Online Master’s In Child Psychology Programs

Child psychologists work directly with children from infancy through adolescence. They examine various aspects of a child's behavioral development, including environmental factors and learning patterns. States require child psychologists to obtain a license prior to beginning independent practice. Licensure candidates must hold at least a master's in child psychology.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $82,180 for psychologists, much higher than the $41,950 median for all occupations. Many child psychologists work in private practice. Depending on professional interest and training, they could also work in elementary and secondary schools, government agencies, daycare centers, or the court system.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Child Psychology

What can I do with a master's degree in child psychology?

A child psychology master's degree usually qualifies graduates to become school counselors, family therapists, developmental psychologists, or social workers.

How many years is a master's in child psychology?

Full-time enrollees generally take 18-24 months to complete a master's in child psychology. Some accelerated programs take only one year to complete. Part-time enrollment may take up to three years.

What certification do I need to be a child psychologist?

Child psychologists require state licensure, but not a certification to practice. However, many practitioners voluntarily seek certification as a cognitive-behavioral therapist or as a school counselor.

Why Get a Degree in Child Psychology?

A master's in child psychology includes instruction and fieldwork, such as a practicum or internship experience. The degree prepares graduates to administer and interpret different psychological assessment tools that measure a child's intellectual abilities, visual-motor integration skills, and several neuropsychological functions. A child psychology master's degree develops communication skills for sharing findings with parents, teachers, and other professionals.

Aspiring clinical child psychologists often need a doctorate to apply for licensure in many states. A master's in child psychology usually meets the educational requirements of a doctoral program in the field. Online child psychology degree-seekers can pursue their education with minimal interruption to their career or other responsibilities.

How Much Does a Child Psychology Degree Cost?

National Center for Education Statistics data show postgraduate enrollment costs at public institutions averaged $12,171 for 2018-19. Graduate students at private nonprofit institutions paid an average of $27,776 the same year. The cost of one year of enrollment in a master's in child psychology program will likely approximate these amounts.

Some schools charge the same tuition for resident and nonresident distance learners. The difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition significantly impacts attendance costs, so online enrollees usually save considerably with a flat rate. Students planning to pursue an online child psychology degree should research whether prospective institutions offer this opportunity.

Schools often give online and on-campus enrollees equal access to many of the scholarship and grant programs they administer. Since they do not require repayment, scholarships and grants make a master's in child psychology more affordable.

Additional Online Student Fees for Child Psychology

Although several schools now offer an online master's in child psychology alongside an onsite program, some online child psychology degrees still require some in-person attendance. Schools may require an onsite orientation to start the program or an on-campus final thesis or capstone project presentation before graduating. For online child psychology degree-seekers far from their desired school, any onsite requirements can increase attendance costs.

Child psychology master's degree-seekers should inquire about technology fees that some schools charge online enrollees only. Calculated per credit or charged as a flat amount each enrollment period, technology fees can substantially affect degree costs.

How Much Do Child Psychology Majors Make?

BLS data show that offices of other health practitioners pay the highest annual mean salary for psychologists at $133,660. Companies offering management and technical consulting services pay the next highest salary at $116,210. Elementary and secondary schools and local government agencies follow, paying $104,360 and $101,410, respectively.

The state where psychologists practice impacts income levels. The following states pay the highest psychologist salaries: California at $124,910, Alaska at $118,270, Illinois at $115,340, Virginia at $109,060, and Colorado at $103,560.

Child psychology master's degree-holders typically earn higher median salaries than bachelor's degree-holders and associate-trained workers. According to the BLS, master's degree-holders earn a median $1,545 weekly salary. Bachelor's-trained workers earn $1,305, while employees with an associate degree earn $938. Practitioners with a master's in child psychology join a workforce with higher-than-average incomes and opportunities for career advancement.

Courses in Child Psychology

A master's in child psychology typically comprises 30-36 credits. Specific curricula differ among schools, but often include statistics, research methods, and learning disabilities foundation classes, alongside the three courses described below. Some programs offer specializations in adolescent, developmental, or abnormal psychology.

Most programs include a practicum or internship experience and require students to complete a culminating activity prior to graduation. A master's in child psychology usually requires a thesis as the culminating experience. However, some schools offer a coursework-only program and others accept a capstone research project as the final activity.

• Developmental Psychology

  The course provides an overview of the major transitions of human existence, from early infancy to late adulthood. Curriculum then focuses on the childhood to adolescent years. Students examine various factors that play a crucial role during this period of human development. Topics include social, cognitive, biological, and emotional factors.

• Intervention Strategies

  The course familiarizes enrollees with different intervention strategies commonly used in clinical practice with children. Participants explore topics such as cognitive behavioral therapies, relationship-based interventions, and dyadic developmental psychotherapy. The course includes supervised clinical experiences so students can practice applying the different strategies in real-life situations.

• Cognitive Neuropsychology

  Enrollees study the connection between the human brain and cognitive processes. The course includes the most recent research findings and development in this field of exploration. Students learn current and emerging techniques, such as computerized tomography, recombinant DNA procedures, neurochemical approaches, and magnetic stimulation.

How to Become a Child Psychologist

States require psychologists to earn a license before practicing. Licensure requirements vary by state, with most requiring clinical candidates to possess a doctorate in psychology or counseling. In some states, a master's satisfies licensure educational requirements for practitioners planning to become school counselors or industrial-organizational psychologists.

Licensees must renew their license every three or five years, depending on the state where they practice. As with initial licensure requirements, specific renewal criteria also vary by state. Most states require completing a certain number of continuing education units in between renewal periods.

Certifications and Licensure for Child Psychology

An industry-recognized credential, especially in a broad field such as psychology, helps distinguish certified professionals from other practitioners. Certifications present holders as knowledgeable and skilled professionals committed to and capable of providing expert service in their specialization field.

Online Master's in Child Psychology 2022