Undergraduate degree programs are three to four years in duration and typically require general education and prerequisite coursework in introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, research methods and statistics.
Specialized course topics may include child psychology, adolescent psychology, behavior analysis, educational psychology, child psychopathology, cognitive development, juvenile delinquency, social and personality development, sociology of the family, learning theories and linguistic development.
Depending on the nature of the major or specialization, a practicum or internship in a professional setting, such as a school or medical clinic, may also be required.
Castleton State College in Vermont and Emmanuel College of Boston both offer a bachelor's degree with a concentration in developmental psychology. Colby-Sawyer College offers both an undergraduate major and minor in child development.
Eastern Washington University offers a Bachelor of Arts with a major in children's studies. Vanderbilt Peabody College offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree with a major in child studies. The University of Texas at Dallas offers a Bachelor of Science in child learning and development.
Several schools in the United States offer master's degree programs in child psychology, child studies or developmental psychology. An undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related field, such as education, sociology or biology, with a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher is needed for admission.
Course work typically includes advanced study in a variety of topics within child and adolescent psychology as well as research methods and statistics. A written thesis project or additional coursework is also required. These programs may also combine work experience in a professional counseling or educational setting.
Sarah Lawrence College and California State University at Sacramento both offer a Master of Arts in child development. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville offers a Master of Science in child and family studies. George Mason University offers a Master of Arts in psychology with a concentration in applied developmental psychology that requires a thesis or practicum.
Capella University offers a Masters of Science in psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent development through online distance learning. Claremont Graduate University offers a Master of Arts degree in applied developmental psychology and evaluation.
A wide range of doctoral degree programs in child psychology are available. These programs typically consist of advanced coursework in the chosen area of specialization alongside a major independent research project or dissertation in a topic chosen in collaboration with an academic advisor.
The final requirement in a doctoral program is an oral examination in which the doctorate candidate must formally defend the argument presented in their research project or dissertation by responding to questions and concerns posed by their professors.
Many programs combine both master's and doctoral degree programs, admitting students from the undergraduate level. Graduates are prepared for careers in academic research, teaching or clinical psychotherapy.
The Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota offers a five-year doctoral program in child psychology that includes a teaching apprenticeship. The University of Texas at Austin, Illinois State University, Texas A&M University, University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Indiana University all offer a doctoral degree program in developmental psychology.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a doctoral program in clinical psychology with a specialization in child and adolescent psychology that includes a research clerkship. The University of Kansas and University of Washington both offer doctoral training in clinical child psychology.