Developmental psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on the changes and continuities that occur throughout a person’s life. It studies human development from infancy to old age, including physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

If you’re interested in a career in developmental psychology, obtaining a psychology degree is a crucial step. An online degree in developmental psychology provides you with a deep understanding of the different stages of human development and equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to study and support individuals at different ages and stages of life.

Choosing the Right Online Developmental Psychology Degree

Most developmental psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology, although some may work in entry-level to mid-level positions with only a master’s degree. A bachelor’s is a prerequisite to pursuing either of these graduate degrees.

Whatever online program you apply to, it’s important to make sure your degree program is properly accredited. Some of the more established psychology degree accrediting bodies are The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and the American Psychology Association.

Bachelor’s Degree

Not many schools offer an online bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology specifically, but several bachelor’s programs can provide a strong foundation for further specialized graduate studies. Consider majoring in psychology, counseling, early childhood education, or something similar if you eventually want to go into developmental psychology.

Completing a bachelor’s degree typically takes four years. During the first two years, students will focus on completing general education requirements and taking introductory courses in their major. The latter half of the program, during the junior and senior years, will involve taking more advanced courses specifically within the major.

Master’s Degree

A master’s degree in psychology is the minimum academic requirement to become licensed to work with patients as a developmental psychologist. It’s required for licensure in every state.

Most online master’s programs in developmental psychology take one to two years to complete. They include both general psychology courses, as well as more specialized courses in developmental psychology. You may also take classes in related subjects, such as statistics or counseling.

Accredited master’s programs in developmental psychology include a clinical practicum, which is typically 600 hours of supervised clinical experience. Your practicum should be completed in a developmental psychology setting to best prepare you for work in this field.

Many individuals who earn a master’s in developmental psychology go on to pursue a doctorate degree, as job opportunities increase. You can work in lower- and mid-level developmental psychology positions with just a master’s, however.

Graduate Certificate

For individuals who have pursued a master’s degree in general psychology but desire a specialization in developmental psychology, a graduate certificate program may be a viable option. A graduate certificate is an excellent way for students who did not specialize in developmental psychology during their master’s program to acquire deeper knowledge in this area.

Online graduate certificate programs, which take six months to one year to complete, provide a concentrated study of subjects related to developmental psychology. They’re usually undertaken after the completion of a master’s degree.

Doctorate

Most developmental psychologists eventually earn a doctorate degree in the field, either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. Getting your doctorate in developmental psychology will open many more doors.

A Ph.D. program in developmental psychology is primarily focused on research and typically involves two years of coursework followed by two to four years of research. In contrast, a Psy.D. program is more clinically oriented and involves three years of coursework and practical training, culminating in a final paper that is shorter than the Ph.D. equivalent.

Either doctorate will focus on advanced developmental psychology classes. Should you skip a master’s, these degrees can also qualify you for licensure.

Which Developmental Psychology Degree is Right for Me?

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeGraduate CertificatePh.D. or PsyD
I am interested in gaining entry-level experience in developmental psychologyx
I want to get started in my developmental psychology career before I pursue more educationx
I want to pursue a non-patient-facing role in developmental psychologyxx
I want to pursue or switch to a niche developmental psychology specialtyxx
I already have a psychology degree and want to gain specialized knowledgexx
I want to conduct research in developmental psychologyxx
I want to become a licensed psychologist and treat patientsx
I want to work in academiax

Developmental Psychology Degree Program Curriculum

Developmental psychology degrees will cover general psychology topics and in-depth developmental psychology topics. Some examples of courses you might take include:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Around 120 credits. Courses can include Intro to Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Human Development.
  • Master’s Degree: Around 30-60 credits. Courses can include Personality Development and Socialization Across Lifespan, Neuroscience of Adversity, and Language Development.
  • Graduate Certificate: Around 12-20 credits. Courses can include Personality Development and Socialization Across Lifespan, Neuroscience of Adversity, and Language Development.
  • Doctorate: Around 80-120 credits. Courses can include Applied Regression Analysis, Psychology of Memory, Neuroscience, Ethics, and the Law.

Developmental Psychology Degree Program Clinical Requirements

A critical component of any program in developmental psychology is the hands-on experience provided by the clinical practicum. This gives students the chance to put their skills into practice in a supervised setting and work directly with clients.

Typically, accredited online master’s programs in developmental psychology require a minimum of 600 hours of clinical experience, while Psy.D. programs in the field mandate a minimum of 1,500 hours. 

Because you’ll be enrolled in an online program, personal networks, and job postings may also be useful for locating clinical opportunities.

