Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology & Education
Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology & Education Overview
Improve student success through innovative approaches to learning and teaching
The Developmental Psychology and Education program (DPE) offers studies leading to the MA, MEd, and PhD degrees. Students have an opportunity to construct an overall perspective on developmental psychology and human development and their implications for practice with children in educational and other applied settings.
Students take foundation courses in human development and research methodology in consultation with their advisor.
Elective courses cover a range of areas including cognitive, social, and emotional development; cognition and instruction (language, literacy, and mathematics); special education and adaptive instruction; developmental neuroscience; advanced research methodology and evaluation; and early childhood policy and programs, including child care.
The MA DPE program is primarily for students who wish to pursue a career in research, university or community college teaching, and related activities.
For detailed information about the program, please consult the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.
At a Glance
Study Options
Full-time (3 sessions, 1 year)
Coursework & Masters Thesis
Funding and Tuition
For current information about tuition fees, funding, and financial support, visit Tuition & Financial Support.
Deadlines
Applications are now closed for a Fall 2025 start.
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Why I Chose Applied Psychology & Human Development
Nivatha Moothathamby (Master of Arts 2021)
PhD student in Developmental Psychology and Education
"My journey at OISE has been filled with establishing positive and supportive relationships, learning the nuances of psychology and education, and understanding my role as a scholar and an activist. As a Tamil-Canadian, I come from a community that has faced racial injustices and intergenerational trauma. The Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development has provided me with academic resources and a community to explore and expand on these parts of my identity. Overall, OISE’s deep commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity is what drew me to apply. I found my place here."
MA in Developmental Psychology & Education Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements
Please visit the OISE Admissions website for detailed information about the application process, including general minimum admission requirements and supporting documents.
Program-Specific Information (Minimum Admission Requirements)
- Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.
- An appropriate bachelor’s degree in psychology or equivalent with standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in the final year or over senior courses.
- Although most applicants will have a degree in psychology, applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree in cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, or a helping profession such as occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, nursing, social work, or another discipline relevant to their specific program of study are also eligible to apply for admission.
Required Supporting Documents
All applicants must submit:
- Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended
- Three letters of reference (two academic and one professional)
- A résumé that provides clear and complete information about the applicant's work or field experience related to their proposed studies
- Applicants are required to answer faculty questions which are your opportunity to describe your past experiences related to the program to which you are applying and how those experiences led to your current interests in graduate studies in this area. When answering please indicate:
- What are your total months of research experience.
- Is this program is your first choice.
- Who is the supervisor you would like to work with?
- What is the field of research you are interested in?
Additional Program Information
Coursework
Students must complete 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- APD1209H Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in Human Development and Applied Psychology (0.5 FCE)
- JOI1288H Intermediate Statistics and Research Design (RM) (0.5 FCE)
- Two elective courses (1.0 FCE total) chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, which may include APD2252H Individual Reading and Research (0.5 FCE).
- Students who have not taken a previous course in human development are required to take APD1201H Child and Adolescent Development (0.5 FCE) or an equivalent.
- In addition to their required 2.0 FCEs, students who have not taken a previous course in statistics are required to take JOI1287H Introduction to Applied Statistics or an equivalent course.
Collaborative Specializations provide students with a the opportunity to explore a novel interdisciplinary area or special development that crosses a number of disciplines.
Collaborative specializations are available with the MA in Developmental Psychology & Education with the following program:
- Neuroscience
- For graduate students and doctoral fellows who would like to increase their versatility for career development through the scientific study of the nervous system.
What is the difference between the MA nd MEd degree in Developmental Psychology & Education? I am currently a 4th year at UofT majoring in Psychology. My goal is to work with children, I initially thought that Masters in DPE would result in a Counselling degree. Could you explain the main differences between the MA and Med?
The DPE MA program is a 1- year program and is for those who wish primarily to pursue a career in research, university or community college teaching, and related activities.
The DPE MEd program 1.5 years and is for those who wish to construct an overall perspective of developmental psychology, human development and mental health by integrating theory and practice. Students will understand the implications of these areas for practice with children in educational and other applied settings.
I have a degree in Honors Child Development is this an equivalent to psychology? Or do I need a psychology degree?
The minimum admission requirements for the DPE MA program Applicants must have an appropriate bachelor's degree with the equivalent of a University of Toronto A– or better. Although most applicants will have a degree in psychology, applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree in cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, or a helping profession such as occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, nursing, social work, or another discipline relevant to their specific program of study are also eligible to apply for admission.
Program Chair: Dr. Michal Perlman
Program Faculty: Dr. Esther Geva, Dr. Angela Pyle, Dr. Chloe Hamza, Dr. Eunice Jang, Dr. Kaja Jasinska, Dr. Lisa Dack, Dr. Michel Ferrari, Dr. Patricia Ganea, Dr. Zachary Hawes, Dr. Alexandra Makos, Dr. Rhonda Martinussen, Dr. Michal Perlman, Dr. Tracy Solomon, Dr. Richard Volpe, Dr. Mahshid Azimi-Bolourian, Dr. Kang Lee, Dr. Anne-Claude Bedard, Dr. Linda Iwenofu, Dr. Earl Woodruff, Dr. Rosalina De Sa, Dr. Cynthia Waugh, Dr. Becky Chen, Dr. Mark Wade, Dr. Laurie Faith, Dr. Jennifer Jenkins
Questions? Please email us at oise.aphd@utoronto.ca
Program Coordinator:
Puja Variawa
puja.variawa@utoronto.ca
Ready to join one of the world’s top universities?
Take the next step in your academic journey and start your application to graduate studies at OISE.
