What Types of Degrees are Available in Child Psychology?

<p>Although child psychology degrees are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, many graduates planning for a career as a child psychologist choose to complete a doctoral degree. Other positions in this field can be acquired with a master's, bachelor's or associate's degree. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Office setting, Clinical setting, School setting</td></tr> <tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Intro to Psychology, Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence, Educational Psychology</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $81,040 (<i>for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists</i>)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 6% (<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---DoctoralDegreesInChildPsychology">Doctoral Degrees in Child Psychology</h3> <p>A doctoral degree in child psychology is a common requirement if you plan to set up a private practice. In most jurisdictions, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is required in order to be licensed to practice child psychology. Child psychology specialities available at the doctoral level include school psychology, clinical psychology and applied developmental psychology. </p> <h3 id="section---MasterSDegreeInChildPsychology">Master's Degree in Child Psychology</h3> <p>A master's degree in child psychology can be either a Master of Arts (M.A.) or a Master of Science (M.S.). Career options with a master's degree in this field include positions as a school counsellor, licensed professional counsellor or as a psychological associate supervised by a licensed, doctorate-holding psychologist. A master's degree in child psychology may be used as a step in the long-term goal of obtaining a doctoral degree. </p> <h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreeInChildPsychology">Bachelor's Degree in Child Psychology</h3> <p>Bachelor's programs in child psychology are rare, but bachelor's programs in psychology with a child development concentration are more widely available. Earning a bachelor's degree in this field may allow you to obtain health or human services jobs involving children. A bachelor's degree curriculum plus experience can lead to a career as one of the following: </p> <ul><li>Juvenile probation officer </li><li>Youth worker </li><li>Child development worker </li><li>Childcare worker </li><li>Children's camp director </li></ul><h3 id="section---AssociateSDegreeInChildPsychology">Associate's Degree in Child Psychology</h3> <p>Very few schools offer associate's degrees in child psychology, but you can find an associate's degree in psychology or early childhood development that cover the psychology of children. An associate's degree in these fields might lead to entry-level positions in community outreach, child care or social services.</p>