If you want to make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents, then consider an online Master of Science in Psychology (MS) with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology with Southern New Hampshire University. Focus on the study of research methods, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality, learning theory, ethical practice, and more.

You'll learn how people grow and adapt at different stages of life while helping them reach their full potential. In the master's in child psychology online program, you'll develop assessment, evaluation, and treatment strategies that address the unique individual, cultural and psychological needs of children and families. Hone your research methods and learn about developmental psychology and intervention strategies in-depth, specifically as they relate to children and adolescents.

Learn how to:

- Support the psychological well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations

- Advocate for psychology's role and responsibility in promoting agency for all

- Critically evaluate information and determine potential courses of action

- Design, conduct and evaluate research

- Advance knowledge in psychology and the psychological well-being of people

- Integrate psychological theories, methods, and research

- Incorporate empathy and an appreciation for collaboration and diversity of perspectives

- Protect the integrity and professional responsibility of psychology

- Demonstrate ethical practice in all aspects of the profession of psychology

While the child psychology master's program does not lead to state licensure, the degree program can prepare you for a rich and rewarding career working with children and adolescents, as well as prepare you to pursue doctoral studies. In this master's program, you'll learn to apply psychology research and theories to real-world contexts. Courses are taught by instructors with professional credentials and industry experience.

"Psychology's status as a science is grounded in the use of the scientific method," said Dr. Nickolas Dominello, associate dean of social sciences at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "Psychologists base their professional practice in knowledge that is obtained through verifiable evidence of human behavior and mental process."

The curriculum for the master's in child psychology at SNHU was designed with this in mind. The degree program consists of 36 credits total, with 24 major credits in general psychology and 12 credits that focus specifically on child and developmental psychology. All students must have a bachelor's degree that includes coursework in the introduction to psychology, social science statistics, and research methods in social science. Students without this coursework are still eligible for the child psychology master's program but may have to complete comparable foundational coursework prior to beginning major coursework. Throughout all courses, you'll deepen your understanding of crucial areas of psychology including cognitive psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuropsychology.

Major courses may include:

- Research Methods in Psychology. Learn how to gather and analyze data to plan and conduct research in real-world applications.

- Social Psychology. Examine contemporary and classic theories on how people interact with their environment, technology, and society as a whole, and how that affects their behavior.

- Theories of Personality. Explore the theories and approaches that pertain to personality and its many variations throughout disparate populations.

- Ethical Practice in Psychology. Study moral principles within the field of psychology and where you may learn to apply expected professional standards of conduct.

In addition to these areas, you'll also sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while applying theory to practical applications. All coursework integrates how mental processes such as memory, language, attention, learning, and decision-making inform the practice of psychology. In addition to these areas, you'll also sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while applying theory to practical applications. All coursework integrates how mental processes such as memory, language, attention, learning, and decision-making inform the practice of psychology.

"Developmental psychologists study how people grow and adapt physically and psychologically . . . and conduct research to understand and support people to reach their full potential, "said Dr. Jay Greiner, adjunct instructor of psychology at SNHU.

To build on this foundation in general psychology, you can then add key coursework to prepare you for a career working with children and adolescents. Child and developmental psychology concentration courses include:

- Developmental Psychology. Dive into a variety of theoretical perspectives leading to an understanding of contemporary topics central to childhood and adolescent development.

- Cognitive Neuropsychology. Examine the neuropsychological approach to examining the connection between the brain and cognitive processes. By studying dysfunctions from birth to adolescence, you'll learn techniques used to study the brain and behavior.

- Intervention Strategies. Cover the major intervention strategies in child and adolescent development. Contemporary and traditional strategies in the field may be examined. Students may also practice applying these strategies to real-world scenarios.

- Child and Developmental Psychology Seminar. Integrate all skills and knowledge gained throughout the program to demonstrate your proficiency in developmental psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, and intervention strategies.

Across all courses in the program, you'll hone key transferable skills that can position you to apply these skills in the study of psychology across the profession. Such skills include written and oral communication, statistics, and research methods. The master's in child development online culminates in a capstone course for all students. This course is designed to allow you to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills you've gained in the study of child and developmental psychology. Rather than introduce new concepts, the aim of this course is to support student success in readying you to apply the scientific method and use observation, experimentation, and analysis throughout your career.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

- Completed Application

- Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a Transcript Request Form Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.

The online master in a psychology degree program requires individuals to have earned an undergraduate psychology degree online, or on campus, or a bachelor's degree in another discipline and have completed undergraduate coursework in the following 3 areas:

- Introduction to psychology

- Social science statistics

- Research methods in a social science

For those who do not meet the minimum requirements, one or more of the following courses may be required:

- PSY-500: Foundations of Psychology

- SCS-501: Foundations in Statistics

- SCS-502: Foundations in Research Methods

This program does not prepare you for state licensure.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)