About Applied Developmental Psychology in University of Pittsburgh

The Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) programs at the Pitt School of Education emphasize the correlation between research and practice in the promotion of positive outcomes in human development for children, youth, and families.

By completing our ADP programs, you will become an expert in applying knowledge of child development and evidence-based practices to address real-world problems in real-world settings. You will also become an expert in interdisciplinary collaboration as you design, implement, and evaluate innovative intervention programs.

There are many employment opportunities in the field. There is a growing need for trained professionals at community-based mental health agencies, K-12 schools, healthcare settings, and out-of-school settings. At the doctoral level, employment opportunities exist at universities, research organizations, and government agencies.

Who You Will Become

Pitt School of Education HHD students will embrace the primacy of developing responsive relationships with faculty and community partners as the basis for personal growth, networking, and career success.  As students, you will become…

• Future leaders in your chosen specializations by modeling ethical behavior and equitable professional practices
• Committed professionals in Exercise Science, Health and Wellness Promotion, and Physiology (e.g. wellness, exercise prescription, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, sports performance, prevention of chronic disease)
• Specialized professionals in Applied Developmental Psychology with competencies in both applied service and applied research (e.g. children with special healthcare needs-child life, behavioral health, infant mental health, child and youth development, program evaluation, early childhood intervention)
• Researchers who inform recommended practices for promoting health and development
• Faculty who educate the next generation of health and development professionals
• Committed professionals who understand the importance of enlightened public policies
• Engaged professionals who use social and political advocacy as a tool for ensuring the human rights of our most vulnerable citizens

• Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). We encourage you to complete the SRAR rather than sending a transcript to improve application processing time. Please note that we will compare your SRAR to your official high school transcript if you enroll at Pitt. Accuracy in completing the SRAR is very important. Discrepancies and misrepresentations could result in the Admissions Committee revoking your admissions decision.
• Original or certified, official secondary school records from grades 9-11 (transcripts, marksheets, certificates, examination results, etc.) and any national/state examination results required in your country. You will also need to send literal translations of your records if they are not in English. If your secondary record only includes grades 10-12, please submit the third year of your middle school transcript. Note: Students may be required to complete a transcript evaluation.
  • If you have a General Education Diploma (GED) email the Admissions Office pitt.admissions@pitt.edu about your options. In some cases the GED is not accepted.

English Language Requirements

• For the Pittsburgh campus, a 100 or higher TOEFL composite score with subscores of 21 or higher is considered competitive, a 7.0 IELTS with subscores of 6.0 or higher, or a 120 or higher Duolingo score.

  Applicants are reviewed holistically, however, and those with a 95-99 TOEFL and a solid academic record will be given strong consideration in the admissions process for the Pittsburgh campus. Applicants with TOEFL scores between 80-94 (6.5 IELTS) will most often be considered for admission to a regional campus at Bradford, Greensburg or Johnstown. We recommend that students rank the campuses on their admission application in order of preference.

University of Pittsburgh Highlights

University of Pittsburgh Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance varies depending on whether the candidate has applied to graduate or undergraduate programmes, as well as the necessary fees that must be paid. The tuition charge varies according to the programme to which one has applied. The following is a breakdown of expenses in the form of an expected budget for international students interested in studying in the United States.

Undergraduate Cost of living (Per year)

Graduate students Cost of Attendance (Per year)