Dr. Tracy K Larson
About Dr. Tracy K Larson
Dr. Tracy K. Larson is an experienced educator and psychologist currently serving as an Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Chatham University. She specializes in early childhood development and has held various roles in educational and psychological settings since 2005.
Work at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Dr. Tracy K Larson serves as Auxiliary Faculty at The L.E.N.D. Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She has been in this role since 2021. In addition to her faculty position, she has previously worked as a Psychologist for the HealthyCHILD program from 2005 to 2009. Her involvement in these roles emphasizes her commitment to child development and healthcare.
Education and Expertise
Dr. Larson holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Special Education and Early Intervention from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied from 2017 to 2021. She also earned a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Child Psychology from Duquesne University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology. Her undergraduate studies include a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from La Roche University.
Background
Dr. Larson's early life included being born to teen parents and placed in foster care before being adopted at 11 months old. She faced academic challenges during her schooling, including variable grades and behavioral issues, but successfully graduated and pursued higher education. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three children.
Teaching and Curriculum Development
Dr. Larson has been actively involved in teaching at the University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University. She instructs courses such as EDUC 2008/HHD 2503, focusing on developmental pathways, and HHD 1025, which addresses contemporary issues in communities. Additionally, she teaches HHD 2265, which trains pre-service teachers in creating safe psychological spaces for learning. Her curriculum development includes qualitative investigations of the social lives of young children.
Professional Experience
Dr. Larson has extensive experience in various educational and psychological roles. She has worked as a Lead Psychologist for HealthyCHILD/HealthyInfants/HealthyFamilies/HealthySchools at the University of Pittsburgh from 2009 to 2019 and has served as the Director of these programs since 2012. Her earlier roles include positions as a Mobile Therapist and Behavior Specialist at Wesley Family Services and as a School Psychologist Intern at Holy Family Institute.