List of Developmental Psychology Degree Programs

Looking for an online or campus-based developmental psychology degree program near you? Browse our state-by-state school listings below.

Jump to Your State Listings

Alabama

739 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0100
(205) 348-6010

PhD Programs
Administration Bldg Suite 1070
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011

Arizona


Tempe, AZ
(855) 278-5080

California

150 E Tenth St
Claremont, CA 91711-6160
(909) 621-8000

Associate Programs
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA 91401-4096
(818) 947-2600

9500 Gilman Dr
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-2230

1156 High St
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011
(831) 459-0111

Colorado

2199 S. University Blvd
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2000

Connecticut

83 Windham St
Willimantic, CT 06226
(860) 465-5000

800 Country Club Rd
Waterbury, CT 06723
(800) 345-2562

352 Mansfield Road
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-2000

Florida

777 Glades Rd, Administration Bldg., Room 339
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
(561) 297-3000

11200 S. W. 8 Street
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-2000

222 S. Copeland Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1037
(850) 644-2525

3301 College Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(954) 262-7300

33701 State Road 52
Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665
(352) 588-8200

1000 Longfellow Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33801-6034
(863) 667-5000

Georgia

201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-6123

1000 University Center Lane
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(678) 407-5000

33 gilmer st
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
(404) 413-2000

Administration Building
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000

Hawaii

2500 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
(808) 956-8111

Illinois

North and School Streets
Normal, IL 61790-1000
(309) 438-2111

One University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
(217) 206-6600

601 E John Street
Champaign, IL 61820-5711
(217) 333-1000

Indiana

107 South Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
(812) 855-4848

400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-5000

Kansas

Bachelor's Programs
1701 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-7000

Kentucky

South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506-0032
(859) 257-9000

Maryland

PhD Programs

College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-1000

Massachusetts

Master's Programs
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 565-1000

140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-8000

One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-2000

950 Main St
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
(508) 793-7711

PhD Programs
Massachusetts Hall
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-1000

1 University Ave
Lowell, MA 01854-5104
(978) 934-4000

Bachelor's Programs
486 Chandler St
Worcester, MA 01602-2597
(508) 929-8000

Michigan

42 W. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424

Minnesota

Bachelor's ProgramsPhD Programs
100 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213
(612) 625-5000

Missouri

Certificate Programs
3950 E. Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(866) 818-6778

Master's Programs
One Brookings Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314) 935-5000

Montana

Missoula, Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-0211

Nebraska

6001 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68182-0225
(402) 554-2800

1400 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0419
(402) 472-7211

New Jersey

2000 Pennington Road
Ewing, NJ 08628-7718
(609) 771-1855

New Mexico

PhD Programs
1700 Lomas Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 277-0111

New York

PhD Programs
365 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 817-7000

Master's ProgramsPhD Programs
West 116 St and Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1754

441 E Fordham Rd
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-1000

246 Greene Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-5555

70 Washington Sq South
New York, NY 10012-1091
(212) 998-1212

North Carolina

PhD Programs
1400 Spring Garden St
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5000

Ohio

PhD Programs
220 McFall Ctr
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(418) 372-5526

190 N. Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-6446

302 Buchtel Common
Akron, OH 44325-4702
(330) 972-7111

300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469
(937) 229-1000

Oklahoma

107 Whitehurst
Stillwater, OK 74078-1015
(405) 744-5000

Oregon

724 SW Harrison
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 725-3000

Pennsylvania

1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057-1383
(724) 738-9000

PhD Programs
1801 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096
(215) 204-7000

PhD Programs
201 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802-1503
(814) 865-4700

Tennessee

PhD Programs
2101 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37240
(615) 322-7311

Texas

1333 W. Washington
Stephenville, TX 76401-0000
(254) 968-9000

Certificate Programs
JKW Administration Building, Suite 200
College Station, TX 77843-1248
(979) 845-3211

Bachelor's ProgramsMaster's Programs
2800 S University Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76129
(817) 257-7000

Master's Programs
304 Administration Dr
Denton, TX 76204
(940) 898-2000

PhD Programs
110 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-3434

800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
(972) 883-2111

1501 W.Chestnut Ave.
Denton, TX 76203-1277
(940) 565-2000

Utah

PhD Programs
201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
(801) 581-7200

Vermont

85 S Prospect St
Burlington, VT 05405-0160
(802) 656-3131

Virginia

Master's Programs
4400 University Dr
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
(703) 993-1000

PhD Programs
1827 University Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628
(434) 924-0311

PhD Programs
910 W Franklin St
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
(804) 828-0100

210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
(540) 231-6994

Washington

Bachelor's Programs
526 5th Street
Cheney, WA 99004-2496
(509) 359-6200

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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