Students interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree in child psychology can choose from a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) in child psychology. The University of Minnesota says its B.A. program is most often pursued by individuals planning careers in research, education, medicine, law, or sociology and other behavioral sciences. By including field work in its upper-level courses, the B.S. lays a path better suited for students interested in early childhood education, counseling or human services jobs.
Prerequisite courses for both degrees include the basics, such as General Psychology and Introduction to Child Psychology. Candidates for the B.A. must then complete courses related to research methods and social development, including language, cognitive and perceptual development. Upper-level courses for the B.S. include coursework designed to ready a student for clinical work in areas such as behavioral and emotional problems of children, childhood disability and development.
The Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in child psychology offer more job opportunities than the bachelor's degree, especially if you are interested in counseling children or working with teachers and parents of children who have learning, behavioral, emotional or social issues. Coursework includes training in personality assessment, research methodology, childhood development and counseling techniques. Careers requiring a master's degree in child psychology include behavioral specialists, youth counselors, school counselors and school social workers.
A doctorate or Ph.D. offers the broadest range of job opportunities for students pursuing careers in child psychology, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Designed to develop skills in research and intervention or therapy processes used to treat children, teens and their families, coursework includes classroom instruction in behavioral, biological and cognitive research. Many programs also require a one-year internship that helps supplement classroom instruction with clinical work. Postdoctoral graduates may also enter a two-year medical fellowship program, such as one offered by Mayo Clinic, which provides a more in-depth focus of study for students interested in research or clinical intervention.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the overall demand for psychologists to grow by 12 percent through 2018, with increased demand for school psychologists due to bullying and increasing awareness of the effects of mental health and behavioral issues on learning. Jobs for those holding master's degrees will meet stiffer competition but can include working in private practice, often under the supervision of a psychologist.