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Are you interested in career advancement opportunities in child psychology? This guide can help put you on the path to achieving your goals. We offer a ranking list of the best child psychology master's programs, plus information on what to look for when researching different schools and what you need to apply.
Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Child Psychology Master's Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 The Best Online Child Psychology Master’s Programs for 2025
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA - 4 years
- 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
#2 The Best Online Child Psychology Master’s Programs for 2025
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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
Our Ranking Methodology
Psychology.org ranks education programs using data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education. Our vetting process also includes a quality assurance team that assesses datasets for accuracy.
Psychology.org reserves the right to exclude any schools that lack significant data from the rankings to ensure accurate calculations. This list is for 2025. For more about how Psychology.org evaluates and ranks education programs, visit our full ranking methodology.
What to Consider When Choosing an Online Child Psychology Master's Degree
Researching online child psychology master's programs can seem overwhelming. Key factors to consider include accreditation, career relevance, hybrid and online options, cost and financial aid, and practical experience requirements.
Accreditation
Accrediting organizations review schools and programs to ensure they meet high standards of academic quality. Choosing a regionally or nationally accredited school qualifies you for state licensure, financial aid, admission to doctoral programs, and future employment opportunities.
You'll also want to look for programmatic accreditation. The main accreditor of psychology master's programs is the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). MPCAC accreditation signifies adherence to the latest industry standards and integration of science-based practice.
Career Relevance
It's important to select a master's program that aligns with your interests and career goals. Whether you're aiming to become a clinical child psychologist, family counselor, or school psychologist, short-list the programs that offer the applicable courses, concentrations, and electives you need. Internship and practicum opportunities should also correspond to your goals, such as including placements in schools if you aspire to be a school psychologist.
If you want to become a licensed clinical child psychologist, you also need a doctorate degree. So, your master's curriculum should prepare you to enter a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or Ph.D. in psychology program.
Hybrid and Online Options
Online programs range from entirely web-based coursework to a hybrid of distance learning and on-campus classes. Fully online child psychology master's programs are rare, however, due to required in-person internships and clinical practicums.
Studying online can mean live virtual class sessions at set times (synchronous) or 24/7 access to recorded lectures and course materials (asynchronous). Programs may offer one or both types of online learning.
Choosing the appropriate course delivery format is important based on what kind of learner you are. If you're organized, disciplined, and work well independently, asynchronous study may be for you. If you need more structure, consider a synchronous or hybrid format.
Cost and Financial Aid
Most students prioritize tuition costs and financial aid options. In general, public universities in your state of residence will cost less, while private institutions will be more expensive. In 2020, average tuition and fees for master's degrees in psychology ranged from $11,293 for public institutions to $14,700 for private institutions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Online students often pay in-state rates regardless of residency. Distance learning can also save money on commuting and student room and board costs. Financial aid, including loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study, can also reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Practical Experience Requirements
A key component of online child psychology master's programs includes practicum experience. Internships and practicums offer opportunities for applying classroom concepts and methods in professional settings. Generally, practicums involve closely supervised training where you observe psychology professionals. Internships are also supervised but provide more hands-on, independent experiences working with clients.
Field experiences take place in private practice environments, agencies, healthcare and rehabilitation facilities, and schools. Your career goals can help determine the best setting for you. When evaluating degree options, consider prioritizing programs that permit completing field experiences in your local area, maintaining relationships with employers in your field of interest, and/or providing clinical placement assistance.
Applying to an Online Child Psychology Master's
Once you narrow your choices for online child psychology master's programs, it's time to apply. Typical graduate application requirements start with a bachelor's degree. Some schools require a bachelor's in psychology, while others accept closely related majors (e.g., social work, criminal justice, education, or healthcare) with foundational psychology, research methods, and statistical analysis coursework.
Your undergraduate transcripts should show a 3.0 GPA, particularly for the last 60 credits. GRE or other standardized test scores may be optional, but submitting high test scores can boost a lower GPA.
Other potential requirements include resumes, personal essays, and recommendation letters. Participation in internships and practicums often requires a background check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Child Psychology Master's Programs
Is a master's in child psychology worth it?
To become a licensed child psychologist, you need a master's degree, at minimum. With a master's, you can offer counseling services to children or work as a school psychologist. But, to practice clinical child psychology independently and use the title of "psychologist," you will also need a doctorate in psychology.
Can I get a degree in child psychology online?
You can earn your master's in child psychology online. Most coursework will take place through distance learning, but practicums and internships require in-person attendance. Online programs typically allow students to find field training opportunities in their local areas.
How long does it take to get a master's degree in child psychology?
Child psychology master's programs average 2-3 years of full-time study. If you enroll as a part-time student or enter an accelerated program, you may spend more or less time earning your degree and completing your practicums and internships.
What is the highest degree in child psychology?
A doctorate is the terminal degree for child psychologists. If you're interested in becoming a clinical child psychologist, you'll need a Psy.D. or a Ph.D. in psychology. Most practitioners who want to work directly with children pursue a Psy.D. Those interested in academia or research usually opt for a Ph.D.