by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Child Development and Psychology involves the study of child and adolescent behavior. Many of your classes will explore the impact of genetics and environmental influence on the growth and development of a person. Other subjects of study are the mechanisms and process of learning and thinking; this includes encoding, decoding, and processing information.
There are many concentrations in this major. Depending on what college you go to, you may have the opportunity to specialize in Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics; Comparative Psychology; Developmental and Child Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Personality Psychology; Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology; Social Psychology; Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology; or Psychopharmacology.
In 2021-2022, child development & psychology was the 57th most popular major nationwide with 19,646 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Child Development & Psychology Schools ranking analyzes 139 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for child development & psychology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of child development programs later in this article.
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills will be important in this major as you work with professors, peers, and patients. Practice active listening and empathy as you interview patients, observe behavior and write accurate reports and papers on your findings. Compassion and understanding is necessary as you encounter people from diverse backgrounds who could suffer from mental disorders. You will be relied on to be trustworthy, approachable and keep information in confidence.
A psychology major involves time spent in the lecture hall, as well as lab work and research. This requires mathematical and science skills. You will need to memorize theories and formulas and use them to solve real-life issues. Logic and analytical skills will help you evaluate data and complete research.
Many programs require students to work at an internship or do fieldwork through participating organizations. Take advantage of any opportunity for experience in the field. This will help you when applying to grad schools or future jobs.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most child development degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional child development certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different child development degree levels. Child Development & Psychology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest child development degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common child development degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to child development, with approximately 33.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to child development tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 19.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.9% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 7.0% |
About 60.4% of workers in careers related to child development obtain at least master's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in child development & psychology careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the child development career you are seeking.
Many graduates continue their education to achieve a Master's or Doctorate in psychology. This can lead to a career as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychology grads also work in schools, research, counseling, or clinical studies. Those interested in child psychology may be interested in becoming a school psychologist or family counselor.
Want a job when you graduate with your child development degree? Child Development & Psychology careers are expected to grow 9.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to child development & psychology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | 168,500 | 14.2% |
| Psychology Professors | 54,000 | 15.1% |
| Psychologists | 19,200 | 10.3% |
Recently graduated child development & psychology students earned an average of $34,506 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $20,182 to as high as $123,985. As you might expect, salaries for child development graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for child development & psychology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers child development grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Psychologists | $95,610 |
| Psychology Professors | $88,490 |
| Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists | $85,340 |
With over 717 different child development degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased child development school rankings to help you with this.
Child Development & Psychology is one of 24 different types of Psychology programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Research & Experimental Psychology | 11,427 |
| Experimental Psychology | 4,227 |
| Developmental & Child Psychology | 1,490 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 1,362 |
| Social Psychology | 689 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Psychology | 143,648 |
| Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology | 36,293 |
| Other Psychology | 2,728 |
