A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child Psychology is an educational option for those interested in working closely with children and aiding in their emotional, social and cognitive development. Entry-level positions in the fields of teaching, social services and health services are often available to those with a bachelor's degree in this subject. Continue reading for more insight on what you can do with a BA degree in child psychology.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child Psychology: Overview
Bachelor's degree programs in child psychology develop skills that can be applied toward jobs that focus on children and adolescents within the health or human services sectors. These skills are largely related to communicating effectively with children, with the goal of counselling them through the developmental stages of life. Typical BA programs offer child psychology as a concentration within a more general psychology major, though some schools do offer a major directly in child psychology. In addition to coursework, programs may include practical training through fieldwork, internships and/or research.
Courses you may take in a BA in Child Psychology program include:
- Lifespan development
- Early childhood education
- Psychometric testing
- Children's cognition
- Language learning
- Experiential learning
- Special needs children
- Social behaviour in children
- Counseling children
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutChildPsychology"> Important Facts About Child Psychology</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Personal office, hospital, clinic, rehabilitation centres, mental health facility, elementary and secondary schools</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Empathetic listener, excellent written and oral communication skills, strong problem solving ability, researcher, analyzing situations, trustworthiness</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $82,510 (<i>for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 10% (<i>for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---OptionsAfterGraduating"> Options After Graduating</h3><p>With a BA in Child Psychology, you have an array of career paths you could follow. You could work in early childhood development as a teacher or counsellor, or you could work as an elementary teacher (which would require you to complete additional training and earn state certification or licensure as a teacher). You could go into non-profit work or find employment with a government agency, advocating for children's rights through campaigns, fundraising and public information distribution. With further training, you might also go into social work or pediatric nursing.
</p><h3 id="section---ChildCare"> Child Care</h3><p>A BA in Child Psychology is a common educational choice for those interested in caring for children. A child psychology concentration prepares you to work in children's camps or as a counsellor for childcare facilities. Graduates can also find work caring for infants and children who require special education programs.
</p><h3 id="section---SubstanceAbuseTreatment"> Substance Abuse Treatment</h3><p>Facilities that assess and treat substance abuse in children and adolescents often hire those with documented training in child psychology. With a BA in Child Psychology, you can also find employment in public or nonprofit programs that prevent youth substance abuse. Tasks and responsibilities related to assessment and counselling are performed under the supervision and direction of a licensed psychologist.
</p><h3 id="section---GraduateDegreeInChildPsychology"> Graduate Degree in Child Psychology</h3><p>Since a doctoral degree is a common requirement to practice as a clinical child psychologist, many bachelor's degree programs are structured to provide the base upon which graduate study is built. A student working toward a BA in Child Psychology can complete the necessary requirements in the undergraduate degree program that will facilitate entry into an accredited doctoral program.</p>
