developmental psychology phd rankings

Best Developmental Psychology Programs

Ranked in 2022, part of Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

Developmental psychology students

Developmental psychology students observe the broad span of human development, from infancy to old age. Key concepts include the nature versus nurture debate and identity formation. These are the top psychology programs for developmental psychology. Read the methodology »

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College of Education and Human Development

Institute of Child Development

Developmental psychology PhD

For us, community is a key word. At the Institute of Child Development (ICD), you'll join a close-knit group of faculty, staff, and peers who are driven to make a difference and who will support you as you grow as an academic and researcher. For more than 90 years, our faculty and students have worked together to make discoveries that increase knowledge about human development and improve lives.

In our program, you'll not only study what you love, but also develop the skills needed to teach others and translate science into practical solutions for children, youth, and families.

The structure of our program reflects our community-based philosophy. We offer guaranteed full funding for five academic years and embrace an academic community mentorship model, which means that students apply to our department instead of to work with a particular faculty member. As an ICD student, you'll be free to explore different topics in the field of developmental psychology and to follow your research and academic interests, no matter where they lead you.

Find what drives you – join us!

• Study with award-winning faculty , who are leaders in the field of developmental psychology.
• Receive guaranteed financial support for five academic years.
• Choose to pursue either our developmental science or developmental psychopathology and clinical science track.
• Join a close-knit community of scholars who are dedicated to understanding and supporting how children learn and grow.
• Earn your PhD at a top public research university located in an urban center, offering diverse opportunities for interdisciplinary and community-based research.

developmental psychology program in the nation

Source: Ranked in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report

Developmental science track

Interested in conducting research or teaching in the field of developmental psychology? Look no further. In our developmental science track, you can explore your research interests and gain the classroom experience needed for a career in research or academia.

As a developmental science student, you'll study human development across the lifespan and build your expertise in an area of research. Conduct research on topics including cognitive development, language development, executive function, social-emotional development, or neuroscience. If your interests span across topics, choose a research focus that's unique to you and work in collaboration with multiple Institute of Child Development (ICD) faculty members.

Continue building your resume by taking electives or declaring a doctoral minor. You’ll also have the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research with experts from across the University of Minnesota (U of M), a top public research university.

The developmental science track takes five years to complete.

Our curriculum is structured to support you as you grow as an academic and researcher. You'll build your expertise, explore your interests, and acquire the skills needed to be a leader in higher education or research settings. The developmental science track takes five years to complete.

Take foundational courses in cognitive, social-emotional, and biological development processes, ethical conduct of research, and statistical methods. Begin conducting research and identifying your area of specialty. Work with faculty to learn how to craft competitive fellowship applications.

Take advanced developmental psychology courses and choose special topics courses that interest you. Continue to deepen your research interests and learn how to effectively disseminate research information by presenting your first-year research project to the ICD community.

Hone your teaching skills by developing and teaching your own section of Introduction to Child Development. Continue working with faculty members to define your research expertise and prepare your prelim and final dissertation defense.

Developmental psychopathology and clinical science track

Blend research and clinical practice. In our developmental psychopathology and clinical science track, you'll study psychopathology in the context of development, build a foundation in developmental research, and gain the skills necessary to become a licensed clinician. You'll take developmental psychology courses with your cohort at the Institute of Child Development (ICD), as well as clinical training courses in the Department of Psychology. In addition to coursework in developmental and clinical psychology, you'll complete clinical practicums and a year-long internship. You'll also receive APA-accredited clinical training through the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology .

The clinical science track takes six years to complete, including the internship.

Our curriculum is structured to support you as you grow as an academic, researcher, and clinician. You'll build your expertise, explore your interests, and complete courses and APA-accredited clinical training through the Department of Psychology .

Take advanced developmental psychology courses and begin taking clinical training courses. Continue to deepen your research interests and learn how to effectively disseminate research information by presenting your first-year research project to the ICD community.

Hone your teaching skills by developing and teaching your own section of Introduction to Child Development. Continue working with faculty members to define your research expertise and prepare your prelim and final dissertation defense. Begin completing clinical practicum hours to prepare you for your internship.

Complete your one-year, full-time APA-approved clinical internship.

We're driven to make a difference

Quote from alyssa palmer.

