Ph.D. and PsyD in Child Psychology Degree Programs

A doctorate degree in child psychology provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of child development, behavior, and mental health. This is the most advanced academic degree program in the field.

Once completed with the extensive study, you'll be qualified for a range of high-level careers within child psychology. Students who graduate work as cold psychologists, school psychologists, child advocates, caseworkers, behavior therapists, early childhood educators, policymakers, researchers, and in other fields.

You can expect to support children facing a variety of challenges. They may work with children who are struggling with mental health issues, emotional difficulties, social anxiety, developmental disabilities, or other challenges. With a doctorate, you may be working one-on-one with children, or you might have a more administrative role.

Many online doctorate programs in child psychology exist, though they are not as common as traditional programs. Learn more about these programs and how to complete your doctorate degree in child psychology online by reading the sections below.

What Will I Learn in an Online Child Psychology Doctorate Program?

Doctorate degrees involve extensive study of their subject matter, either from a research-focused or a clinically focused perspective.

The more research-centric degree is a doctor of philosophy or Ph.D. This type of program typically involves two years of classes and another two to four years of research and writing. There's a practical component as well, but it's not as long as the Psy.D. degrees. The total time for a Ph.D. program is usually four to six years following a master’s degree program.

The more clinically centric degree is a doctor of psychology or Psy.D. The program involves some research and writing, but it’s much heavier on classroom work and practical work. The practicum of a Psy.D. degree is often 1,500 hours of supervised work. In most cases, these degrees can be completed in three years.

Regardless of which degree you choose, both will have certain common classes. Some online classes you might take are:

• Child Development

• Abnormal Child Psychology

• Child Assessment and Evaluation

• Child Mental Health

• Developmental Disabilities

• Child and Family Therapy

• Ethical and Legal Issues in Child Psychology

Admissions Requirements for a Doctorate in Child Psychology

Child psychology doctorate programs can be highly competitive, and many schools look for students who exceed their minimum requirements. Moreover, the minimum requirements can vary from one school to another.

In general, you should expect to supply the following items when applying for one of these programs:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or any other field

• Master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field (not always required)

• GPA that meets the program's minimum requirement (usually ~3.5)

• Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

• Letters of recommendation from academics and professionals

• Personal essay outlining the reason for applying to a program

• CV listing academic and professional accomplishments related to the field

• Interview with a faculty member or director of the school's program

• Application fee (usually fairly small compared to tuition)

More competitive programs might want you to have a graduate certificate, additional master's degree, extensive professional experience, or other additional qualifications.

List of Child Psychology Doctorate Degree Programs

Find an online or campus-based doctorate degree program in psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

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Joel Gill

Joel Gill is a writer with a background in psychology. He earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a deep interest in the human mind and behavior. Joel's writing often explores themes related to mental health, relationships, and personal growth. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys cycling, meditation, and spending time with his family.