Child psychology is an important field of psychology. It dives into what influences children's minds and their overall development.
Many schools in the United States offer graduate programs in child or developmental psychology. Keep reading for the top ranking child psychology graduate schools in the country.
Top Ranking Child Psychology Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Several schools across the United States offer child psychology, sometimes called developmental psychology, programs.
We've listed our top picks below in alphabetical order.
1. University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public research university in Storrs, Connecticut. Its Department of Psychological Sciences offers a PhD concentration in developmental psychology.
This program focuses on the emergence and organization of behavior during development. It emphasizes the core areas of developmental psychology, as well as research methods and statistics.
Some of the core courses in this program include:
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- Infancy & the Effects of Early Experience
- Language Modality, Neural Plasticity, and Development
- Social & Personality Development
In addition to coursework and research, students will propose, develop, and defend a doctoral dissertation in the developmental psychological sciences.
2. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public research university in Urbana and Champaign, Illinois. It's the flagship university of the University of Illinois system.
The university offers a PhD in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychopathology.
It includes core courses like:
- Cognitive Development
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
- Development and Psychopathology
- Developmental Psycholinguistics
Students in the program must also fulfill research and student teaching requirements. Most students complete the program in four or five years, finishing with the defense of their dissertation.
3. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its psychology department offers a PhD in developmental psychology.
This program prepares students to become skilled, creative developmental psychologists. It takes, on average, five years of study.
Core courses in this program include:
- Development in Adolescence
- Development in Infancy
- Emotional Development
- The Development of Language and Communication Skills
The program also includes interdisciplinary research and cross-cultural studies. Students must complete teaching requirements and a doctoral dissertation.
4. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a public research university with its main campus spread between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Through its Institute of Child Development, students can earn a PhD in developmental psychology. On average, students take three to six years to earn their degree.
Two specializations are available: developmental science and developmental psychopathology and clinical science.
Both include core courses such as:
- Developmental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
- Developmental Psychology: Social and Emotional Processes
- Developmental Research Methods
- Research Problems in Child Psychology
Students in the program must also participate in research activities, teaching experience, and a doctoral dissertation.
Additionally, a 12-credit doctoral minor in developmental psychology is available for students earning their doctorate in a related field.
5. University of Washington
The University of Washington is a public university in Seattle, Washington. Its Department of Psychology offers degrees in child psychology.
Students can earn a Master of Arts in applied child and adolescent psychology with a concentration in prevention and treatment.
This program gives students the skills they need to provide mental health services to children and teens.
It includes practicum and courses such as:
- Child & Adolescent Psychopathology: Assessment & Diagnosis
- Ethics & Law in Clinical Settings: Children, Adolescents & Families
- Evidence-Based Practices in Counseling Settings: Parenting Interventions
- Multicultural Issues in Counseling Settings: Children, Adolescents & Families
Students can also earn a PhD in psychology with a focus in clinical child psychology. This is typically a six- or seven-year program that includes coursework, research, and supervised clinical training.
6. Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. It offers a PhD in psychological sciences with a focus in developmental sciences.
The goal of this program is to understand how learning and development are supported throughout infancy and childhood.
The program studies environmental factors and internal processes that influence child development and uses experimental methods to identify change at the behavioral and neural levels.
Students usually finish their program in about five years, concluding with a defense of their doctoral dissertation.
FAQs About Top Ranking Child Psychology Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about child psychology graduate schools in the United States.
How Long Are Child Psychology Graduate Programs?
The length of a child psychology graduate program depends on if you're earning a master's degree, Doctor of Psychology degree, or a PhD.
Typically, master's degrees take around two years, while doctoral degrees take several years, usually three or more.
Can I Take a Child Psychology Graduate Program Online?
While you may be able to take some courses in your program online, child psychology programs typically include in-person internships or research projects.
What Can I Do with a Graduate Degree in Child Psychology?
Those with degrees in child psychology often work as child psychologists, counselors, or case managers. Those with PhDs may work in more academic fields, like teaching or research.
Find Top Ranking Child Psychology Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Students can earn a graduate degree in child psychology through a few excellent schools in the United States. Check out the top programs above to find the right one for you today.
