On the master’s level, students can choose between enrolling in a Master’s of Arts (MA) or Master’s of Science (MS) degree, depending on their career goals.
In the formative stages of the field of psychology, many believed children were merely smaller versions of adults with the same psychological responses as their much older counterparts. Pioneering child psychologist Jean Piaget changed this paradigm when he advanced theories demonstrating how children have their own unique psychological processes. Modern child psychology focuses on development, covering the physical, mental, and emotional changes in children as they progress from early childhood to adolescence to adulthood. Child psychology has become one of the most popular subsections of psychology due to its depth and breadth.
Although many undergraduate students are interested in completing child psychology degree programs, they are generally available only in graduate programs. Undergraduate psychology studies can be used as a foundation to prepare for a master’s or doctoral level degrees, particularly if the institution offers child development courses. Learning opportunities outside the classroom also exist, including internships with child psychology experts and faculty research programs allowing student participation.
While students cannot earn a child psychology degree at the associate degree level, those who enroll in general psychology programs gain invaluable knowledge to guide them throughout their education. Students in these programs become introduced to seminal psychological theories, including concepts of developmental psychology. Outside of general education courses, associate programs also equip students with basic knowledge of scientific research methods, personality factors, and the relationship between brain functions and behavior.
While coursework at this level will not qualify graduates to work as child psychologists, it can go a long way toward moving them closer to future aspirations. The following courses provide examples of how students build this foundation.
Students learn about the psychological development of human beings, from birth to late adulthood. This course covers psychological development from the emotional, physical and cognitive perspectives.
This course covers different theoretical approaches to personality, from classic to contemporary frameworks. Students also learn about research methods related to personality, including how personality is formed and developed in children.
Students will develop an understanding of how individuals behave as members of groups. Some of the topics covered include conformity, peer pressure, conflict, and aggression.
Discusses psychological factors, such as mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. Students in this course learn the cultural, psychological and biological factors associated with these disorders, as well as how to identify and treat them.
This class provides a historical perspective of the counseling profession, including key models and theorists. Students also gain insight into the practice of counseling, and the issues counselors face when working with patients.
Though child psychology degrees are rare at the bachelor’s level, some schools do make them available. Students undertaking this major learn how children grow physically, emotionally and psychologically in stages of development ranging from birth to adolescence. Coursework includes topics such as childhood disorders, educational psychology, childhood development, and adolescent development.
Some schools also offer psychology bachelor’s degrees focused on child advocacy. These programs allow students to augment their child development courses with classes equipping them to advocate on behalf of children in need. Specific classes include lifespan development and psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and learning and motivation.
The specific requirements differ from school to school, and when an institution offers both types, there tends to be some overlap in curriculum.
A Bachelor of Arts in psychology is generally more focused on liberal arts topics, and students are given more freedom to take electives outside the psychology department. A common requirement for this path is completing a set number of hours studying a foreign language.
A Bachelor of Science in psychology tends to focus heavily on the scientific aspects of the field, requiring students to take advanced math and research-based courses. This curriculum also typically includes more courses from the psychology department, eliminating the opportunity to choose as many electives. BA degrees are generally thought to be beneficial to students focused on patient treatment, while those interested in research will receive better preparation in a BS program.
On the master’s level, students can choose between enrolling in a Master’s of Arts (MA) or Master’s of Science (MS) degree, depending on their career goals.
In most cases, programs at this level are general or clinical psychology programs with a concentration in child psychology.
When students complete a master’s degree in child psychology, they should be able to:
Understand the unique mental health issues that children and adolescents experience
Have knowledge about how child psychology research is conducted
Recognize the social, physical, and cognitive needs of young people
Gain expertise in how to conduct psychological assessments on children
Understand crisis intervention techniques
Achieve knowledge of how to work with children that have learning, social, and behavioral problems
Possess an understanding of the different stages of childhood development and the psychological problems that may be associated with each one
Area | Example of Courses |
---|---|
Child Development Theory |
Developmental psychology
Covers the stages of human development from the prenatal period to adulthood. Some specific topics studied include the nature-nurture debate, the development of emotions, and social factors that influence childhood development.
