An online doctoral degree in child development psychology may equip individuals with the skills needed to understand the mental processes and development of children. In this three to five-year program, students may learn how to identify and diagnose mental, behavioral, and emotional issues in children. Program coursework may include research-heavy dissertation preparation coursework alongside major courses including advanced child assessment, social psychology, and human development.

Upon graduation from an online doctoral degree in child development psychology, students may seek employment in their chosen specialty. Doctoral-level graduates may seek employment in healthcare, counseling, or they may choose to purse a private practice.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree at minimum
• Program Length: Three to five years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment
• Projected Employment Growth: 22% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum for doctoral-level child development psychology degree programs may include a combination of dissertation research courses and major coursework. These courses may teach students the fundamentals of human development, how to apply ethics to a professional setting, and how to examine the social aspect of human behavior. Core online child development psychology classes may include the following:

• History and Systems of Psychology
• Human Development and Functioning
• Social Psychology
• Biopsychology
• Theories of Personality
• Advanced Child Assessment
• The Measurement of Intelligence

Career Options

Doctoral-level graduates may gain employment in counseling centers, hospitals, educational settings, juvenile detention centers, or they may choose to go into private practice. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, employment opportunities in developmental psychology are projected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Child Psychologist
• University Professor
• Clinical Psychologist
• Educational Diagnostician
• Developmental Psychologist

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook