How to Become a Child Psychologist

As guardians of the mental and behavioral health of the next generation, child psychologists shoulder a heavy burden: They must provide therapeutic intervention and meaningful counsel to children and adolescents.

As experts in child development, they focus on the aftermath of neglect, bullying, and abuse, as well as parental divorce; loss of loved ones; and emotional or behavioral issues, such as low self-esteem and impulsive behavior, to help their patients’ live happier, healthier lives. The job requires dedication, education, and training, as well as the temperament to help children navigate the difficulties of mental health.

A rewarding career as a child psychologist begins with the right education, and with the ease of online learning, you can find a program that’s both flexible and fulfilling.

Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University : MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University : BS in Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University : MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)

Walden University : MS in Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University : PhD in Clinical Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University : Master of Social Work (MSW) (CSWE Accredited)

Walden University : PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, General (HLC Accredited)

How Long Does It Take to Become a Child Psychologist?

Aspiring child psychologists must undergo education and training for nearly a decade before they can attain licensure and certification in the profession. How long it takes to become a child psychologist often depends on the length of the education, which traditionally comes in the form of a four-year bachelor’s degree, usually in psychology, social work, or a related program, before a two-year master’s degree in child and developmental psychology or a related field, although part-time students often take longer.

After completing a master’s degree, students undertake a doctoral program, either a Ph.D. in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). The primary difference between the two is that the Ph.D. dedicates more time to research and academics, while the Psy.D. is more focused on hands-on clinical practice.

School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
Walden University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More
Walden University MS in School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More
Walden University MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online	Learn how to support the well-being of your students as they cope with complex personal and family challenges. Explore human sexual development as well as the relationships and family dynamics impacting young people’s lives today. Build the cross-cultural competencies and skills required to understand family structures, life-cycle dynamics, intergenerational influences, and healthy family functioning. The optional accelerated track is designed for students who are interested in taking three courses per quarter and potentially finishing their program in a shorter time frame. The accelerated track has the same curriculum, residencies, and field experience requirements as the general track, but requires a strong time commitment and is best suited for students who can dedicate themselves full time to their studies. Learn More
Walden University BS in Psychology HLC Accredited	✔ Online	Prepare to transform lives with a BS in Psychology from Walden University. Our program introduces you to a wide range of theories, approaches, and perspectives within the field while providing you with insight into issues affecting diverse individuals and social groups. Learn More
Walden University MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE scores not required	The counseling field is in need of qualified, compassionate professionals like you to meet the demand for services. In Walden's clinical mental health counseling and school counseling dual degree program, you’ll gain the insights and hands-on training to positively impact the lives of children, adults, and families. Learn More
Walden University MS in Psychology HLC Accredited	✔ Online	Benefit from this specialization’s comprehensive study of the social, cultural, and cognitive aspects of human behavior as you explore the fundamentals of psychology, including its theories, methods, and principles. You can evaluate and design research methods and examine multicultural and/or global perspectives of psychology. This specialization also offers an optional doctoral preparation track, for those who want a head start on their doctorate. If you choose Walden’s competency-based Tempo Learning® format, you’ll have access to three-month, all-you-can-learn subscriptions, no weekly deadlines, and faculty and coach support when needed. Learn More
Walden University PhD in Clinical Psychology HLC Accredited	✔ Online	Gain the skills to assess mental wellness and provide interventions. Taught by respected psychology faculty, coursework explores current theories and empirically supported practice. You can combine scholarly research with practical experience. Learn More
Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) CSWE Accredited	✔ Online	Walden’s CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program can empower you to shape a better, more equitable world. Our program combines a purposeful curriculum with immersive learning experiences to help you become the confident and highly capable social work practitioner you know you can be. Learn More
Walden University PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, General HLC Accredited	✔ Online	If you’re looking for a clear path to teaching in CACREP-accredited counseling degree programs, Walden’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program can help you take the next step. In our core path of study, you’ll acquire an advanced understanding of counseling theory and learn to evaluate theory and practice through qualitative and quantitative research. Build advanced individual and group counseling skills, teaching and supervision competencies, and research skills designed to help you reach your potential. Learn More

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Clinical Requirements

Qualifying for licensure as a child psychologist requires hands-on experience. This usually comes in the form of internship training, which exposes students to the day-to-day demands of the job and enables them to shadow active professionals, learning from them in a clinical setting. Internships provide valuable opportunities for students to work and develop skills with patients under a licensed psychologist’s direct supervision. The time commitment for supervised clinical experience varies between programs, ranging from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 hours per year.

Licensure and Certification

The American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (ABCCAP), part of the larger American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), conducts licensing examinations in child psychology. The process involves completing both a general online application and a specialty-specific application.

Licensure is offered to professionals under different criteria, depending on their state of employment. Common prerequisites include a doctoral degree in psychology, completion of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), completion of the jurisprudence examination, and a set number of hours of supervised experience in a doctoral program internship.

Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - BS in Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University - MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Walden University - MS in Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University - PhD in Clinical Psychology (HLC Accredited)

Walden University - Master of Social Work (MSW) (CSWE Accredited)

Walden University - PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, General (HLC Accredited)

Child Psychologist Skills

Child psychologists must be equipped with many soft and actionable skills to perform effective clinical treatment for their patients.

• Communication. Child psychologists must be able to communicate treatment plans to patients, set proper expectations for treatment, and actively listen to develop trusting relationships.
• Strategy. An important skill for all psychologists is the ability to articulate custom treatment plans based on the needs of individual patients. They must also know when to refer patients to other professionals or consult with physicians and other experts.
• Scientific skills. Child psychologists may be called upon to perform scientific studies of brain functions; research psychological, emotional, and other disorders; identify behavioral patterns;  write articles; and share research findings with peers.

Child Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t have separate statistics for child psychologists, but reports that psychologists in general made a median annual salary of $82,180 as of May 2020. The highest earners in the field made approximately $137,590. Additionally, the BLS provides industry-specific median annual incomes, with psychologists working for the government making a median of $100,360; hospitals, $90,640; ambulatory health care services, $85,970; and elementary/secondary schools, $77,560.

Positions for psychologists are expected to grow by 8% between 2020 and 2030, the same as the projected average for all occupations. Growth for the period is expected to be slightly higher at 10% for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists.

Counseling Degrees for Proactive Students

Mental health issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are increasingly affecting children and teens between the ages of 2 and 17. The CDC reports that 9.4% of youths in this age range have received an ADHD diagnosis, and 7.4% of those ages 3 to 7 have been diagnosed with depression. Child psychologists work to help these millions of children every day.

Counseling Degrees Online offers a directory of online undergraduate and postgraduate counseling programs to help you navigate becoming a child psychologist. Featuring more than 1,200 counseling programs, our guide is the most comprehensive guide to counseling education on the internet.

Customize your search by selecting programs by state, counseling type, area of study, and online availability, and begin your path to a career in child psychology.

Sources:
American Board of Professional Psychology, Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
Betterteam, Child Psychologist Job Description
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health
Houston Chronicle, “What Are the Qualifications, Skills or Aptitudes Needed for a Child Psychologist?”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychologists