Find Your Perfect School
One of the biggest problems that children and adults encounter is communication. Some children hesitate to speak up and express what they truly want to say for fear of being misunderstood and scolded. Because of this, many children feel rejected and, thus, isolate themselves to prevent arguments and confrontations.
Understanding children’s and teenagers’ behavior is crucial for parents and all the other adults they come into contact with. This includes knowing children’s and teens’ perceptions and feelings toward the world around them and how they think and provide reason for everything. Doing so will help adults address a child or teenager’s developmental needs. Moreover, it helps adults identify potential problems and solve them before they become more serious.
Understanding children’s and teenagers’ feelings and thoughts has never been easy. Fortunately, a specialized branch of developmental psychology is called child and adolescent psychology.
Child and adolescent Psychology is a specialty in professional psychology that applies scientific knowledge to delivering psychological services to newborns, toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers within their social context.
An online Child Psychology degree explores the basic psychological needs of young children and teenagers and how family and other factors influence their social-emotional adjustment, mental and behavioral disorders, developmental psychopathology, behavioral adaptation, health status, and developmental processes.
Quick Summarization
An online Bachelor’s in Child and adolescent Psychology teaches students about using psychological evaluations and various forms of therapy to understand and help children and teenagers better cope with everything in their lives, especially when dealing with mental health. This article comprehensively lists the best schools that offer an Adolescent and child Psychology degree online.
Methodology
When deciding on a school where one can pursue a degree of their choice, it’s important to have a checklist that will help students and parents ensure that they can make informed decisions. After all, their professional and personal goals are on the line here.
Check out the most crucial factors that will help narrow down choices of the best schools that offer an online Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology degree:
- The delivery format is fully online or partially web-based to provide adult online students more flexibility to customize their degrees to suit their busy schedules and other commitments,
- Rigorous coursework includes General Psychology, Biology, Child Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychobiology, and Abnormal Psychology courses that prepare students to work as child and adolescent psychologists, therapists, social workers, or researchers,
- Prepares Child & Adolescent Psychology majors for graduate students,
- Taught by professors who hold a Ph.D. in the field with years of professional experience,
- Features minimal tuition and offers federal aid and financial assistance for an affordable online bachelor’s degree program,
- It has a generous transfer credit policy to allow students with previous learning or work experience to use credits earned to reduce their total cost of tuition further,
- Maintains a full accreditation status, granted by nationally and internationally recognized accrediting bodies, such as the American Psychological Association (APA), to promote the highest academic standards and training.
For details, visit our Methodology page.
5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology
Touro University Worldwide
A nonprofit institution, Touro University Worldwide was established by philanthropic visionaries whose goal was to develop a connected and passionate community to help students achieve their academic goals. This Jewish-sponsored university offers students a network of on-ground and online campuses that are built to ensure graduates receive the best liberal arts education in a global-minded setting.
Touro University Worldwide offers online and on-campus academic opportunities and a roster of highly qualified academic faculty, cutting-edge technology, and outstanding administrative services. This ensures that all graduates of TUW are more qualified and equipped to enter the workforce upon completion of their respective degrees.
Those looking to learn about child and adolescent psychopathology should enroll at TUW and pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Concentration in Child & Adolescent Psychology. This online bachelor program teaches students about the concepts of development, special needs, and the impact and influences of society on children and teenagers.
This Child Psychology bachelor’s degree concentration at TUW will provide learners with the necessary skills to be able to pursue a wide range of careers that involve working with young children and teens in various settings, including legal, medical, and mental health facilities or organizations, or go on to earn graduate level courses in counseling, psychology, and social work.
At TUW, students are guaranteed a fully online degree program at eight weeks session. There is also no residency required for all students. On top of that, this university accepts up to 90 semester credits earned previously from an accredited college.
Course Requirements for TUW’s BA in Psychology – Concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Impact of Society on Child and Adolescents
- Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Psychology of Special Needs in Children and Adolescents
- Principles of Psychology
American Women’s College of Bay Path University
The American Women’s College of Bay Path University aims to empower women to have better careers, brighter futures, and more successful lives. It believes there must be more opportunities for those who could benefit most from learning opportunities that can transform lives. Because of this, it is offering over 40 online career-focused degree and certificate programs on accelerated schedules.
