Future child and adolescent psychologists must complete a bachelor's degree before being admitted to a graduate program in child and adolescent psychology. A psychology degree is the most direct way to ensure a student completes the required courses, but most graduate programs accept any undergraduate degree, provided the student completes the courses they require.
During the first year of graduate study in child and adolescent psychology, graduate students usually take courses in the primary areas of psychology (for example, cognitive psychology, sensation and perception and social psychology) and statistics. Then graduate students take small seminars in child and adolescent psychology, such as parenting and family, cognitive development, peer relationships and learning. During their studies, graduate students select professors to mentor them in research. Finally, students take a comprehensive test.
Graduate students take various seminars to help them decide on a topic for research. For example, they might focus on a particular age (pre-school or late teens) or on an area of child or adolescent psychology (family relationships, intellectual development or moral development). Once a student selects a topic, he asks a professor who conducts research in that area to supervise his research. The professor mentors the student in his original research for his dissertation, which he defends orally to a committee of faculty members. Graduate students progress at their own rate.
Child and adolescent psychologists research diverse topics related to development and factors that might interfere with appropriate development. For example, child and adolescent psychologists research genetic influences on development, how to enhance children's learning, self-esteem and self-evaluation, and gender-based interactions. Child and adolescent psychologists study children's and adolescents' interpersonal interactions and attempt to improve them.
Child and adolescent psychologists conduct research and teach in colleges and universities. Their training allows them to work in many other settings (social agencies, hospitals, and elementary or high schools) where they can apply their expertise. These psychologists evaluate children and adolescents to determine if they are developing at an appropriate rate or if something is interfering with their development. They can suggest ways for parents and teachers to improve the child's or adolescent's rate of development.