Personality theory
Students can expect to study seminal theories about personality, how personality is developed, and the impact of culture on personality
Cognition
This class explains the development of memory, learning, language, and decision making. |
Professional Practice |
Psychology ethics
Students who enroll in this course learn about the legal and ethical principles that govern professionals in the field. Specific topics include ethical research, the psychology of ethical behavior, and doctor-patient confidentiality.
Cognitive assessments
Topics include how to administer intelligence tests, and score and interpret their results. In addition, students learn about the different kinds of cognitive assessments and when to use them, as well as theories on intelligence.
Crisis intervention
Students in this class gain an understanding of how crisis interventions are conducted, the issues that lead to crisis situations in children and adolescents, and organizations that help children who have suffered from trauma. |
Research |
Research methods
This course teaches how to conduct psychological research, including how to identify a research problem, gather and analyze data, and report on study findings. In addition, students learn how to evaluate published research. |
The doctoral degree program in child psychology is designed to prepare students to treat children, conduct research, and teach students at the college level. Students who enroll in these programs have generally earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in psychology, and have practical experience in the field through internship programs or participation in research projects.
Students who earn doctoral degrees in child psychology should be able to:
Conduct original, evidence-based research about issues related to children
Teach psychology courses at the college level
Understand advanced theories on child development
Administer different kinds of psychological assessments
Recognize the accepted professional conduct of child psychologists
Create treatment plans for children at different stages of development
Apply psychological theory to the individual therapeutic needs of children
Understand the history of child psychology
Area | Example of Courses |
---|---|
Child Development Theory |
Infant development
Provides an understanding of infant development from the prenatal stage through the second year of life. Topics include the physical, perceptual, language, and cognitive development of this age group.
Psychology of learning
Covers traditional and current theories of learning, including classical conditioning, perception, and instructional methods.
Social development
This course deals with how children develop in social settings. Specific topics include family dynamics, peer relations, aggression, and prosocial behavior.
Health psychology
Introduces students to theories on the relationship between physical illness and psychological functioning.
Biology and behavior
Students in this class can expect to learn the biological factors that influence behavior. Topics include genetics, psychopharmacology, and neurology. |
Professional Practice |
Legal issues
Discusses the laws that govern psychologists and the effects they have on a child psychology practice. Topics include risk management and liability.
Diversity in practice
Covers how ethnic, cultural, gender, racial, and sexual orientation differences affect psychology professionals as they treat patients.
Teaching psychology
Students get theoretical information and hands-on experience in teaching.
Psychological interviews
This course covers how professionals in the field perform interviews on children of different ages.
Clinical child psychology practicum
Provides students with practical experience in a clinical child psychology setting. Students receive hands-on training on tasks such as administering assessments and observing behavior during field research. |
Research |
Statistical methods
Covers topics such as simple and multiple regression, correlation, t-test, and distribution theory.
Data analysis
Provides an understanding of how to look at raw data and make decisions about what it means.
Research design
Explains how to put together a research study, including experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. |
Although the specific requirements of child psychology degree programs differ from school to school, the following is designed to give prospective students an idea of what they can expect.
Degree | Completion Time | Units | Degree Earned | Future Career Opportunities | Other Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Associate |
2 years |
60 |
AS |
Students must further their education in order to work in the field |
N/A |
Bachelor’s |
4 years |
At least 120 |
BA, BS |
Students must further their education in order to work in the field |
May require an internship or participation in a research study |
Master’s |
2 years |
At least 36 |
MA, MS |
Students must further their education in order to work in the field |
May require a master’s thesis, comprehensive examination, or internship |
Doctorate |
6 years |
At least 100 |
PsyD, PhD |
Psychology professor, clinical child psychologist, researcher, consultant |
May require a dissertation, comprehensive examination, or internship |
Child psychologists are not required to earn a professional certification, but it can be useful in finding employment, as well as sharpening their skills. These professionals may receive a certification from the American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (ABCCAP), which requires that applicants complete written and oral examinations, as well as have a few years of professional experience.