You have a community and many resources here to help you get started and guide you through the graduate school process. No one expects you to know everything, and no one does know everything, especially when starting out. Alyssa Palmer Developmental Psychopathology And Clinical Science Track Student Read more about Alyssa and her research Read more about Alyssa and her research

Upon graduation, you'll be prepared for careers in research, higher education, or clinical developmental psychology. The U of M Graduate School provides programs, resources, and events to help you with every step along the way—from identifying potential career paths, to developing skills to compete for them, to managing your career.

ICD alumni are leaders in the field of developmental psychology. As a graduate of ICD, you'll join a tight-knit network of scholars that will continue to support you, no matter what career path you choose.

Graduates of the developmental science track now work at organizations, including:

• Public and private research universities
• Liberal arts colleges
• The National Institutes of Health and other government agencies
• Non-profit organizations that address issues like social policy
• Education publishing and assessment corporations
• Public broadcasting networks

Graduates of the clinical science track have pursued careers at:

• Children’s hospitals
• Medical schools
• Outpatient clinics
• Stress and anxiety clinics
• Elementary schools
• Domestic violence prevention organizations

Quote from Brie Reid

I’ve loved my experience at ICD. I’ve been able to work with people and projects that prior to graduate school I would have never thought were possible, and it’s helped me to develop my research niche and ask research questions that are really meaningful to me. Brie Reid Developmental Science Track Graduate Read more about Brie and her research Read more about Brie and her research

How to apply

Admissions requirements and deadline, timeline: .

Deadline: December 1

We accept applications for our PhD in developmental psychology for a fall term start each year.

Our admissions committee evaluates applications holistically. Strong candidates have a combination of research and education in psychology or related subjects and show promise to become leading researchers in the field of developmental psychology. Each year, we aim to welcome 10 new students. 

For a snapshot of our previous admissions data, please visit The Graduate School’s program statistics webpage . You’re eligible to apply if you’ve completed:

• a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, earned before the fall start of the PhD program
• at least three courses in Psychology (Recommended: Developmental, Abnormal, and Research Methods)
• one course in statistics

After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email confirmation. Application review begins directly after the deadline and continues through mid-January. An admissions committee made up of faculty from ICD will review your application and pass along their recommendations to the entire faculty for a final decision. Students who are offered admission will receive an invitation to our Prospective Student Weekend, which takes place the last full weekend in February.

Test scores

GRE scores are not required for the PhD application. If submitted, they will not be considered.

Information for international students

For students whose first language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. The only exception is for non-native English speakers who completed the entirety of their undergraduate degree (four years) in an English-speaking country within the last five years. You’ll need to enter your self-reported TOEFL scores in the online application and send your official electronic TOEFL scores to the University of Minnesota (institution code 6874). View the U of M’s TOEFL score guidelines and expectations . Please note that the Institute of Child Development requires a TOEFL speak score of 27 or higher.

Tuition and funding

We guarantee full funding for each student for five academic years. Funding includes a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a full tuition waiver. Stipends vary based on the type of financial support each student receives. Types of financial support include graduate assistantships (RA/TA), fellowships, traineeships, or scholarships. We have a long track record of our students securing fellowships from prestigious agencies like the National Science Foundation. As an ICD student, we'll work with you to find funding opportunities throughout the PhD program.

As a student at ICD, you’ll receive a brand-new laptop (Dell or MacBook Air) at the start of the program that you may use during your PhD studies. You’ll receive $850 to use for professional development purposes during your time in the program. You'll also be eligible for $500 in travel funding annually to present at conferences.

Each year, the U of M Office for Diversity in Graduate Education awards the Diversity of Views and Experience Fellowship (DOVE) to about 20 first-year students from underrepresented groups. The fellowship provides a living stipend, tuition, and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. If you wish to be considered for the DOVE Fellowship, please note your interest on your application. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for this award.

Additional resources

• Information about cost of living in Minnesota
• Graduate assistant health plan information
• University fellowships and grants
• CEHD fellowships, scholarships, and grants
• Office for Equity and Diversity funding opportunities
• Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship
• Disability Resource Center scholarship information
• Women’s Center scholarship information

Application instructions

Before you begin.

