Master’s in Child Psychology & Development Online MS in Psychology Concentration

With a master’s in child development, there are many opportunities available to make a real difference in the lives of others. Understanding child and adolescent development involves studying how people grow and adapt at different life stages. Expertise in this area allows you to help others reach their full potential, be it through clinical work, education or as an advocate.

Some possible career paths include:

• School psychologist: In this role, you might be part of a team to support the ability of students to learn. More specifically, you might be in a position to apply your professional expertise in mental health and child development to help students of all ages succeed academically and behaviorally.
• Clinical psychologist: This is a specialized role that requires licensure to work with others in a mental health setting. As a clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent psychology, you might diagnose and treat people in this age group who have a variety of mental, behavioral and emotional illnesses.
• School counselor: Working full time in a school, the person in this role may use their child development background to help students develop both academic and social skills. They may provide advice and guidance on career or college choices, and generally help direct students so they may move forward in school and in life with confidence. As with school psychologists, becoming a school counselor may require additional training and licensure.
• Social worker: A background in child development may be especially helpful for the person in this role. You may work to help others solve problems relating to their family structure and home life. You may help protect vulnerable children and families and provide support to ensure their safety. You may also receive additional training and licensure qualifying you to diagnose and treat a variety of mental, behavioral and emotional issues. Learn more about how to become a social worker.
• Child advocate: In this role, you may work as a lobbyist, taking action to influence lawmakers to create more legal protections for children and families. You may work to ensure that a child’s behavioral, medical and emotional needs are met. Or, you may facilitate court-ordered family visitations or attend court hearings as an advocate to a child.
• Qualified intellectual disability professional: This is a specialized role where a strong background in child and adolescent development can be very helpful. In this role, you may work with individuals or small groups to help persons with intellectual disabilities learn life skills and job skills.

Note: Some of the positions above require a doctoral degree, advanced training or licensure. While the MS program at SNHU does not lead to licensure, the coursework is aligned with industry standards and prepares you for doctoral-level studies, should you choose to continue your education.

Not only are child development classes available online, they're available at a high level of rigor and accessibility.

When considering an online program, it’s important to ensure that the school is accredited. You should also look for evidence that the school has a demonstrated commitment to student success. Internships and experiential opportunities can round out an online education and prepare you for the workplace.

With SNHU, you can take courses such as:

• Developmental Psychology: This course provides a deep dive into the theoretical perspectives of child and adolescent development.
• Cognitive Neuropsychology: Closely examine the psychology behind how the brain works. The study of the brain and behavior are the hallmarks of this course.
• Intervention Strategies: Both contemporary and traditional intervention methods within child and adolescent development may be covered here. You may also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
• Child and Developmental Psychology Seminar: This course may take a holistic view of child and adolescent psychology, integrating all skills learned throughout the master's in child development online program.

Each of these courses is designed to provide you with top-of-the-line instruction in the field of child development so that whichever direction you choose to take your career, you are ready to help others reach their fullest potential.

Like with any degree, only you can decide if a master's degree is the right path for you. That being said, a master's degree in child psychology can provide you with the specialized expertise you may be looking for.

If you have a passion for working with children and want to make a difference in their lives or feel called to work in child advocacy, a master's degree in psychology with a concentration in child development allows you to dive deep into child development, including emotional well-being and behavioral issues. With the specialized skill set a master's degree offers, you might find better career flexibility and a greater variety of job settings to choose from.

Perhaps the best part of getting a master's degree online is the ability to customize the pace of your education. At SNHU, the child and developmental psychology MS degree can be completed in as little as 15 months. If you need to take it slower, that's fine, too. Courses are available online 24/7, so you can complete your work at a pace that suits your schedule.

If your undergraduate degree isn't in psychology or a related field, you may be required to complete up to 3 foundational courses before you begin your master's degree courses. However, our admission counselors can help ensure that you receive the maximum number of transfer credits possible based on any prior coursework you've already completed.

The choice of whether to get a Master of Science (MS) or a Master of Arts (MA) in psychology largely depends on the career path you'd like to take. An MS degree has a greater emphasis on research and science. It is generally more STEM-oriented than an MA and is well-suited for anyone working toward clinical or data-driven career field.

An MA in psychology, on the other hand, provides more of an emphasis on counseling and theory. It is generally more liberal-arts oriented than a master of science, and is well-suited for careers in counseling, therapy, social work or education.

No matter which degree you choose, keep in mind that your specific career goal may require further education and licensure beyond a master's degree.

Learn more about the difference between the Master of Arts and Master of Science.

To become a child psychologist, you'll need a doctoral degree in psychology with a focus on child psychology, child development or adolescent psychology. You'll also be required to obtain state licensure wherever you choose to practice as a child psychologist.

While the master's degree program at SNHU is not a clinical program and does not prepare you for state licensure, it does provide the foundation needed for a rich and rewarding career and for doctoral-level coursework, should you choose to continue your education further.