Bay Path University guarantees that industry leaders teach its online degree programs and that students can network with other women leaders and participate in a leadership series called We Empower Learners and Leaders. Students can also rest assured that they can complete their chosen degrees with the education and control to shape their envisioned future and the confidence to advance in their careers.
Bay Path University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Major in Child Psychology degree teaches students to impact the lives of children, adolescents, and their families. This program will prepare students to identify and address young children’s mental health and developmental needs. They can also access courses based on their schedules through virtual and interactive classrooms. And they will have one-on-one instruction from their professors.
Through this online program, students can explore all aspects of child development and develop the skills needed to help children of all ages. After graduation, they will be more than prepared to go on and take on important roles that can help make a difference in children’s and adolescents’ lives. Aside from that, they will have the academic credentials to pursue a master’s and doctoral degree.
Child Psychology courses at Bay Path University:
- Psychology of Cultural Diversity
- Psychopathology
- Childhood Psychopathology
- Theories of Personality
- Parenting
University of Massachusetts Global
The University of Massachusetts Global started in 1958 when professors from Chapman College delivered on-base classes to military members serving at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro in Orange County, California, for the first time. Since then, numerous military members and civilians alike have benefited from classes provided at various locations in California and other states.
In 2001, those facilities were recognized as Chapman University College, leading to its incorporation as a new university in 2008. The university then took on a new name a year later and was called Brandman University.
Fast-forward to May 2021, Brandman University partnered with the University of Massachusetts. Then, in September 2021, it became the University of Massachusetts Global, a University of Massachusetts system nonprofit affiliate.
UMass Global offers the web-based Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Child Psychology concentration for those interested and working with children of all ages, especially those with developmental challenges.
This program studies the learning and current treatment options for kids with autism or other disabilities. It addresses child development from behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, psychoanalytic, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives. Moreover, it provides students with applied courses on improving child learning and development.
Through this program, learners will learn to use a historical perspective to examine the psychological principles of human behavior. They will learn to understand statistical techniques and methodologies that apply to behavioral science research. They will also know how to assess and apply the major theories about a child’s lifespan.
Core Requirements for UMass Global’s BA in Psychology – Child Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Preferred Behavior Enhancement
- Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Child Development
- Pediatric Neuropsychology
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is one of the 12 public universities in Florida, the number one state for higher education in the US. UNF is an urban research and comprehensive institution home to almost 17,000 students.
UNF has six colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business, College of Education and Human Services, College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction, and Hicks Honors College.
UNF was first chartered in 1965 and opened its doors to around 2,000 upper-level students in the fall of 1972. It quickly expanded and was accredited by the SACSCOC in 1974. The University of North Florida has been an emerging force in coastal sciences, health, logistics, and more research for many years. Today, it offers 64 bachelor’s degrees with 80 concentration tracks, 45 master’s degrees with 88, and six doctoral degrees with three concentration tracks.
Students who enroll in UNF’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Child Psychology degree will gain knowledge in child psychology and hands-on experiences through practicum and research opportunities. Students must complete 120 credit hours with 48 upper-level (3000/4000) hours to complete this degree.
Major Requirements for UNF’s BS in Psychology – Child Psychology
- Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
- Comparative Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Sensory Perception
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University is an accredited institution that began in 2006 and is consistently recognized as one of the top online colleges in the U.S. It offers on-campus programs and over 100 online options in a wide range of areas of study that are designed for adult learners who work full-time or have other commitments.
EKU offers online programs from the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, College of Business, College of Education & Applied Human Sciences, College of Health Sciences, College of Justice, Safety & Military Science, and College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.
This university was recognized as one of the best colleges for veterans in 2021 and the most innovative online college. It is a Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-approved schools that award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist’s, and doctoral degrees.
EKU offers the online Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This degree provides students with a robust academic foundation that opens doors to various career opportunities and develops their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This program also prepares students for entry-level positions or graduate studies.
By choosing a Concentration in Child and Family Psychology, students will have a deeper understanding of biological, cognitive, historical, psychological, and social influences on child, teen, and adult development. They can use critical reading skills to analyze and apply findings from psychology research articles. They will know how to recall and explain empirically generated psychological content and professionally demonstrate relevant skills in psychology.
EKU’s BS in Psychology – Concentration in Child and Family Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Literacy in Psychology
- Psychological Psychology
- Sensation and Perception
- Infant and Child Development
Why Is Child and Adolescent Psychology Important?