Before you begin the online application, gather the following materials:

• Explore our faculty members’ areas of research. Identify one or two faculty members whose research interests you. To find out if an ICD faculty member is accepting new students this year, please visit their faculty profile. Before you apply, we encourage you to email the faculty members you're interested in working with to introduce yourself and your research interests.
• Unofficial transcripts: You must submit an unofficial transcript or academic record for each institution you’ve attended.
• Resume or CV: View our CV template to see what information we encourage you to provide.
• Three letters of recommendation: Identify and get contact information for three people who will serve as your recommenders. We suggest that you seek recommendations from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work and speak to your research experience. Share our letter of recommendation prompts with your recommenders.
• Personal statement: Address our personal statement prompts in your statement.
• Diversity Statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. All PhD applicants are asked to submit a diversity statement. Be sure to address our diversity statement prompt in your statement.
• McNair Scholars, you may be eligible for an application fee scholarship. Learn more .
• Participants in the Next Gen Psych Scholars Program (NPSP) may also be eligible for an application fee scholarship. Please contact Bre Krzyzanowski ( [email protected] ) to learn more.

Optional materials

• Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship application: If you wish to be considered for the DOVE Fellowship for underrepresented students, please indicate this on the developmental psychology page in the online application. Learn more about the DOVE Fellowship and application .
• Extenuating circumstances statement: If you'd like to provide an explanation of circumstances that contributed to your test scores or GPA, please write a brief statement.

We’re here to help. Get in touch with our student services team: [email protected]

Quote from Bre Krzyzanowski

As the Student Services Director at ICD, I’m happy to advise and serve students looking to pursue further studies in developmental psychology. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions. Bre Krzyzanowski Student services director

NRC Doctoral Program Rankings

The National Research Council assessed programs according to 21 different criteria. Here are the NRC's five major ratings summarizing those criteria. For a detailed explanation, see their  FAQ.

S-Rank: Programs are ranked highly if they are strong in the criteria that scholars say are most important. Research: Derived from faculty publications, citation rates, grants, and awards. Students: Derived from students' completion rates, financial aid, and other criteria. Diversity: Reflects gender balance, ethnic diversity, and the proportion of international students. R-Rank: Programs are ranked highly if they have similar features to programs viewed by faculty as top-notch.

See more at: http://chronicle.com/article/NRC-Rankings-Overview-/124708/#sthash.NGSJzASE.dpuf

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PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology

The PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) trains students to become world-class research scientists studying human development.

Our ADP faculty and students engage in applied research using a variety of methods and approaches, including in-depth observation, longitudinal modeling, and experimental designs.  ​

This 90-credit program can be completed in approximately five years. Students have the opportunity to learn and grow as researchers through the close mentoring relationships developed with our faculty.

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Program Facts

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Time Commitment

5 years on average

Enrollment Term

Admissions Deadline

Admissions Requirements

No GRE Exam is required

Program Overview

Our PhD program in Applied Developmental Psychology prepares you for research careers answering meaningful practice and policy questions relevant to improving the lives of children, youth, and families.

You will study the following subjects in depth:

• The influence of individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors on learning and well-being outcomes for children and youth in school and out-of-school settings
• How human development and context interact to generate dynamic patterns of child and youth behavior
• The effectiveness of interventions to promote learning and wellbeing outcomes for children and youth

Students complete coursework in a diverse set of topics to learn academic writing skills, real-world applied research design, data analytic tools that match the complexities of the context under study, and authentic assessment strategies.

View Program Curriculum

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements can be found in our PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology Handbook (PDF)

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisite requirements. However, prior research and/or professional experience working with children and families in community or school settings is preferred.

Our most successful students have a few post-baccalaureate years of child- and youth-serving work experience to develop first-hand knowledge of child development in context.

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May 13, 2024 | Noon-1 PM

June 3, 2024 | Noon-1 PM

"I attended Pitt for all of my education. As a doctoral student, I've enjoyed instructing classes and conducting research both independently and collaboratively." Ashley Shafer - Pitt Alumni

Career Pathways

Our graduates go on to have successful research careers in a variety of settings including institutions of higher education and research centers.

Program Faculty

Program Coordinator

Brian Galla

Heather Bachman

Kevin Crowley

Shannon Wanless

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Doctor of Philosophy Developmental Psychology

The mission of the PhD in Developmental Psychology is to provide you with a strong foundation in developmental theories along with the research skills required to advance the science on development in context.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

PhD in Developmental Psychology

Students holding a master's degree or graduate credits in developmental psychology or related field complete 39-48 credits; the total required credits are determined on admission based on alignment of previous coursework with program curriculum. Students admitted with a BA/BS must complete 51 credits.

Admissions Information

Degree components, degree goals and objectives, careers and outcomes, international students, information session :.

