The Best Online Child Psychology Master’s Programs for 2025
Are you interested in helping children from birth to adolescence? Find how to select and apply to child psychology master’s degree programs.
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A master’s in child psychology degree builds on the foundational knowledge you gain in a bachelor’s degree in psychology program and delves deeply into the specialty area.
According to a recent American Psychological Association (APA) survey, nearly half of the psychologists reported an increased demand from adolescents, but many of them were not experienced in serving this age group. Explore this page to see how you can start on the path to help fill this emerging treatment gap.
Best Online Child Psychology Master’s Programs
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Online
Why We Chose This School:
Bay Path's online MS in developmental psychology emphasizes childhood development and its many influential impacts on later stages of life. We like that the curriculum begins with an overview of human development across the lifespan before delving into family dynamics, trauma, and clinical intervention techniques.
The 12-course, 36-credit program balances contemporary developmental psychology theories with their practical applications. Graduates can pursue advanced careers in applied psychology research and service delivery, or licensure-track doctoral programs.
Students can join the program three times per year: January, May, or September.
Highlights:
- Undergraduate psychology degree not required
- Study part or full time
- Mentorship opportunities available
Considerations:
- Requires 160 hours of community-based fieldwork
- $925 per credit
- No specializations or concentrations available
78%
Yes
76%
N/A
$19,235
$19,235
70%
2,465
Private
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
UMN's online MA in applied child and adolescent development emphasizes qualitative viewpoints and practical techniques for advancing mental and emotional health in youth populations. We like the program's specialization options. Students can choose from standard concentration tracks in child life or infant and early childhood mental health or design their own specialization path.
Each personalization option builds targeted skills that help graduates qualify for specialized psychology careers. The degree also transfers to adjacent areas of academic and professional practice, including nursing, policy development, criminal justice, education, and nonprofit management.
Highlights:
- 100% online
- Test-free admission process
- Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) licensure track available
Considerations:
- Some concentrations require a clinical internship and experiential components
- Undergraduate psychology coursework required for admission
- $1,665 per credit
37%
Yes
77%
N/A
$18,468
$28,578
91%
54,890
Public
How To Choose an Online Child Psychology Master’s Program
Researching and selecting the right online child psychology program can seem overwhelming. To help you narrow your choices, we’ve listed the most important factors to consider, including accreditation, admissions requirements, and costs. Eliminating the programs that aren’t accredited or those charging tuition you can’t afford can streamline your decision-making.
Accreditation
It’s important to choose both an accredited school and an accredited online child psychology master’s program. Accreditation ensures that a program’s curriculum is reviewed regularly to determine its continued academic quality. Look for institutional accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and programmatic accreditation from the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Admission Requirements
Online child psychology master’s programs list their admissions requirements on their websites. They typically include a bachelor’s degree, undergraduate GPA, and standardized test scores, such as the GRE. Carefully review the requirements as some programs may specify a particular undergraduate major (such as psychology), prerequisite courses, or minimum GPAs and GRE scores. Make sure you meet the requirements before adding a program to your list.
Career Relevance
The programs you choose should help you achieve your career goals. For example, if you want to become a child psychologist, make sure the curriculum prepares you to enter a doctoral program, which is the prerequisite degree for state licensure. If you’re interested in working with a specific population, such as autistic children or teens managing substance use disorders, verify that the programs offer courses and field experiences in those areas of interest.
Flexibility
Online programs offer varying levels of flexibility and convenience. Asynchronous learning allows the most flexibility with course materials you can access 24/7, enabling you to study at any time of the day or night. Synchronous course delivery means that you attend class virtually but at a set time. Hybrid programs combine online study with on-campus class attendance.
Cost and Financial Aid
The costs of a master’s in child psychology are a top consideration for many prospective students. School and program websites should clearly state the tuition and fee rates, along with the types of financial aid available. As a general rule, in-state public schools cost less to attend than out-of-state public universities and private institutions. Online programs sometimes offer an in-state or lower tuition rate regardless of residency.
How To Apply to an Online Child Psychology Master’s Program
Now that you’ve finalized your list of online child psychology master’s programs, it’s time to apply. This section walks you through the steps you can expect to take throughout the admission process.
- 1
Take any required entrance exams
Confirm on the programs’ admission website whether you need to provide GRE scores. If so, register to take them before applying to the program, and allow yourself plenty of time to prepare and study for the exam.
- 2
Ask professors and employers for recommendation letters
If the program requires academic and/or professional recommendations, arrange for these in advance to allow your references time to submit them. Some admission departments may have forms you can provide to your recommenders, which you can download from the school’s website.
- 3
Order transcripts
If official transcripts are required for admission, order these from each undergraduate and, if applicable, the graduate institution you’ve attended. Again, give yourself plenty of time to ensure they arrive by the application deadlines.
- 4
Prepare your admissions essay
Child psychology master’s programs typically ask for an admissions essay or personal statement, in which you explain why their program will help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Start the writing process early so you can tailor your essays for each school.
- 5
Complete the application
Admission applications may require other documentation, such as a background check (for internships and practicums), a program requirement form, or a resume.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Child Psychologist
Child psychology master’s degrees typically take 2-3 years to complete. Online students may graduate sooner through accelerated or self-paced coursework. Part-time learners will need more time to finish than full-time enrollees.
