Child Psychology Degree

Developmental psychology is an area within psychology that studies the psychological changes and developments that occur over the course of a person’s life. Child psychology is also a subfield of psychology that is the study of the mental and social development and behaviors among children. Like other psychologists, child psychologists try to change behaviors by counseling and treating children to improve mental health. In order to practice developmental and child psychology it is necessary to have at least a Master or PhD degree in the subject.

Developmental and Child Psychology Degrees and Programs
Various degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels can be found in the area of developmental and child psychology. In order to be allowed to practice child psychology, a specialized degree is required. To launch you career as a child psychologist you will need to enroll in a Bachelor program. Some common undergraduate programs are:

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology

After completing the 4 year Bachelor degree, it is important to enroll in a related Master’s program or a Master’s program that leads to a PhD degree. There are two types of doctoral programs available to choose from:


With a child psychology degree you can help nurture children through the aging process.
Child Psychology Degree

A PhD degree is suitable for those who intend to teach or conduct research in the field of psychology. A PsyD degree is useful for someone who wants to practice psychology but does not want to carry out research. Specialties within child psychology include school psychology and clinical psychology. A postgraduate and doctoral degree in psychology can help you specialize in developmental and child psychology. Some programs are specifically designed keeping that in mind, such as the Master in Developmental and Child Psychology.

Areas of Study in Developmental and Child Psychology
The curriculum of a program that teaches child psychology covers topics such as:

  • Psychological growth and development
  • Cognition
  • Perception
  • Personality development
  • Emotional development from infancy to adolescence
  • Research methods
  • Assessment methods for children at different ages
  • Child and adolescent behavior therapy
  • Child counseling
  • Child psychopathology
  • Social development of children

Careers for Developmental and Child Psychologists
There are numerous careers available related to child psychology for those who have formal training in the subject. Someone with an Associate degree in psychology could find employment in agencies dealing with child care or social work. A Bachelor degree holder could find a job as a youth worker, child care counselor or a juvenile probation officer. With a doctoral degree, you can find employment as a licensed child psychologist. Places of employment include schools, pediatric hospitals and clinics. Daycare and child development centers also employ developmental and child psychology experts. Child psychologists working in schools can design and monitor child development programs, as well as work with troubled children to improve behavior and mental well-being. Depending on the level of educational qualification, child psychologists can earn between 64,000 – 85,000 US dollars. School psychologists earn between 36,000 – 70,000 US dollars.

How Long Will It Take to Get a Child Psychology Degree?

Many schools in the US, such as Brandman University and Southern Hampshire University, are offering degrees in Child Psychology. Students can opt for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology, or a 1-2 years Master of Science (M.S) in Child and Adolescent Development Psychology. Students can also enroll in a 4-5 year Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Developmental Psychology.

Child Psychology Degree Requirements

In order to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology/Adolescent Learning, students will generally have to complete 120 credits in total and those opting for the Master of Science (M.S) in Child and Adolescent Development Psychology will have to complete around 36 credits. They have to study modules like Preferred Behavior Enhancement, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Child Development, Psychology of Learning and Pediatric Neuropsychology.

How Much Can I Earn with a Child Psychology Degree?

Psychologists made $79,010 annually in median income in the year 2018. 181,700 people were working in the field in the US in 2018. It is predicted that employment opportunities will increase by 14% from 2018 to 2028 for Psychologists. This data has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What are the areas of study of the Child Psychology degree programs?

A:The areas of study for the Child Psychology degree program include Psychological growth and development, Cognition, Perception, Personality development, Emotional development from infancy to adolescence, Research methods, Assessment methods for children at different ages, Child and adolescent behavior therapy, Child counseling, Child psychopathology and Social development of children.

Q:How much can Child Psychologists earn?

A:Child Psychologists can easily earn 64,000 - 85,000 US dollars annually. However, with ample experience you can get even greater salaries.

Q:Can i get the job as a licensed Child Psychologist with the Master in Childhood Developmental Psychology degree?

A:You also need to do the PhD program after the Master in Childhood developmental Psychology to be a licensed Child Psychologist.

Q:What are the common careers you can have with a Child Psychology Masters?

A:With a Child Psychology Masters, you can work privately as self employed and with clinics as a psychologist. Some also work in mental health institutes, rehabilitation centers and private institutes.

Q:How to become a Child Developmental Psychologist through Capella University?

A:To become a Child Developmental Psychologist you may opt for the Bachelors in Psychology degree program offered at the Capella University.

Q:What is Developmental and Child Psychology Abnormal Study?

A:The Abnormal Psychology course is designed to make you understand the sociocultural, biological as well as psychological forces so that one's behavior can be comprehended. Some of the highlights of the Abnormal Psychology course relate to the classification, treating and assessment procedure of the different irregularities, such as anxiety, mood disorder, sexual pressure, schizophrenia, substance abuse, eating problems and also the various impulse control disorders.

Q:Are there any specific Pediatric Development Degree programs related to nutrition?

A:Yes, there are pediatric development degree programs focusing on nutrition of children. One of the best Clinical Pediatric Nutrition program is offered by the Indiana University School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.

Q:Can you name any online schools for child development programs?

A:There are numerous schools offering online certificates, associate and graduate level degrees to students in Development and Child Psychology. Students can research upon the various schools listed on our website and choose the one that suits their educational requirements the most.

Q:What jobs can individuals get with the Bachelor of Science in Child Development degree?

