Some courses look at development within a specific age range. These courses may consider the physical, motor, emotional and linguistic development of children throughout a specific period. For instance topics may focus on early developmental issues (such as acquiring language and motor skills), or on adolescent development (such as the specific issues and changes that occur as the child becomes a teenager). These courses often consider theories as they apply to the age group as well as normal developmental milestones and family and cultural influences.
Graduate courses that look at the psychological development of children often focus on the difference between normal development and children who develop mental illness. For instance, a course on psychopathology will look at the different factors that shape a child's development and may cause problems with normal growth. Such courses look at both the environmental as well as biological components that lead to mental health problems in children, as well as the types of medication and treatment for children facing these types of challenges.
Developmental theory is an aspect of child development that may be the focus of a graduate level course. These types of classes focus on cognitive development, learning theories, theories of temperament and personality as well as language and culture. Theorists studied in such courses typically include: Piaget, Werner, Freud, Skinner, Bandura, Bowlby and Vygotsky.
As part of a graduate course, much of the reading material may concentrate on the original writings of these theorists as well as practical work. Students may observe child behavior in conjunction with classroom lectures, discussions and readings.
Other areas of focus relate to the physiological development of children. Graduate courses may look into neurological development, specifically as it relates to child psychology. These courses are more likely to be found in psychology programs. Neuropsychology classes look at how human behavior is related to brain functions, and may concentrate on the anatomy of the brain and the neurological connection to areas such as language, perception, memory, and behavior as well as the connection with developmental disabilities.
Cognitive psychology courses may look at the development of thought processes in problem solving and reasoning, as well as memory, language and thought in children.