Child and adolescent psychology is the study, evaluation, and treatment of various interrelated biological, psychological, and social issues experienced by young children and teens. These include:
- Behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and emotional issues
- Cognitive deficits
- Loss and trauma
- Health-related problems
- Biological vulnerabilities
- Problems in social context
- Stress and coping related to developmental changes
Child and adolescent psychology uses many skills and processes when working with young children and teens. These include:
- Consulting with other health providers and professionals who work with children.
- Assessing children’s and teens’ behavioral, cognitive, intellectual, and psychological issues with evaluation and testing.
- For example, develop prevention programs for addiction, bullying, and teen pregnancy.
- Using interventions, such as behavior management and psychotherapy.
This branch of psychology is often used to care for kids with medical problems, such as chronic pain or illness. It also uses various therapy techniques, depending on the child’s age and situation, to treat behavioral, emotional, and mental conditions. These include art, behavioral, child-centered play, child-parent relationships, child anger management, child trauma, cognitive behavior, dialectical behavior, group or family, occupational, parent-child interaction, and emotionally focused therapies.
Children and adolescents suffering from a condition that affects their learning and social interactions, such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), would greatly benefit from child and adolescent psychology. If they or their parents are having difficulty managing their behavioral or emotional problems, it would be best to seek professional help, too.
Other conditions and situations that would immensely benefit from child and adolescent psychology include:
- All kinds of child maltreatment, including emotional, sexual, and physical abuse or child neglect
- Anger management problems
- Chronic health conditions
- Difficulty coping with divorce and other family issues
- Communication disorders or developmental and learning differences, such as intellectual disability, ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortcut to becoming a child and adolescent psychologist?
There is no shortcut to becoming a child psychologist! Aside from completing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field first, those who aspire to become a child and adolescent psychologist must complete a certain number of hours of internship to gain on-the-job experience.
Next, they must earn a master’s degree to specialize in an area of study, which takes one to three years. Then, to be a licensed psychologist, they will need to pursue a doctoral degree—a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—which takes two to three years of coursework and another two to four years of dissertation.
A student may enroll in a college or university’s accelerated program to earn credits for a master’s degree while still finishing their bachelor’s degree to reduce the number of years they need to complete to earn both degrees.
What are the most popular career options for Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology majors?
According to the US Labor Statistics Bureau, a child and adolescent psychologist can earn a median average annual pay of $81,040.
However, those who completed their online bachelor’s degree programs and do not wish to pursue graduate studies right after graduation can go on to work in entry-level positions. Here are some of them:
Behavioral Therapists – $65,181
They specialize in diagnosing and treating behavioral mental health problems, working with patients of all ages to help them overcome anxiety, addictions, phobias, and other destructive coping mechanisms, including self-harm.
School Guidance Counselors – $56,229
They work as part of a school’s faculty, helping students achieve their academic goals. They also help those who want to express concerns regarding their academic and social lives, providing them with the right resources to address such problems.
Social Workers – $71,339
These individuals advocate for children and their families who need assistance or intervention. They assess living conditions, hold regular meetings with children and their families, communicate with teachers and school administrations, and connect people to resources to improve their situations.
School Psychologists – $129,274
School psychologists are faculty members responsible for developing specialized treatments for students with behavioral, learning, and mental problems. They must correspond with guidance counselors, parents, and teachers to evaluate and gather the resources to support and encourage students to succeed academically and socially.
How to Become a Child and Adolescent Psychologist
The first step for those wanting to become child and adolescent psychologists is to earn a psychology degree and then pursue graduate studies. Graduates must also pass licensure examinations that will test their skills and ensure they meet the requirements for continuing education.
Once they have earned a graduate degree, graduates must apply for licensure, as required by the ABCCAP or American Board of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. To become a licensed child psychologist, they should also pass the EPPP or Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.
Key Points to Ponder
- An undergraduate Child & Adolescent Psychology degree online prepares learners to work closely with children and adolescents and provide the appropriate solutions for behavioral, cognitive, emotional, physical, and social concerns.
- Adolescent and child Psychology courses online equip students for entry-level jobs in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and elementary and secondary schools.
- A Bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Psychology degree can prepare students for master’s and doctoral programs. Online education graduate programs produce profession-ready Child Psychology students who are eligible for the required licensure exams for practice.
Additional Information: