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Child psychologist working with a child with text "Fatima Salem Pease '19"

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

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Register By: July 01 Classes Start: July 03

Earn a Master's in Child Psychology

  • $627/credit (36 credits total)
  • Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
  • Learn from faculty with real-world experience
  • Work with children and adolescents
  • Learn valuable research skills
  • No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores required

Master's in Child Psychology Concentration Overview

If you want to make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents, then consider an online Master of Science in Psychology (MS) with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology with Southern New Hampshire University.

Focus on the study of research methods, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality, learning theory, ethical practice and more. You’ll learn how people grow and adapt at different stages of life, while helping them reach their full potential.

In the master's in child psychology online program, you'll develop assessment, evaluation and treatment strategies that address the unique individual, cultural and psychological needs of children and families. Hone your research methods and learn about developmental psychology and intervention strategies in depth, specifically as they relate to children and adolescents.

While the child psychology master’s program does not lead to state licensure, the degree program can prepare you for a rich and rewarding career working with children and adolescents, as well as prepare you to pursue doctoral studies.

What You'll Learn

  • How to support the psychological well-being of all people
  • How to design, conduct and evaluate research
  • Developmental psychology specific to children and adolescents
  • Appreciation for collaboration and diversity of perspectives
  • Ethical practices in all aspects of the profession of psychology

How You'll Learn

At SNHU, you'll get support from day 1 to graduation and beyond. And with no set class times, 24/7 access to the online classroom and helpful learning resources along the way, you'll have everything you need to reach your goals.

8 Types of Psychology with Real-World Perspective

The study of psychology can be personally and professionally rewarding. Among the many concentrations in the field you can find diverse opportunities to learn about how people interact with one another in relationships, in the workplace and more.

Career Outlook

The MS degree in child and adolescent developmental psychology degree typically attracts others who want to help young people, either immediately after graduating or upon completion of a doctoral degree.

While the master's in psychology online program does not lead to licensure or certification, it does prepare you to continue your education or to enter a number of fields.  

Where Could You Work?

Child welfare agencies

Investigate reports of possible child abuse or neglect, provide services to families in need of assistance or arrange for protection and care of children who are victims of neglect. 

Schools

Use your expertise in psychology to help children of all ages with their mental and behavioral health, social skills or even academics. 

Group homes

Provide support or other treatment to assist children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and other needs.

Parenting programs

You can also use your skills to assist parents who need training in basic parenting skills to help children stay safe and in the home. 

Healthcare facilities

There are many opportunities within healthcare facilities to assist children and families with stress, mental illness or other behavioral challenges. You could teach classes for parents, families and educators about parenting skills and classroom management techniques.

Your skills can translate to virtually any setting where children, adolescents and families need professional guidance or intervention.

If you are interested in working hands on with patients in a clinical setting, consider enrolling in our master's in counseling. This program was designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in most states.

Graduates of the child and adolescent developmental psychology program can enter the psychology career field confidently possessing the knowledge and skills in research, analysis, assessment, human behavior and professional collaboration necessary to succeed in the job of your choice.

Job Growth

With a predicted 6% increase in job outlook across the entire psychology profession from 2021 to 2031, career prospects are strong.1

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary across psychologists of all specialties was $81,040 in 2021.1

Start Your Journey Toward an Online Child Development Degree Concentration

Help Someone Reach Their Full Potential

Jay GreinerDr. Jay Greiner, adjunct instructor

“Developmental psychologists study how people grow and adapt – physically and psychologically . . . and conduct research to understand and support people to reach their full potential,”

Courses & Curriculum

In this master's program, you'll learn to apply psychology research and theories to real-world contexts. Courses are taught by instructors with professional credentials and industry experience.

Dr. Nickolas Dominello with the text Dr. Nickolas Dominello

"Psychology’s status as a science is grounded in the use of the scientific method," said Dr. Nickolas Dominello, associate dean of social sciences at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "Psychologists base their professional practice in knowledge that is obtained through verifiable evidence of human behavior and mental process." The curriculum for the master's in child psychology at SNHU was designed with this in mind.

The degree program consists of 36 credits total, with 24 major credits in general psychology and 12 credits that focus specifically on child and developmental psychology. All students must have a bachelor's degree that includes coursework in introduction to psychology, social science statistics and research methods in a social science. Students without this coursework are still eligible for the child psychology master's program, but may have to complete comparable foundational coursework prior to beginning major coursework.

Major Courses

Throughout all courses, you'll deepen your understanding in crucial areas of psychology including cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive neuropsychology. Major courses may include:

  • Research Methods in Psychology. Learn how to gather and analyze data to plan and conduct research in real-world applications.
  • Social Psychology. Examine contemporary and classic theory on how people interact with their environment, technology and society as a whole, and how that affects their behavior.
  • Theories of Personality. Explore the theories and approaches that pertain to personality and its many variations throughout disparate populations.
  • Ethical Practice in Psychology. Study moral principles within the field of psychology and where you may learn to apply expected professional standards of conduct.

In addition to these areas, you'll also sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while applying theory to practical applications. All coursework integrates how mental processes such as memory, language, attention, learning and decision-making inform the practice of psychology.

Concentration Courses

To build on this foundation in general psychology, you can then add key coursework to prepare you for a career working with children and adolescents. Child and developmental psychology concentration courses include:

  • Developmental Psychology. Dive into a variety of theoretical perspectives leading to an understanding of contemporary topics central to childhood and adolescent development.
  • Cognitive Neuropsychology. Examine the neuropsychological approach to examining the connection between the brain and cognitive processes. Studying dysfunctions from birth to adolescence, you'll learn techniques used to study the brain and behavior.
  • Intervention Strategies. Cover the major intervention strategies in child and adolescent development. Contemporary and traditional strategies in the field may be examined. Students may also practice applying these strategies to real-world scenarios.
  • Child and Developmental Psychology Seminar. Integrate all skills and knowledge gained throughout the program to demonstrate your proficiency in developmental psychology, cognitive neuropsychology and intervention strategies.

Across all courses in the program, you'll hone key transferable skills that can position you to apply these skills in the study of psychology across the profession. Such skills include written and oral communication, statistics and research methods.

Capstone

The master's in child development online culminates in a capstone course for all students. This course is designed to allow you to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills you've gained in the study of child and developmental psychology. Rather than introduce new concepts, the aim of this course is to support student success in readying you to apply the scientific method and use observation, experimentation and analysis throughout your career.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Graduate Programs Per Course Per Credit Hour Annual Cost for 15 credits 
Degree/Certificates $1,881 $627 $9,405 
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)*
$1,410 $470 $7,050 

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

Frequently Asked Questions

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