Best institutions to study Developmental and Child Psychology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the unique stages of psychological growth and development of individuals from infancy through childhood.
63 U.S. institutions graduated 1,771 Developmental and Child Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2703, a specialization of Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27), and leads most directly to the Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3033).
About Developmental and Child Psychology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the unique stages of psychological growth and development of individuals from infancy through childhood. Includes instruction in cognitive and perceptual development, emotional development, personality development, the effects of biological maturation on behavior, theories of cognitive growth and related research methods, testing and assessment methods for different age levels, research on child and adolescent behavior therapy, and the psychology of aging.
See also: 19.0706 - Child Development.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Developmental and Child Psychology program focuses on the scientific study of psychological growth and development from infancy through childhood. It is designed for students interested in understanding the cognitive, emotional, and personality development of children, as well as the effects of biological maturation on behavior. This program is ideal for those pursuing careers in psychology, counseling, or social work.
Students will gain knowledge in cognitive and perceptual development, emotional and personality growth, and various research methods. Coursework emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, equipping graduates to assess and support individuals at different developmental stages.
Credentials awarded
What Developmental and Child Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1,035 graduates / yr · 25 institutions58%
- Bachelor's degree465 graduates / yr · 26 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship145 graduates / yr · 24 institutions8.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate60 graduates / yr · 4 institutions3.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year39 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.2%
- Post-master's certificate18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Developmental and Child Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,021 |
| 2013 | 1,043 |
| 2014 | 1,134 |
| 2015 | 1,020 |
| 2016 | 1,026 |
| 2017 | 993 |
| 2018 | 994 |
| 2019 | 1,006 |
| 2020 | 1,277 |
| 2021 | 1,392 |
| 2022 | 1,460 |
| 2023 | 1,844 |
| 2024 | 1,719 |
| 2025 | 1,771 |
Top 50 institutions for Developmental and Child Psychology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 231 | 88% | $29,023 | $37,512 |
| 2 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 139 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 3 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 133 | 85% | — | $31,027 |
| 4 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 120 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 5 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 91 | 94% | $11,888 | $49,035 |
| 7 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 75 | 97% | $22,055 | $44,542 |
| 8 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 72 | 65% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 52 | 89% | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 76% | — | $35,982 |
| 11 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 48 | 32% | — | $39,955 |
| 12 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 48 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 13 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 47 | 60% | $29,994 | — |
| 14 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 46 | 0% | — | — |
| 15 | Northcentral University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 37 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 86% | — | $23,420 |
| 18 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 84% | — | — |
| 19 | Bay Path University Longmeadow, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 44% | $16,859 | $23,898 |
| 20 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
| 21 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 22 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 43% | — | $33,455 |
| 23 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 24 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 56% | $20,237 | $31,695 |
| 25 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 26 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia, ARPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 16 | 37% | — | — |
| 27 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicMaster's | 15 | 48% | — | — |
| 28 | Emmanuel College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 68% | $29,723 | $36,603 |
| 29 | Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 66% | $31,022 | $31,596 |
| 30 | Savannah State University Savannah, GAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 28% | — | $27,763 |
| 31 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 65% | — | — |
| 32 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 42% | — | — |
| 33 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicBachelor's | 8 | 44% | — | $36,600 |
| 34 | Maryville College Maryville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 50% | $20,489 | — |
| 35 | Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 62% | $21,132 | — |
| 36 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 96% | $15,315 | $53,156 |
| 37 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 83% | — | — |
| 38 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 6 | 88% | $26,912 | — |
| 39 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 62% | — | — |
| 40 | Morningside University Sioux City, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 50% | $22,816 | — |
| 41 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 70% | — | — |
| 42 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 70% | $25,578 | — |
| 43 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 44 | Suffolk University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 61% | $28,895 | — |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin - Parkside Kenosha, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 40% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 49% | — | — |
| 47 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 60% | $17,205 | — |
| 48 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 49 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 85% | $25,874 | $39,732 |
| 50 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 2 | 64% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Research and Experimental Psychology field (CIP 42.27) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 28 states
Where Developmental and Child Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Research and Experimental Psychology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3033, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 11.2% and approximately 4,800 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $95,830, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2703
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinical and Counseling Psychologistsprimary SOC 19-3033 | $100,580 | +11.2% Much faster than average | ~4,800 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers SOC 21-1021 | $59,550 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~35,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Developmental and Child Psychology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
Tools and technology used
Other Research and Experimental Psychology specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27).
- Research and Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.279914,082 graduates / yr152 institutions
- Experimental PsychologyCIP 42.27044,599 graduates / yr74 institutions
- Behavioral NeuroscienceCIP 42.27061,391 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Social PsychologyCIP 42.2707455 graduates / yr33 institutions
- Cognitive Psychology and PsycholinguisticsCIP 42.2701382 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Psychometrics and Quantitative PsychologyCIP 42.2708210 graduates / yr16 institutions
- PsychopharmacologyCIP 42.2709partial data74 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Personality PsychologyCIP 42.2705limited data23 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Comparative PsychologyCIP 42.2702limited data16 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Developmental and Adolescent Psychology42.2710
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Clinical Psychologist, Child Social Worker, or Psychology Teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 11.2%.
What is the CIP code for Developmental and Child Psychology?+
Developmental and Child Psychology is CIP 42.2703 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the unique stages of psychological growth and development of individuals from infancy through childhood. Includes instruction in cognitive and perceptual development, emotional development, personality development, the effects of biological maturation on behavior, theories of cognitive growth and related research methods, testing and assessment methods for different age levels, research on child and adolescent behavior therapy, and the psychology of aging.
How many institutions offer Developmental and Child Psychology programs?+
63 U.S. institutions reported Developmental and Child Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 28 states, awarding 1,771 credentials in the year. That is 7.7% of all Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.
How much do Developmental and Child Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clinical and Counseling Psychologists occupation, which Developmental and Child Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,580 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Research and Experimental Psychology field report median earnings of $36,600 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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