visit this website: Developmental Psychology.
If interested, please visit the graduate admissions page: Psychology PhD Application Information | Department of Psychology | Illinois
Applications for the Fall 2026 cycle in the developmental area are due Monday, December 1st, 2025.