Online Child Psychology Degrees 2021
October 26, 2021 , Modified on June 9, 2022

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Child Psychology Online Degrees
Psychologists specialize in topics such as forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, or rehabilitation psychology. Other professionals work solely with a specific age group, such as children.
Also known as developmental psychology, child psychology concerns the biological and social forces affecting children's cognitive, social, and physical development. Child psychologists' training and experience allow them to treat developmental disorders. Doing so promotes positive outcomes for children and their families.
Professionals need more than a child psychology bachelor's degree to practice. State licensure requirements include a doctorate in psychology. A doctorate may take up to eight years, depending on the type of degree students earn. States also require supervised training and passing one or more exams.
Recent high school graduates and nontraditional learners interested in this career path should consider a child psychology degree online program at the bachelor's level. A psychology degree exposes students to different psychology subfields while preparing them for graduate school.
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Child Psychology Degree Questions
Child psychologists must possess either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. Other licensure requirements vary by state but may include an exam, criminal background check, and supervised experience.
Psychologists in the United States earn a median $80,370 annual salary. Factors affecting salary include years of professional experience, geographic location, and employer.
Potential careers for graduates with a bachelor's degree include social worker and art therapist. Some related jobs, such as middle or high school teacher, may require additional training.
Child psychologists study the numerous biological and social factors affecting children's mental development. Child development experts also study mental development but focus solely on learning's role.
What Are the Requirements for a Child Psychology Degree?
Child psychology degrees require a high school or GED diploma for admission. Schools may recommend standardized test scores, recommendation letters, and an essay. Most colleges and universities require FAFSA results for financial aid purposes. Incoming students should speak with an academic or enrollment counselor before signing up for courses.
Child psychology programs feature unique graduation requirements such as experiential learning and an internship. Experiential learning involves developing hands-on skills and setting short-term and long-term career goals. In an internship, students spend at least 150 hours working at one or more job sites serving children and families.
Accreditation for Child Psychology Degrees
Schools offering child psychology programs need two forms of accreditation. Six regional accrediting agencies use U.S. Department of Education standards to evaluate the United States' postsecondary institutions. Please avoid colleges and universities without regional accreditation, as graduates may experience difficulty attaining employment or admission to another academic program.
Colleges and universities awarding online degrees also need national accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Online learners attending a DEAC-accredited school receive the same educational experience as their on-campus peers.
Private agencies and organizations confer programmatic accreditation on exemplary degree-granting programs. Although child psychology degrees at the bachelor's level cannot attain programmatic accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), reputable doctoral programs must possess it. Many states' licensure requirements include graduating from an APA-accredited doctorate in psychology program.
Certifications and Licensure for Child Psychology
Although licensure requirements vary by state, candidates must possess a doctorate in psychology, work under a licensed psychologist for at least 2,000 hours, and pass the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards developed this exam and provides licensure candidates with guides and other test-preparation materials.
California requires the EPPP and the California Psychology Law and Ethics Exam. Other states require a similar exam covering relevant laws and regulations. Licensure candidates also submit to a criminal background check and provide work references. The California Board of Psychology contacts references to determine if candidates possess at least 3,000 hours of supervised work experience.
Like other states, California requires psychologists to complete continuing education (CE) to renew their license. Professionals must attain at least 36 CE credits every two years, 25 of which they may complete through online coursework.
Child Psychology Specializations
Child psychology degrees allow students to customize their education in different ways, such as through electives, minors, and study abroad experiences. Another option involves specializations. Also known as concentrations or tracks, specializations feature in-depth coursework in a single psychology topic. Students choose a specialization after exploring different psychology subfields during their first and second years.
Not all colleges and universities offer the specializations below. Students earning a child psychology degree online without specializations achieve the same result through electives on a single topic. Degree-seekers work with an academic advisor to choose courses aligning with their education and professional goals.
- Developmental Psychology
- Many colleges and universities do not offer a child psychology degree at the bachelor's level but instead award a bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology. This degree provides a broad overview of the psychology field and specialized coursework in childhood development, brain function, and mental health disorders specific to children and young adults.
- Child and Family Psychology
- Child and family psychology blends developmental psychology fundamentals with the social forces affecting child development. Typical courses include psychological interviewing and reporting, psychological perspectives of parenting and childcare, and the psychology of adoption. Learners also examine school psychology, as education plays a significant role in children's emotional, social, and intellectual development.
- Psychology and Early Childhood Education
- An interdisciplinary option, psychology and early childhood education prepares degree-seekers for a career as a licensed K-2 educator. Curriculum requirements include courses in the foundations of educating children with disabilities, teaching English as a second language, and diverse perspectives on education fundamentals. Schools may offer this specialization as part of a combined BA/MA program.
Best Online Child Psychology Degrees
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Eastern Michigan UniversityLocation
Ypsilanti, MI
Tuition$8888
Graduation Rate37%
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Canisius CollegeLocation
Buffalo, NY
Tuition$33282
Graduation Rate68%
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University of Southern MississippiLocation
Hattiesburg, MS
Tuition$7224
Graduation Rate50%
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The University of AlabamaLocation
Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuition$10170
Graduation Rate67%
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University of BridgeportLocation
Bridgeport, CT
Tuition$28800
Graduation Rate32%
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University of Saint JosephLocation
West Hartford, CT
Tuition$34530
Graduation Rate58%
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Auburn UniversityLocation
Auburn, AL
Tuition$8808
Graduation Rate68%
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North Carolina State UniversityLocation
Raleigh, NC
Tuition$6220
Graduation Rate71%
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Adelphi UniversityLocation
Garden City, NY
Tuition$32380
Graduation Rate66%
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University of Northern ColoradoLocation
Greeley, CO
Tuition$6372
Graduation Rate45%
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Benedictine UniversityLocation
Lisle, IL
Tuition$26479
Graduation Rate53%
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Rutgers University-New BrunswickLocation
New Brunswick, NJ
Tuition$11217
Graduation Rate79%
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University of KansasLocation
Lawrence, KS
Tuition$9123
Graduation Rate64%
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University of Nebraska-LincolnLocation
Lincoln, NE
Tuition$6593
Graduation Rate65%
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Central Michigan UniversityLocation
Mount Pleasant, MI
Tuition$11455
Graduation Rate57%
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Colorado State University-Fort CollinsLocation
Fort Collins, CO
Tuition$8301
Graduation Rate63%
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New York Institute of TechnologyLocation
New York City, NY
Tuition$32300
Graduation Rate46%
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University of North FloridaLocation
Jacksonville, FL
Tuition$3853
Graduation Rate48%
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East Carolina UniversityLocation
Greenville, NC
Tuition$4157
Graduation Rate58%
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Kansas State UniversityLocation
Manhattan, KS
Tuition$8517
Graduation Rate58%
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South Dakota State UniversityLocation
Brookings, SD
Tuition$4341
Graduation Rate56%
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SUNY OneontaLocation
Oneonta, NY
Tuition$6470
Graduation Rate67%
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Framingham State UniversityLocation
Framingham, MA
Tuition$11250
Graduation Rate52%
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Texas Woman’s UniversityLocation
Denton, TX
Tuition$4760
Graduation Rate47%
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Indiana University of PennsylvaniaLocation
Indiana, PA
Tuition$7060
Graduation Rate50%
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Logan UniversityLocation
Chesterfield, MO
Tuition$6600

Thomas Broderick
Thomas Broderick is a freelance writer and the owner of Broderick Writer LLC. He creates study guides, informational websites, and blog posts for clients in the education field. Thomas is also a published author of over 20 short stories and a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.
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