Which Universities Offer Child Psychology Degree Programs?
Several well-known U.S. universities offer degree programs in child or developmental psychology. Read on to learn more about three highly regarded universities that offer graduate degree programs accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Overview
Child psychologists treat and diagnose children under 18 years old with social, behavioral, emotional, or other mental problems. They are highly-trained professional counselors that take into account all aspects of a child's life as part of the process. This includes but is not limited to the child's school, home, and additional social environments.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutChildPsychologists">Important Facts About Child Psychologists</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td>Adolescent Psychology, Biological Factors</td></tr>
<tr><td>Degree Levels</td><td>Bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td>Fully</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td>Requirements vary depending on sate for license renewal</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---UniversityOfMinnesota">University of Minnesota</h3><p>Tied among the nation's top 30th public schools, the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is home to the country's best developmental psychology program and tied at eighth-best graduate psychology program. Its Ph.D. in Child Psychology program prepares graduates to take positions in research or academic settings. Applied or clinical psychology positions that specialize in treating children and adolescents are also options for graduates. The following four minors have been approved for doctoral students in child psychology at the University of Minnesota:
</p><ul><li>Cognitive science
</li><li>Interpersonal relationships research
</li><li>Neuroscience
</li><li>Prevention science
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMichigan">University of Michigan</h3><p>Ranked second in the nation for its graduate program in developmental psychology and third among public schools by <i>U.S. News & World Report</i> in 2021, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. The first year of this program focuses on theories and methods in developmental psychology, while the second and third years feature advanced courses and seminars. Most time after the third year is spent on a doctoral dissertation.
</p><h3 id="section---DukeUniversity">Duke University</h3><p>Duke University in Durham, NC, twelfth among national universities and 17th among graduate psychology programs in <i>U.S. News & World Report's</i> 2021 rankings. The university's Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology program primarily prepares students for careers in research and/or academia. Doctoral candidates choose a concentration area in social, cognitive or biological/evolutionary psychology, and they must complete two practicum projects and give two talks before graduating. Duke also offers a graduate certificate program in developmental psychology in collaboration with the nearby University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.</p>