The Institute of Child Development Department of Child Psychology (CPsy) at the University of Minnesota, has long been a premier center of scholarship, teaching, and outreach devoted to the understanding and fostering of child development. Coursework and research activities focus primarily on the central cognitive, emotional, and psychological processes that underlie the development of infants, children, and youth. Founded in 1925, the Institute is one of the oldest centers for the study of children's development in the United States.

Early childhood education has been linked to the efforts of the Institute since its beginning. The Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School, also in operation since 1925, is housed at the Institute. The Shirley G. Moore Laboratory Nursery School provides model training experiences for teachers of young children at both graduate and undergraduate levels and serves as an active center of child study and research.

The Institute has provided growing space for several centers as they developed, among them the Children, Youth and Family Consortium (CYFC), the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED), and the Irving B. Harris Training Center for Infant and Toddler Development, now a component of CEED (Harris Programs). See related sites for more information about other associated programs and affiliated centers.

Internship opportunities

CPSY 4996—Field Study in Child Psychology

Graduate education

Ph.D. in child psychology

Certificate in applied developmental psychology

Certificate in early childhood policy

M.Ed./initial licensure in early childhood and early childhood special education

Related minors

Doctoral minor in interpersonal relationships research (IREL)

Graduate minor in cognitive sciences

Undergraduate education

B.A. in child psychology

B.S. in child psychology

B.S. in early childhood education foundations

How to apply

About the program

Special programs for undergraduates in child psychology

Undergraduate home page

Contact us

Danielle Bordeleau
Associate director, graduate studies
612-625-9778
borde021@umn.edu

Steven R. Yussen
Director of undergraduate studies
612-626-9844
syussen@umn.edu

map to Child Development

Children playing at the Shirley G. Moore Lab School.