Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology, MS

Description of Program

This 30 credit Master of Science (MS) program in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology enables students to pursue advanced study in child and adolescent developmental psychology that can lead to careers in the helping professions, industry, government, and for profit and nonprofit organizations for which clinical training is not necessary. The child and adolescent developmental psychology master’s degree program also provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for doctoral-level study.

This educational program offers students, at the culmination of the degree, the choice between a Capstone project or a non-clinical internship. During the internship, students complete approximately 100 hours of working in the field. The internship allows students to demonstrate a wide range of professional competencies and communication skills that reflect the knowledge, critical thinking, sensitivity to ethics and diversity, and appreciation of research that has been acquired throughout the program.

Click here for potential career opportunities within the Masters of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

• Synthesize theories and principles applicable to the field of child and adolescent developmental psychology through written communication
• Appraise research methods and data analysis applicable in the framework of child and adolescent developmental psychology
• Investigate empirically supported interventions for research, administration or practice of child and adolescent developmental psychology
• Employ ethical principles of psychology in academic and professional matters of child and adolescent developmental psychology
• Examine diversity issues in the context of child and adolescent developmental psychology

Basis for Admissions

Admission to a master’s program requires a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution or an international institution that is determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology requires a total of 30 credits for completion.

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credits in transfer toward the Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology for graduate course work completed at an accredited college or university with a grade average of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit policy  for additional information.

• PSY-5703  must be completed at the University

Graduation requirements for the Master’s Degree in Psychology vary according to specialization selected.

All master’s degree programs have the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through the University
• Completion of subject area competency requirements for the graduate program
• Elective courses must be relevant to the department’s graduate program
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma

Time to Completion

The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.

The median time to completion for this program is 18 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance counselors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 16 months.

Course Sequence

The Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology program can be completed in 30 credits.

All Master of Science programs require the foundation course to be completed prior to enrolling in specialization courses. If students choose the capstone stone, this course will be completed as the last course in the degree program. 

• PSY-5701 - Foundations of Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology
• PSY-5702 - Pre-Natal and Early Childhood Development
• PSY-5703 - Child and Adolescent Development
• PSY-6704 - Gender Development in Children and Adolescents
• PSY-5107 - Research Design
• PSY-6705 - Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
• PSY-5706 - Ethics in Development Psychology
• PSY-5110 - Applied Statistics
• PSY-6708 - ADHD and Autistic Spectrum
• PSY-6709 - Capstone in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology - OR - PSY-6710 - Internship in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology * 

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  Note: *An additional course fee will be charged for PSY-6710. Please see the Tuition & Fees section  for fee information.