While certifications are voluntary, licensure is not. If those who earn child psychology doctorates want to work with children in clinical settings, they must obtain a state license. The requirements for licensure depend on which state a psychologist practices in, but generally they must graduate from an accredited doctoral program and have a minimum amount of professional experience.
In addition to the great deal of grounding gained from undergraduate coursework, students can augment their learning with opportunities outside the classroom. Some of the most effective opportunities are given below.
Internships are an excellent way to put classroom ideas into real-life perspective and get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a professional psychologist. Whether offered at private companies, health care facilities or government agencies, internships can bring textbook theories to life and help students gain a better understanding of what they’re studying.
Faculty members are frequently engaged in active research and may enlist the help of psychology majors to assist on projects. By participating in research projects, students learn first-hand what it’s like to plan and conduct studies, interpret research findings, and write and publish study results.
There are several conferences for the psychology profession where attendees can network and learn about the latest research in the field. Some conferences are sponsored by psychology associations and cater to both veteran practitioners and students, while other events, like the Stanford Undergraduate Psychology Conference and the MSUM Student Academic Conference, are specifically organized for psychology majors.
Numerous professional associations exist for those in the psychology field, including the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Association for Research in Personality. These organizations give members access to the latest research and news in the field and offer networking opportunities. Students are often allowed to join at reduced membership rates.
Some schools have clubs allowing both majors and non-majors who demonstrate interest in the field to participate in activities related to psychology. Psychology majors may also be able to join Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, and participate in career events, workshops and research presentations.
Paying for higher education can be a challenging proposition no matter what major students pursue. The following financial aid opportunities are specifically for those looking to study psychology and eventually enter the sector of child psychology.
This award is designed for doctoral psychology students who are studying public policy topics affecting children, such as the implementation of school programs for young children with psychological challenges or child abuse prevention.
The American Psychological Foundation awards several scholarships to graduate students, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
This scholarship is designed to help increase the amount of Filipino Americans in the field of psychology.
LGBTQ students studying psychology or psychiatry can apply for this scholarship.
This scholarship is awarded to neuropsychology graduate students.
This award is for students working to advance the understanding of bisexual psychology.
CAMFT offers scholarships to racial minorities enrolled in psychology programs in California.
Awarded to minority students enrolled in psychology programs.
Available for graduate students who are conducting research related to child psychology.
Graduate students conducting psychological studies on gifted children can receive this grant.
Sponsored by DatingAdvice.com, this scholarship is for students who plan to become relationship counselors.
The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology offers this award to graduate students studying I-O psychology.
This scholarship is for female students enrolled in the graduate or undergraduate psychology program at Hofstra University.
Graduate students who are participating in research on children in kindergarten through eighth grade can receive funding from this program.
This award is given to psychology students participating in research to help prevent injuries to young children and adolescents caused by abuse, accidents and violence.
Awarded by the National Association of School Psychologists, this scholarship is given to minorities who plan to pursue a career in school psychology.
This award is given to graduate psychology students who are planning to work directly with children.
The NIH offers scholarships to economically disadvantaged students who plan to conduct behavioral science research.
Awarded to psychology students working to advance an understanding of couples or family dynamics.
This $15,000 grant is for students conducting research on lesbian, gay and bisexual family psychology or therapy.
This $10,000 scholarship is for graduate students working to increase public awareness about the psychological pain experienced by people with disabilities.
This grant is for a psychology student involved in human sexuality research.
Awarded to psychology graduate students who demonstrate a commitment to child psychology and development.
Graduate students who are working to help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness are eligible for this award.
Psychology graduate students who are affiliate members of the Wisconsin Psychological Association can receive $1,000 awards.