Online Developmental Psychology Degrees and Programs

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 Degree | Master’s Degree | Graduate Certificate | Ph.D. or PsyD | |
I am interested in gaining entry-level experience in developmental psychology | x | |||
I want to get started in my developmental psychology career before I pursue more education | x | |||
I want to pursue a non-patient-facing role in developmental psychology | x | x | ||
I want to pursue or switch to a niche developmental psychology specialty | x | x | ||
I already have a psychology degree and want to gain specialized knowledge | x | x | ||
I want to conduct research in developmental psychology | x | x | ||
I want to become a licensed psychologist and treat patients | x | |||
I want to work in academia | x |
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
The University of Alabama
- PhD Developmental Psychology Campus
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0100
(205) 348-6010
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- PhD Developmental Psychology Campus
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011
Arizona
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
(855) 278-5080
California
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, CA 91711-6160
(909) 621-8000
Los Angeles Valley College
- AA Developmental Psychology Campus
Valley Glen, CA 91401-4096
(818) 947-2600
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-2230
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011
(831) 459-0111
Colorado
University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2000
Connecticut
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT 06226
(860) 465-5000
Post University
Waterbury, CT 06723
(800) 345-2562
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-2000
Florida
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
(561) 297-3000
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-2000
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1037
(850) 644-2525
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(954) 262-7300
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665
(352) 588-8200
Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL 33801-6034
(863) 667-5000
Georgia
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-6123
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(678) 407-5000
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
(404) 413-2000
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000
Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
(808) 956-8111
Illinois
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-1000
(309) 438-2111
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
(217) 206-6600
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL 61820-5711
(217) 333-1000
Indiana
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
(812) 855-4848
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-5000
Kansas
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-7000
Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0032
(859) 257-9000
Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park
- Developmental Psychology Campus
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-1000
Massachusetts
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 565-1000
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-8000
Boston University
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-2000
Clark University
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
(508) 793-7711
Harvard University
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-1000
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA 01854-5104
(978) 934-4000
Worcester State University
- Psychology Major Campus
Worcester, MA 01602-2597
(508) 929-8000
Michigan
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424
Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213
(612) 625-5000
Missouri
Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(866) 818-6778
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314) 935-5000
Montana
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-0211
Nebraska
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE 68182-0225
(402) 554-2800
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-0419
(402) 472-7211
New Jersey
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ 08628-7718
(609) 771-1855
New Mexico
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
- Evolution & Development Campus
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 277-0111
New York
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
- Developmental Psychology Campus
New York, NY 10016
(212) 817-7000
Columbia University in the City of New York
- Developmental Psychology Campus
- Developmental Psychology Campus
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-1754
Fordham University
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-1000
NYU Steinhardt
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-5555
New York University
New York, NY 10012-1091
(212) 998-1212
North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5000
Ohio
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(418) 372-5526
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-6446
University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH 44325-4702
(330) 972-7111
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH 45469
(937) 229-1000
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Stillwater, OK 74078-1015
(405) 744-5000
Oregon
Portland State University
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 725-3000
Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA 16057-1383
(724) 738-9000
Temple University
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096
(215) 204-7000
The Pennsylvania State University
- Developmental Psychology Campus
University Park, PA 16802-1503
(814) 865-4700
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-4141
Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
- Developmental Science Campus
Nashville, TN 37240
(615) 322-7311
Texas
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX 76401-0000
(254) 968-9000
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX 77843-1248
(979) 845-3211
Texas Christian University
- Child Development BA and BS Campus
- Developmental Trauma, MS Campus
Fort Worth, TX 76129
(817) 257-7000
Texas Woman's University
- Child Development Online
Denton, TX 76204
(940) 898-2000
The University of Texas at Austin
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 471-3434
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
(972) 883-2111
University of North Texas
Denton, TX 76203-1277
(940) 565-2000
Utah
University of Utah
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
(801) 581-7200
Vermont
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405-0160
(802) 656-3131
Virginia
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
(703) 993-1000
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
(800) 424-9595
University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628
(434) 924-0311
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Developmental Psychology Campus
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
(804) 828-0100
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
(540) 231-6994
Washington
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA 99004-2496
(509) 359-6200
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