Developmental Science
Department of Psychology • Florida International University

The Applied Developmental Science (ADS) Specialization

The focus of the Applied Developmental Science specialization (ADS) is on the use of research and application to promote positive development across the lifespan. Applied developmental scientists adopt the view that positive individual development and family functioning is a combined and interactive product of biology and the physical and social environments that continuously evolve and change over time. The applied developmental science orientation emphasizes a focus on systematic and successive changes within human systems that occur across the lifespan. This assumption stresses the importance of understanding normative and atypical processes as they emerge within different developmental periods and across diverse physical and cultural settings. Drawing on the conceptual base provided by the emerging field of Applied Developmental Science, the applied developmental science orientation is committed to the use of descriptive and explanatory knowledge about changes within human systems that occur across the lifespan in developing, implementing and evaluating preventive, treatment, and/or enhancing interventions. Such interventions are intended to prevent negative developmental outcomes and/or restore and promote positive developmental outcomes.

Concurrent Credentialing Option

Within the Applied Developmental Science specialization (ADS), students may choose the Concurrent Credentialing Option  for integrating application into their developmental training. The are two concurrent credentialing tracks available within this option, The Master in Counseling Psychology offers credentialing that leads to licensing as a Mental Health Counselor in  the State of Florida track and the Applied Behavior Analysis track offers credentialing that leads to Florida State Certification in Behavior Analysis (CBA), and National Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA). Depending upon specific credentialing requirements, students choosing these tracks may incur additional requirements beyond those that must be fulfilled in completing the doctoral degree. That is, students who elect either of these tracks (or both) are responsible for fulfilling all of the doctoral degree requirements.

The Masters in Counseling Psychology track

Within the Concurrent Credentialing Option, students in the Master in Counseling Psychology track work concurrently on fulfilling the requirements for the doctoral degree in life span developmental psychology and the requirements for licensing as a Mental Health Counselor  in  the State of Florida. These requirements are fulfilled through enrollment in courses offered by the Psychology Department. The practice of mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, psychotherapy, counseling, behavior modification, consultation, client-centered advocacy, crisis intervention, and the provision of needed information and education to clients. The practice of mental health counseling may also include clinical research into more effective psychotherapeutic modalities for the treatment and prevention of such conditions. To find out more about the Masters in Counseling Psychology Program please visit their webpage.

The Applied Behavior Analysis track