If you are interested in a career helping children and adolescents in an in-demand field, a master's in child psychology online can help become a certified counselor or enroll in a doctoral program. Explore the top master's in child psychology online programs, including information about costs, common courses, and post-grad salaries.
Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master's in Child Psychology for Affordability
#1 Online Master’s In Child Psychology Programs
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of South Florida offers a variety of top-ranked graduate programs, including an online master of science in child life studies program. In addition to on-campus students, 24,241 students enroll in the public institution's online programs. Enrollees can choose online learning to access flexible scheduling options that make earning a degree easier.
Degree-seekers in the child life studies program develop field-specific knowledge and skills that apply to many professional roles. In addition to completing major courses, students customize the master's curriculum by choosing electives. The online program prioritizes flexible scheduling and career-specific training. Graduates can transition to a career or advance their current career in the field after earning their master's degree. The institution's career services and alumni network can help master's students locate and secure professional opportunities.
Learners pursuing a master's degree from the school can access support services including career advising and financial aid counseling. Online learners at the institution pay affordable tuition rates, making graduate studies more accessible. Private scholarships and institutional fellowships can also help learners fund their master's studies. The average cost per credit for online master's programs at the school is $907.
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Online Master’s In Child Psychology Programs
Missouri State University
- Springfield, MO
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Missouri State University educates undergraduate and graduate degree-seekers from its campus in Springfield. The school's academic offerings include 24 online master's programs and 28 online master's programs.
Distance degree-seekers can pursue an online graduate certificate in forensic child psychology from the institution. The program prepares learners to pursue positions in the field or advance their current career. The school provides support services, such as academic advising and career counseling, to support graduate students' overall success.
The school supports online enrollees through affordable tuition rates and institutional funding. Students at the accredited institution qualify for federal financial aid programs. Private scholarships and institutional fellowships can also help learners fund their master's studies.
Missouri State University at a Glance:
Students Receiving Aid: 97%
Students Receiving Loans: 44%
Total Master's Programs: 52
Total Online Master's Programs: 52
Accepts Transfer Credits: No
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Online Master’s In Child Psychology Programs
University of La Verne
- La Verne, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
With a main campus in California, the University of La Verne delivers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields. The school offers graduate programs for online and on-campus learners. Online students can enroll in the master's in child and adolescent development from the institution.
Enrollees prepare to enter the workforce by completing rigorous coursework and receiving faculty mentorship and career advising. Designed with working professionals in mind, the program offers flexible enrollment options. While most master's degree-seekers graduate in 1-2 years, part-time enrollment may extend degree completion time.
The institution holds accreditation, which means students can submit the FAFSA and determine whether they qualify for federal financial aid. The school reports that 62% of enrollees fund their education using student loans. In addition, 98% of students receive some form of financial aid to cover degree costs.
University of La Verne Fast Facts:
Total Programs: 87
Number of Online Programs: 4
Online Master's Programs: 21
Number of Online Students: 1,743
Religious Affiliation: Non-affiliated
Transfer Credits Permitted: No
Percent Online Enrollment
24%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric -- affordability -- accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Why Get an Online Master's in Child Psychology Degree?
A master's in child psychology online can help launch your career making a difference in young people’s lives. With an online master's in child psychology, you can begin a counseling career or pursue a doctorate to become a licensed child psychologist.
Issues facing children and adolescents include the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, online bullying, and an earlier onset of puberty, according to the American Psychological Association.
To address a continuing mental health crisis among children, 30 states enacted laws to address workforce shortages in 2022, reports the National Academy for State Health Policy. This legislation may lead to more career opportunities, higher salaries, and career advancement for the pediatric mental health workforce.
How Much Does an Online Master's in Child Psychology Cost?
Graduate tuition and fees averaged $12,596 per year at public colleges and universities and $28,017 at private institutions in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Factors influencing these costs include attending an urban or rural school, paying in-state or out-of-state tuition, and accelerated study options or applicable transfer credits. In addition, be sure to budget for books and materials, commuting expenses, and housing and meals.
Online study has become more widespread and can save you money on relocation and transportation. Some schools may assess lower tuition rates for distance learning or offer in-state tuition regardless of residency. Master's in child psychology online learners can qualify for financial aid, including assistantships, fellowships, and grants.
How Much Do Child Psychology Master's Graduates Make?
To become a child psychologist, you need a doctoral degree. A master's in child psychology online can prepare you for a Ph.D., doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) program, or a career in counseling or therapy.
Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn an annual median salary of $53,710, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2023. Doctorate-prepared psychologists, by comparison, make a median wage of $92,740 per year.
Median salaries can vary by workplace and industry, education level, experience, and the state or city where you work. For example, clinical and counseling psychologists in top-paying New Jersey average $148,360 per year, which is much higher than the national average of $106,600.
Common Courses in Online Master's in Child Psychology Programs
Master's in child psychology online curricula include major courses and electives. Programs may offer child psychology concentrations in areas that include abnormal psychology, forensic psychology, or developmental psychology. Field-based internships and practicums are important curricular components, providing supervised, hands-on experience.
Listed here are three common courses.
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ADHD and Autistic Spectrum
In this evaluation of two neurodevelopmental disorders, students examine theoretical underpinnings and research in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), along with diagnostic approaches, interventions, and the combined effects of ADHD and ASD.
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Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health
This course overviews child and adolescent behavioral health topics, including the field's history, service settings, and factors that influence best practices for meeting the needs of patients and their families.
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Adolescents and Risk
Enrollees learn about adolescent risk-taking and factors that interact to promote or hinder development, including cognitive, cultural, environmental, physical, and social-emotional. Learners also explore current theories and research on typical and atypical development and their effects on learning.
Child Psychology Certifications and Licensure
Child psychologists who hold doctoral degrees can pursue state psychology licensure. State requirements vary, and candidates should check with their state's licensing board to ensure compliance, particularly regarding the number of post-doctoral supervised training hours.
Master's degree holders can apply for their professional counseling licenses without earning a doctorate. Again, state requirements differ but include supervised experience and a passing score on the national counselor's exam.
Child psychology master's program graduates can also pursue optional certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Certification indicates an elevated level of expertise and can result in higher salaries and upward mobility in child and adolescent counseling.
Listed here are certifications available from the NBCC applicable to those with child psychology master's degrees.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Becoming a certified clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC) indicates a high standard of practice. Applicants must first earn their NCC credentials and complete 60 semester or 90 quarter graduate credits, prerequisite course content, and specified supervised clinical training hours. Candidates also need a professional endorsement and a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's in Child Psychology Programs
It can be helpful to list your academic and professional goals, such as degree paths, specialization interests, and career aspirations. Next, start your school research with the master's in child psychology online programs on our rankings list.
Yes, you can earn your master's in child psychology online. Distance learners complete their courses through asynchronous (accessible anytime) or synchronous (scheduled class times) delivery and log their supervised training hours in person at workplaces in their local areas.
You can become a licensed professional counselor or therapist and pursue counselor certification with a master's in child psychology online. You can also apply to a doctoral program in child psychology.
To become licensed as a child psychologist, practice psychology independently, and use the title of psychologist, you need a doctoral degree -- either a clinical practice-based Psy.D. or a research-focused Ph.D.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Affordable Colleges Online. Page last reviewed June 14, 2024.
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