She received her BS in psychology from the University of Richmond and her MA and PhD in clinical psychology from Duke University. After completing her clinical internship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1999, she returned to her alma mater where she teaches courses in Child Development, Developmental Psychopathology, and Research Methods. Dr. Bagwell's research interests are in the area of children's peer and friendship relations and the development of externalizing behavior problems, such as aggression and ADHD. She has served as the faculty advisor for Richmond's chapter of Psi Chi since 2000.