The Best Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Programs
| TBS Staff
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Child and adolescent psychology master’s programs give students advanced, in–demand academic credentials that can lead directly to rewarding careers. Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that candidates need a Ph.D. and a license to become full-fledged child psychologists, the agency also reports that a master's in child and adolescent psychology fulfills the educational requirements for some positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that one such career, school and career counseling, will experience 13% growth by 2026. Overall, the BLS projects that demand for psychologists will rise 14% over that same period, making now an ideal time to enter the field.
The Best Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Degree Programs
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online MS in psychology with an emphasis in child and adolescent development, preparing students to apply their skills in research and analysis to work with children and adolescents. Courses like theory of personality and social psychology also prepare graduates to apply analysis and work effectively with varied personalities.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in psychology can still apply and complete foundational courses prior to beginning more advanced courses. Online students are also free to join SNHUconnect, an online student union where students can network with peers and faculty. SNHU’s graduate programs are designed to be completed in less than two years. Military service members and their spouses receive a 25% tuition discount on part- and full-time enrollment.
The MA in psychology from The Chicago School offers a concentration in child and adolescent practice through which students foster a deep understanding of the complex variables that impact a child’s well being. In this flexible program designed for professionals, students can choose to enroll part or full time and complete the required 36 credits from the comfort of home. The Chicago School’s program is also a rigorous one designed to challenge students, who choose an area of interest early on and complete an applied research project over the course of their program.
Online learners interact with peers and faculty through video conferencing and SocialCourse, a virtual networking solution for building online learning communities. Smaller courses may require an occasional synchronous virtual residency, where students engage live for one or two hours to meet and discuss ideas.
Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Degree Program Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Our Methodology
Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.
Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
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Online Enrollment
Data Sources
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.
Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.
Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.
We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.
In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.
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Choosing an Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Program
Child and adolescent psychology master’s programs build on generalized, foundational knowledge from an undergraduate degree. At the graduate level, more intense and specialized coursework allows learners to develop advanced understanding of topics such as behavioral theory, research methods, treatment models, and ethical guidelines. Child and adolescent psychology courses focus on younger subjects, ranging from preschool–age children to adolescents and young adults. During their studies, students also develop professional skills for conducting behavioral assessments, strategizing interventions, and effectively communicating with young people. These courses equip students with the practical abilities they need to effectively work with children and adolescents in formal and clinical settings.
You can choose either a master of science or a master of arts in applied child and adolescent psychology. Master of science degrees focus more on research methods and the biological aspects of psychology. They often lead to study opportunities at the Ph.D. level. Master of arts degrees take a more interdisciplinary approach, making them ideal for students who want to work in non–clinical settings such as schools or social work agencies.
Although most professionals already consider child and adolescent psychology a specialized discipline, some programs allow students to focus on subfields like mental health management, autism spectrum disorders, divorce, or death. Students can also look for schools that offer electives in their area of interest.
Return to the topWhat Else Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology Program?
Online master's programs in child and adolescent psychology typically include a common set of core courses. These classes cover topics such as ethics, mental disorders, psychological research, and childhood development. However, exact details vary depending on the school.
Curriculum for an Online Master’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Psychology in Practice
- This course serves as an introduction to graduate child and adolescent psychology. Students apply theoretical models to real–world situations and case studies.
- Current Issues in Child and Adolescent Psychology
- In psychology, best practices constantly change as practitioners revise their methods to incorporate new research. This course highlights current areas of focus in the context of the field’s ongoing growth and evolution.
- Research Methods
- Research techniques, statistical methods, data analysis, and critical assessment all play a major role in a psychologist’s professional duties. Courses in research methods help students build these important skills.
- Ethics
- Psychologists often grapple with difficult ethical decisions when designing research studies, forming therapy plans, and implementing intervention strategies. In ethics courses, students learn accepted principles for navigating such situations.
- Psychological Assessment
- Child and adolescent psychologists require advanced psychological assessment skills, regardless of the professional setting in which they work. These courses teach methods for assessing patients and creating accurate psychological profiles that inform therapy and treatment.
Careers with a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology
Master’s in child and adolescent psychology jobs focus on helping young people navigate difficult situations and cope with emotional challenges. While some jobs require further study at the doctoral level, others are open to qualified applicants with an MSc or MA in child and adolescent psychology.
The information below features three popular professions for graduates, along with master’s in child and adolescent psychology salary information.
- Child or Adolescent Psychologist
- With a Ph.D. and a state license, candidates can open their own private practice. These professionals meet with patients, assess their situation, form therapy plans, and supervise their treatment and progress.
- Median Annual Salary: $77,030
- Projected Growth Rate: 14%
- School and Career Counselor
- School and career counselors help young people identify and discover their strengths and aptitudes, then use that data to find potential educational and professional options. Though child and adolescent psychology master's degree holders qualify for these careers, many states require additional licensure.
- Median Annual Salary: $55,410
- Projected Growth Rate: 13%
- Postsecondary Psychology Teacher
- Postsecondary teaching positions generally require a Ph.D. and several years of professional experience. After earning a master's degree, candidates may continue into a doctoral program, obtain licensure, and transition into teaching after accruing professional experience.
- Median Annual Salary: $73,770
- Projected Growth Rate: 15%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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