The Best Online Child Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees for 2026
Child psychology bachelor’s programs build strong foundations for advanced study or career entry. Explore a ranked list of top-rated online programs.
Child psychology bachelor’s programs explore typical and atypical child and adolescent development, along with behavioral models and psychology theory. They also teach applied skills and lay the groundwork for future study at the graduate level.
Discover our list of the top online bachelor’s in child psychology programs, and navigate the school selection and application processes.
The Best Online Child Psychology Bachelor’s Degrees for 2026
Bay Path University – Best Pathway to Graduate Study
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose BPU: Earn Incentives for Continuing Your Education
Bay Path's BA in child psychology is ideal for students who wish to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology. The school's “Stay On the Path” program gives students a 20% discount on their graduate psychology degree programs. Undergraduate psychology majors can also take 1-2 graduate courses in their senior year.
The bachelor’s in child psychology program lets you study all aspects of child development. It prepares you to continue in the master’s program in clinical mental health counseling, which qualifies graduates for licensure as a licensed mental health counselor.
Other Highlights
- Fully online asynchronous instruction
- Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Transfer up to 90 credits for a bachelor’s degree
Considerations
- All women's institution but online programs open to men and women
- "Stay on the Path" discount available to new students beginning their studies during approved semesters and meeting additional requirements.
- Tuition costs $38,731 per year for full-time students plus a $330 technology fee.
93%
$37,227
69%
$37,227
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,643
- Institution Type
- Private
Metropolitan State University of Denver – Best for Early Career Exploration
- Denver, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose MSU Denver: Gain Experience Through Internships and Service Learning
We chose MSU Denver's human development and family studies BA for its internship and service learning experiences at local government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Students can take an internship in psychology or an advanced internship in psychology for three credits each to fulfill their interdisciplinary applications or senior experience requirements.
The 120-credit online program prepares students for careers in early childhood and elementary education, human services, family counseling, care for older adults, and social work. The courses cover human development from infancy to older adulthood, along with statistics, research methods, and multicultural psychology.
Other Highlights
- 87% of students work part-time or full-time.
- 55% of students receive scholarships or grants.
- Full-time students can receive a tuition lock for 2–4 years.
Considerations
- Students in fully online programs are eligible for up to $1,000 per semester in scholarships, awarded each semester based on the number of credits completed.
- Required major courses may also count toward general studies or ethics studies and social justice requirements.
- Must have an overall GPA of 2.0 to graduate.
68%
$ 8,868
70%
$27,591
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Students Enrolled
- 17,593
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Identified Top Schools and Programs
Our editorial team reviewed each school and program to identify standout characteristics, prioritizing factors like flexibility, affordability, hands-on experience, and relevance of the curriculum to a career in psychology. We assigned each school a superlative category based on its strengths.
Since many psychology programs share similar course offerings and outcomes, our goal is to support your program selection process by highlighting features that matter to you most.
We verified these school and program facts in November 2025.
How To Choose an Online Child Psychology Bachelor’s Program
When researching child psychology bachelor’s programs, look closely at accreditation, admission requirements, cost, format, and whether the curriculum aligns with your interests and career goals.
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation signals that a school meets academic quality standards and that employers and other accredited schools will recognize your degree.
Check the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) accreditation database to ensure that each school on your list is accredited by an agency recognized by CHEA.
Admission Requirements
Some schools use inclusive admission standards to remove barriers to program entry. Others have more selective policies, requiring higher grades or test scores and more precise academic prerequisites.
Career Relevance
Schools usually lay out their core philosophy and educational objectives on their websites. Look to these — and to the school’s child psychology program curriculum — for evidence that the program lines up with your long-term career plans.
For example, you might seek out programs with research or internship opportunities or curricula that cover applied topics in child psychology.
Flexibility
Online child psychology programs inherently offer more flexibility than on-campus alternatives. However, you should also consider whether the school delivers online classes in real-time (synchronously) or with pre-recorded lectures (asynchronously). You may want to enroll part time if you’re working or balancing other commitments while going to school.
Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition rates are a major factor but are not the only cost consideration. The net price of attendance, which is the amount you pay after student aid, is arguably even more relevant.
Schools with strong financial aid packages reduce students’ net costs. See what each school offers you in terms of non-repayable aid, including scholarships, grants, and tuition reductions or waivers.
How To Apply to an Online Child Psychology Bachelor’s Program
Each institution has its own application requirements, and you should always follow the school’s guidelines when applying.
At the same time, many schools share similar application processes. Here’s a roadmap you can follow as you prepare to apply:
- Determine Your Admission Status
Will you be applying as a first-time college student, or have you already attended college? If the latter, check the school’s transfer credit policy to see if you can obtain advanced standing for your existing coursework.
- Prepare Your Application
As a bachelor’s student, you will submit a general undergraduate application to the institution that hosts your program. Prepare it with care, as errors and omissions may cause delays or force you to reapply at a later date.
Also, check to see whether application costs apply. Some schools charge fees, while others do not.
- Gather Your Supporting Documentation
Schools almost always require applicants to submit academic transcripts. If you’ve never attended college before, you’ll send your high school transcripts if you’ve never attended college or your college transcripts.
You may also need to provide:
- ACT or SAT scores
- Personal essay
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Check For Completeness
Before sending in your application, create a checklist of materials and perform a systematic review of your documents. Make sure you have everything the school requires, and also ensure you submit your materials well ahead of any application deadlines that apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Child Psychologist
Becoming a fully licensed child psychologist can take 8-12 years. You will need a four-year bachelor’s degree and likely a master’s degree, plus a doctorate. Depending on your state, you must also complete about 1,500-6,000 clinical training hours, which can take several years.
