Please help us to publicize our program to potential students. Some of our program's characteristics are described below, and further information about the program, our faculty, and our current students (and their accomplishments) can be found at the internet address:
www.georgetown.edu/departments/psychology.
Students in our doctoral program concentrate either in Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience or in Human Development and Public Policy. Both concentrations lead to a Ph.D. in Psychology. A joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Master's Degree in Public Policy is also offered in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Policy Institute. This is the only such joint degree program in the country.
The concentration in *Lifespan Cognitive Neuroscience* combines a focus on cognitive and developmental psychology with a solid background in neuroscience. This program maintains close ties with the Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, housed within the G. U. Medical Center, and also with the PhD. program in the Department of Linguistics on the main campus.
The concentration in *Human Development and Public Policy* integrates (a) the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical work that defines developmental science, (b) instruction in policy development, implementation, and analysis and evaluation, and (c) direct experience in applying scientific knowledge to policy issues affecting human development. Current students in this area are studying the developmental effects of child care, Head Start, and state pre-K programs; children and the media, including new media; family structure and child development, and adolescent outcomes and family involvement in the juvenile justice system. Since we are located in the nation's capital, our program is uniquely situated to offer students opportunities for direct links with scholars and programs involved in policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
Students in both concentrations take our four developmental core courses together, and they present their research in our weekly "developmental lunch" seminars. As a result, some students are developing "hybrid" interests that span both tracks. Our program is on its way to producing a unique group of developmental scientists who appreciate how the study of lifespan cognitive neuroscience can inform, and be informed by, public policy issues.
Depending upon the student's concentration and career interests, she or he might pursue any of a wide variety of career paths. For example, one might seek an academic position within a college or university department of psychology, sociology, public health, communications, or interdisciplinary program in human development or public policy. Alternatively, one might move into the private or non-profit sector, through a position in a research institute, foundation, or medical facility, or into policy-related work within government agencies, research firms, or national organizations.
Within the Georgetown University Psychology Department, we are committed to the establishment and maintenance of a racially and ethnically diverse academic and professional environment, and so are especially interested to identify promising minority students, including African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. Our graduate program in Developmental Science offers full financial support, in the form of a teaching or research assistantship, for four years to all matriculated students who maintain a satisfactory record of performance while completing their studies here. Students are also eligible for University Fellowships and, for those from underrepresented groups, the Patrick Healy Fellowship.
Please contact Darlene Howard with questions: howardd@georgetown.edu.
-- Darlene V. Howard, Ph. D. Davis Family Distinguished Professor of Psychology Co-Director, Graduate Program in Developmental Science 301A White Gravenor Bldg. Georgetown University Washington, D. C. 20057-1001 howardd@georgetown.edu 202-687-4271 (phone) 202-687-6050 (fax) http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/howardd/
