Child Psychology Ph.D. Programs Guide
Interested in a career in child psychology? Explore how a Ph.D. in child psychology can prepare you for this growing field.
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Key Takeaways
- Child psychologists diagnose, assess, and treat children with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
- The need for mental health professionals who specialize in children and adolescents continues to grow.
- Most states require a doctorate from an APA-accredited institution or equivalent and clinical hours for licensure as a child psychologist.
What Is a Ph.D. in Child Psychology?
If you’re interested in a career helping children overcome mental health challenges, consider earning a Ph.D. in child psychology. A doctorate in child psychology prepares you to help fill persistent treatment gaps for adolescents. It paves the way for clinical practice, teaching careers, and research positions.
A Ph.D. in child psychology is required for licensure as a child psychologist. Clinical child psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat children and adolescents. These practitioners address various issues such as psychological problems, stress, and trauma.
The following guide explores the curriculum for a Ph.D. in child psychology, degree costs, and potential careers and salaries.
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Child Psychology?
A Ph.D. in child psychology paves the way for a variety of careers. Doctoral candidates may plan to pursue work as practitioners in a clinical setting, such as independent practice.
The American Psychological Association (APA) identifies a strong demand for clinical child psychologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects 13% job growth for clinical and counseling psychologists, which is much higher than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Some graduates may pursue non-clinical jobs as researchers or teachers at universities and other institutions. The following table highlights the roles and salary information for several occupations. Note that earnings will depend on various factors, such as profession, location, and experience.
Child Psychologist
Child psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders in children and adolescents. They provide evidence-based interventions such as psychotherapy.
Median Salary: $96,100 (BLS, May 2023)
School Psychologist
School psychologists assess, diagnose, and implement interventions to address mental health, behavioral, and developmental issues in school settings.
Median Salary: $84,940 (BLS, May 2023)
Social Scientist
Social scientists in child psychology study the human brain and behavior in children and adolescents. They design studies, conduct experiments, and report their findings in academic and research settings.
Median Salary: $95,890 (BLS, May 2023)
Postsecondary Teacher
Child psychology professors teach various areas of psychology, such as child, abnormal, and developmental psychology, at postsecondary institutions. They may also conduct research and publish their work in scholarly publications.
Median Salary: $82,140 (BLS, May 2023)
Continuing Your Education in Child Psychology
State licensing boards for mental health professionals require continuing education (CE) credits for license renewal. Licensed child psychologists complete CE credits to stay current on developments in the field and advance their education. Professional organizations such as the APA offer CE programs.
How Much Does a Ph.D. in Child Psychology Cost?
The cost of a Ph.D. in child psychology depends on factors such as whether you plan to attend a public or private institution, or an in-person or online program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), during the 2021-2022 school year, annual graduate tuition and fees at public schools were $12,596 and $28,017 at private institutions.
Doctoral programs often offer university-sponsored funding packages that cover tuition, fees, and other expenses in exchange for graduate teaching and research assistantships.
You can also explore financial aid options such as federal loans, federal and state grants, and scholarships.
Admission Requirements for a Ph.D. in Child Psychology
You can enroll in a Ph.D. in child psychology program with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the program. While criteria vary, these are typical admission requirements for a Ph.D. in psychology.
- Bachelor’s or master’s in psychology, related major, and/or prerequisite coursework
- Research experience
- Competitive GPA scores (minimum 2.5-3.5 GPA)
- GRE or GMAT scores (often optional)
- A personal statement
- Letters of recommendation from undergraduate or graduate professors
- Writing sample
- A resume
- An interview
How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. in Child Psychology?
Most doctoral programs in psychology require a 4-7 year commitment that includes practicums and an internship at an approved site. The length of the program will depend on whether you are admitted with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Full-time participation accelerates degree completion compared to part-time enrollment.
Ph.D. in Child Psychology Accreditation
The APA primary accrediting agency for psychology programs in the United States. Accreditation is important to ensure the program meets state board licensure requirements.
Common Coursework
Students complete 60-100 credits for a Ph.D. in child psychology. The following lists common courses in a doctoral program.
- Biological Bases of Behavior: Doctoral students examine theoretical principles and research on the biological bases of normal and abnormal behavior. Topics may include the impacts of the nervous system, genetics, and epigenetics on the regulation of psychological processes and behavior.
- Social Development: Students review psychological theories and the literature on social development. The curriculum may cover topics such as the impact of family dynamics, child care, and child abuse and neglect on social development.
- Psychological Assessment of Children: This course explores the use of standardized assessment techniques to evaluate children’s behavior and personality.
- Therapeutic Interventions in Children: This course covers the clinical approaches used to address a variety of mental, behavioral, and emotional challenges in children. Topics include the efficacy of interventions such as parent education and play therapy.
- Research Methods in Clinical Psychology: Students review the research methodology used to identify psychological research problems, design studies, and evaluate the results. They explore the pitfalls and biases that compromise research integrity.
Specializations
A doctoral program may offer specializations such as school, developmental, or neuropsychology.
Clinical Components or Internships
Enrollees complete a practicum component and at least a year-long internship delivering psychological services at an approved site, such as a school, clinic, or juvenile justice system.
Is a Ph.D. in Child Psychology Worth It?
Consider your career goals to determine whether a Ph.D. in child psychology is right for you. The field has a strong projected employment growth because of the high demand for psychological services for children.
The American Psychological Association (APA) identifies a strong demand for clinical child psychologists. About 1 in 7 children aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, yet only slightly more than half have spoken to a healthcare professional about mental and emotional challenges, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects 13% job growth for clinical and counseling psychologists, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations.
Beyond job demand and impact, you can consider your return on investment (ROI). Factor in tuition and financial aid to determine your net college cost. Compare this figure to the typical salary for a child psychologist and related professions to determine your ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ph.D. in Child Psychology Programs
Most states require a doctorate, practicum, internship, and passing a state exam to qualify for licensure to practice as a child psychologist.