A:There are numerous organizations that require the services of individuals with bachelors degree in child development. Some of the types of jobs that can be pursued with this degree include: early childhood educator, early childhood special educator, research and curriculum developer, student affairs counselor, parent child educator, family and consumer counselor, schools administrator, and many more.

Q:What is the admission criteria for enrollment in graduate level Online Developmental and Child Psychology Degrees?

A:Students who wish to enroll in a master’s degree in developmental and child psychology degree must fulfill the following general admission requirements: competed high school studies, must possess a bachelor degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.5, and must have studies courses such as liberal sciences, basic psychology, and statistics of psychological research. Students are also recommended to submit letters of recommendation and a portfolio.

Q:Are Child Psychology graduate degrees offered online?

A:Yes. Child Psychologist graduate degrees are being offered online by a number of credited institutions. Prospective students interested in pursuing career in this field are advised to search our website and the internet for more information on these institutions. Capella University offers an extensive program online which covers every aspect of the subject in detail.

Q:Can you please tell me what are the contents of the Learning and Conditioning course of the online schools for childhood development and management?

A:The online schools for Childhood Development and Management have a 3 credits worth course titled Learning and Conditioning. This course aims to tech the students the various aspects of classical conditioning, operant conditioning as well as the application of both these conditioning in real life. This course also focuses on the learning development of the child's mind.

Q:Reading about child psychologist place of employment mentioned APA. What is the purpose of this organization?

A:APA would be mentioned when searching for child psychologist place of employment. APA stands for American Psychological Association. This association is responsible for representing and promoting the profession of Psychology all over the world. It is one of the biggest organizations that have more than hundred and fifty thousand members worldwide. APA is committed to improving lives through creation and communications.

Q:Can you tell me child psychology degree requirements?

A:The degree requirements for a child psychology program will depend on the particular school and the degree level you are pursuing. Students who are applying for a bachelor's or an associate degree should have a high school diploma while master's student will need to have a four year bachelor's degree.

Q:Can you give me information on child psychology degree courses?

A:The courses that you will come across in a child psychology degree program will depend on which school you enrolled into. However generally speaking some of the courses that you will study include: Emotional development from infancy to adolescence, Personality development, Research methods, Child psychopathology and Child and adolescent behavior therapy.

Q:Can you give me some information about developmental and child psychology?

A:Developmental and child psychology is the scientific study of growth in children and young adults. This is a major branch of psychology and is pursued by many students as specialization. Developmental psychology deals with issues relate growth, behavior, cognitive influences, and learning stages. Child psychologists work towards helping children with development issues and cognitive development.

Q:Is a child psychology degree online the same as a developmental psychology degree?

A:Yes, both academic areas are the same. Child psychology and developmental psychology are major branches of the field and are popularly pursued by students worldwide. These programs aim at preparing students for the role of professional psychologists who help cater to developmental issues and behavioral issues faced by children. One can pursue child psychology degrees at undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate level.

Q:With a degree of clinical child psychologist, I can make how much in the Professional field?

A:According to the US bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income of psychologists is $68,640. However, eh exact income level you can make will depend upon your qualifications, experience, state, license, and specialty area. Entry level professionals usually make less that the above mentioned salary figures. Your work experience in the field will help increase your income potential with the passage of time.

Q:Are online child psychology degrees offered at all online schools?

A:Not necessarily will you find these degrees at all online schools. There are many institutes that have taking online education as an additional platform to their current services. You will have to conduct a search to find out what schools are offering this program online. Make sure you check the accreditation of the program as well as the school before enrollment.

Q:Should I opt for child psychology degrees at master level, or should I start working with the bachelor degree I already have?

A:If you want to work at entry level and wish to get more work experience, you can apply for jobs with a bachelor degree in child psychology. On the other hand, if you want to qualify for more high paying jobs in the field of psychology, having a masters or doctoral degree is a must.Child Psychology Degrees

Q:What is Developmental and Child Psychology Degrees?

A:Developmental psychology is an area within psychology that studies the psychological changes and developments that occur over the course of a person's life. Child psychology is also a sub-field of psychology that is the study of the mental and social development and behaviors among children. In order to be allowed to practice child psychology, a specialized degree is required. To launch you career as a child psychologist you will need to enroll in a Bachelor program and pursue a developmental and child psychology degree.

Q:Can i study child development or child psychology online?

A:Yes, you can study child development courses and child psychology courses online. Online education has gained a lot of popularity among students due to ease and convenience. You can enroll in such programs and study without having to worry about attending classes at a campus. For more information, feel free to take a look at our page.

Q:After a masters in childhood development should I do PhD?

A:If you are interested in carrying out research in childhood development, the best option for you is to go for a doctorate program. With a doctoral degree, you can become a licensed child psychologist. However, you can also look at other career options in childhood development such as youth worker, child counselor, or a juvenile probation officer.

Q:Can you give me information on best PhD programs in child development for working professionals?

A:If you are looking for best PhD programs in child development for working professionals, you will need to keep in mind certain factors. One important factor is the accreditation, which determines your quality of education, and also the value of your degree. As a working professional, you may consider online programs, or those with a flexible schedule. It is also good to know the curriculum of program beforehand.

Q:Developmental and child psychology degrees are offered at what levels of post-secondary education?

A:Individuals interested in pursuing careers in development psychology must have a degree in this field. Colleges are offering developmental and child psychology degrees at associate, bachelor, masters, and doctorate level. The program offerings and admission requirements may vary from place to place. Take a look at our page for more information.

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