How to Become a Child Psychologist: Education, Licensure, and Salary Guide

Beginning with an undergraduate degree and culminating with a doctorate and a license, it typically takes at least 10 years to become a child psychologist. While licensure requirements vary by state, becoming a child psychologist generally include the following steps:

Your journey begins with a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes about four years of full-time study. Ideal majors include general psychology or child psychology. This program builds your educational foundation for graduate school.

Master’s degrees in child psychology are an important bridge between foundational and advanced studies. If you did not specialize in child psychology at the bachelor’s level, a concentrated master’s degree can help you address knowledge gaps.

Note that some doctoral programs accept candidates without an advanced degree. However, a master’s degree can support your success at the doctoral level. Schools also offer intensive graduate programs leading to a combined master’s and doctoral degrees.

To become a child psychologist, you will need a doctoral degree. Some states additionally require that you earn a doctorate specifically accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Psychology doctorates come in doctor or psychology (Psy.D.) and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) variants. Psy.D. degrees generally emphasize applied clinical skills, while child psychology Ph.D. programs focus more on research and pedagogy. Both degrees can qualify you for licensure.

Along with a doctorate, you must complete supervised clinical training to qualify for a child psychologist license. Graduate programs work some of these experiences into their curricula, but you must continue accruing hours beyond graduation. Specific requirements vary by state, with the APA citing a range of 1,500–6,000 hours.

You can proceed with licensing after completing your education and accruing the necessary number of clinical experience hours. You must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) to earn your initial license. Some states also require jurisprudence and/or ethics tests.

Child psychologists often operate private solo or group practices, but they also work in other settings, including:

Some work in multiple settings, or on a contract or consultant basis.

While remote telehealth sessions can work well for adult clients, they pose unique challenges for children and adolescents. Researchers documented these challenges in a 2023 study published in the Current Psychology journal.

Face-to-face sessions remain a widely used standard in child psychology. However, child psychologists can use telehealth platforms to make mental health services available to people who would not otherwise be able to access them.

When asked, “What is something you wish someone had told you when you were on the path to becoming a psychologist?” licensed clinical psychologist, Debbie Teng, PsyD, responded:

“The time and financial commitment! In order to be a practicing psychologist, one has to attain their doctorate. Student loans/financial aid added up to a six-figure amount for me after five years (counting internship year), and I was mired in debt. After graduation, you then need to accumulate supervision hours and then study and pass the EPPP licensure exam to be a practicing psychologist, which also involves more time and money. If a student has a clear idea that they want to do just therapy, for example, they may want to be aware that there are other pathways to that goal that would reduce the time and costs (i.e., LPC, LCSW, etc).”