Best Online Master’s in Child Psychology of 2025
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A master’s degree in child psychology can open doors to many rewarding careers in counseling and therapy, where you can help kids dealing with developmental issues, behavioral problems, or mental health conditions.
Many online colleges offer psychology graduate programs. In addition to child psychology, you can specialize in educational or school psychology. This guide ranks the best online master’s programs in child and adolescent psychology.
Best Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Programs
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA- 4 year
- Online
What You'll Like:
Bay Path University's online master of science in developmental psychology prepares you to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families. Coursework includes counseling theory and practice, trauma and crisis intervention, and family systems. You'll also have the chance to gain experience through fieldwork or an internship.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 36
- Leads to Licensure: No
Things We Love:
- You can attend full time or part time to fit coursework around your other life commitments.
- You'll have access to the same support services as on-campus students, including mentoring, tutoring, library resources, academic resources, and career services.
- Bay Path alumni may be eligible to receive 20% off full graduate tuition.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- You can request an on-demand info session to better understand program details and determine whether it's a good fit for you
- All students pay the same tuition rate of $925 per credit, regardless of where you live.
- In-State$35,781
- Out-of-state$35,781
- In-State$19,235
- Out-of-state$19,235
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled2,465
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
What You'll Like:
The University of Minnesota's online master of arts in applied child and adolescent development offers three tracks: infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), child life, and individualized studies. Completing the IECMH track can prepare you for licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC), and completing the child life track can prepare you for certification as a certified child life specialist.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 32
- Leads to Licensure and/or Certification: Yes
Things We Love:
- If you reside in Minnesota and complete the IECMH track, you have the option to complete LPCC licensure requirements concurrently with your master's degree program.
- Completing the child life track makes you eligible to take the exam for the certified child life specialist credential.
- There are no on-campus components, but you can opt to take on-campus courses if you choose.
What to Know Before You Apply:
- At $1,665 per credit for tuition, the total program costs over $50,000.
- On the IECMH track, you will need to take 28 additional credits to complete the LPCC licensure application requirements.
- UMN prefers a GPA of at least 3.0 for admission, but you don't need to submit GRE scores.
- In-State$14,496
- Out-of-state$34,410
- In-State$18,468
- Out-of-state$28,578
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled54,890
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
What Is a Child and Adolescent Psychology Degree?
A master’s in child psychology program teaches you the skills for researching, assessing, and treating children’s social and emotional well-being. You’ll learn how to identify and address psychosocial challenges and disorders that affect children.
This degree helps prepare you for doctoral studies in child psychology, which is a requirement for becoming a psychologist, therapist, or counselor. To apply, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.
Choosing an Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Program
Which child psychology graduate program should you pick? Start by checking the program’s tuition, discounts for in-state or online students, and credit requirements. Then, look into specializations, advisors, and field experience requirements.
Look for top psychology programs with a child and adolescent specialization that match your interests. You may also want to consider whether the program has practicum opportunities near you. Finally, ensure the program is accredited and meets the licensure requirements for your state.
Accreditation
Be sure to only consider accredited institutions. Accredited schools have met quality standards for education, including student outcomes, faculty qualifications, and graduation requirements.
A degree from an accredited institution is key for state licensure and entry into doctoral programs.
Degree Type
Most master’s in psychology programs offer MA and MS degrees. Master of arts (MA) and master of science (MS) degrees in child and adolescent psychology train you to assess and treat mental health disorders in children.
Both programs also emphasize psychology research and experiential training. However, an MA focuses more on counseling approaches, while an MS emphasizes research.
MA in Child and Adolescent Psychology
Focuses on:
Counseling and therapy skills. An MA typically focuses on treatment approaches rather than psychological research and methodologies. Graduates can go on to pursue doctoral degrees in psychology, particularly those that emphasize clinical work.
Best for these career paths:
- School counselor
- Child and adolescent therapist
MS in Child and Adolescent Psychology
Focuses on:
Research and the scientific approach to psychology. An MS generally emphasizes research methods, behavioral studies, and human development. The degree prepares students for research-focused doctorates in psychology.
Best for these career paths:
- Postsecondary psychology teacher
- Psychology research assistant
Child and Adolescent Psychology Careers
Many careers with a psychology degree draw on the analytical, counseling, and treatment skills gained during a master’s in child psychology degree. With a master’s degree, professionals work in psychology research, school psychology, school counseling, and behavior therapy.
Some career paths, including becoming a psychologist, require a doctorate. A master’s degree can prepare graduates for doctoral-level study in child psychology. Psychiatry, which is different from psychology, requires an MD.
This table introduces common career paths and salaries for individuals with a graduate degree in child and adolescent psychology.
| Child Psychology Careers | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| School Counselor | $65,140 |
| School Psychologist | $86,930 |
| Clinical Child Psychologist* | $95,830 |
| Postsecondary Psychology Professor* | $80,330 |
| Research Psychologist | $117,580 |
*Requires doctoral degree
Child and Adolescent Psychology Professional Organizations
Professional associations help child psychology students enter the workforce and advance their training. These organizations host conferences and events with networking opportunities. They also offer professional development tools, educational resources, and career advice, including job boards.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
AACAP advocates for child and adolescent psychiatrists. The academy hosts a clinical practice center with resources, an education center to build skills, and resources for early career psychiatrists.
American Counseling Association
ACA provides professional development, advocacy, and a comprehensive code of ethics for counselors. The association publishes books, journals, and a monthly magazine on counseling. It also hosts a yearly conference.
American Psychological Association
APA includes several divisions focusing on child psychology, including the Society of Clinical and Adolescent Psychology, the Society of Pediatric Psychology, and the Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice. These societies encourage professional practice, offer training opportunities, and promote public policies that improve children’s mental health and welfare.
Association for Psychological Science
APS supports scientific psychology, including those who specialize in research, teaching, or applied psychology. The association publishes research and encourages networking opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Psychology Degrees
The top-paying industries for psychologists were government ($126,990); hospitals; state, local, and private ($96,060), and ambulatory healthcare services ($96,960), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top-paying states for clinical and counseling psychologists were Oregon ($132,550), Kentucky ($116,480), and Washington ($115,050).