  RSVP Link

• Please note the GRE is optional for applications for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle.
• NYU Steinhardt offers a competitive funding package for PhD students who study full-time.   Learn more about Steinhardt's funding opportunities .
• If you have questions regarding admission requirements,  please review our " How to Apply " page.
• If you have any additional questions that are not addressed on the "How to Apply" page, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Our Developmental Psychology doctorate emphasizes intersections among biology, culture, and context in developmental processes across areas of social, cognitive, language, and emotional development. You will apply a variety of methods (e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, survey, observational, semi-structured interviews) to the study of individual and environmental influences on the development of infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents at multiple, nested levels. You will be required to take classes in developmental content areas and analytic methods and research, and advanced seminars on theories of change and theories of culture.

You’ll engage in community- and/or laboratory-based research for the entire length of your studies under the supervision of primary and secondary faculty mentors. We conduct our research in laboratories at New York University and in the homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, and community settings of the multiethnic and richly diverse city of New York.

Additionally, international research is a cornerstone of the program, with faculty and students engaged in studying developmental processes and contextual influences across countries such as China, India, South Africa, Korea and Peru. We work closely with our affiliated global faculty at NYU Shanghai and NYU Abu Dhabi.  

What expertise do doctoral students acquire in the Developmental Psychology doctorate?

• A strong foundation of knowledge on domains of development (e.g., social, cognitive, emotional, language) and how research methods and theories can be applied to current issues in developmental science.
• The ability to think critically and creatively about the ways that research on development, context, and culture advances theories and knowledge of human development.
• The understanding and skills required for the application of theories and knowledge in developmental science to the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions, programs, and institutions that serve children and families.
• Expertise in the use of multiple methods and research designs—including longitudinal, survey research, experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, ethnographic, narrative, and case study methods—and the application of a range of statistical tools in the analysis of findings.
• The ability to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge to scholarly and community audiences and to be a productive member of a community of scholars.

We demonstrate extraordinary success in placing our students in postdoctoral fellowships, academic positions, and research and policy organizations immediately upon graduation, with placements occurring in the final year of study. 

More specifically, over 90% of our graduates continue to engage in cutting-edge research in developmental science through traditional academic and research tracks. The remaining minority of students pursue work in related fields, including NGOs (such as Promundo) and nonprofit foundations and community agencies (including leading Head Start and Early Head Start programs).

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in our program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit  NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT .

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Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

PhD Program Rankings (Adapted from US News and World Report)

Below are reputation scores and ranks of the top 27 PhD programs in Psychology, including top-ranked schools in each of six subspecialties. From US News and World Report, “America’s Best Graduate Schools” rank/school average reputation score.

Rank                                      School Average reputation score

1                                 Stanford Univ.                                                         4.8

2                                 Univ. of California-Berkeley                                       4.6

2                                 Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor                                     4.6

4                                 Univ. of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign                         4.5

4                                 Yale Univ.                                                                 4.5

6                                 Harvard Univ.                                                        4.4

6                                 Univ. of California-Los Angeles                             4.4

6                                 Univ. of Minnesota-Twin Cities                             4.4

9                                 Carnegie Mellon Univ.                                             4.2

9                                 Princeton Univ.                                                          4.2

9                                 Univ. of Pennsylvania                                                4.2

9                                 Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison                                        4.2

13                               Indiana Univ.-Bloomington                                          4.1

13                               Univ. of California-San Diego                                         4.1

13                               Univ. of North Carolina-Chapel Hill                               4.1

16                               Johns Hopkins Univ.                                                       4.0

16                               Univ. of Colorado-Boulder                                              4.0

16                               Univ. of Texas-Austin                                                  4.0

19                               Cornell Univ.                                                               3.9

19                               Duke Univ.                                                                   3.9

19                               Northwestern Univ.                                                  3.9

19                               Univ. of Chicago                                                      3.9

19                               Univ. of Washington                                                    3.9

24                               Columbia Univ.                                                             3.8

24                               Ohio State Univ.                                                             3.8

24                               Univ. of California-Irvine                                                 3.8

24                               Univ. of Virginia                                                              3.8

Top Specialty Programs

C linical Psychology

1. Univ. of Minnesota-Twin Cities

2. Univ. of Illinois-Urban a-Champaign

3. Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor

4. Univ. of California-Los Angeles

5. Univ. of Washington

Co unseling Psychology

1. Univ. of Maryland-College Park

2. Ohio State Univ.

3. Univ. of Minnesota-Twin Cities

4. Univ. of Missouri-Columbia

5. Univ. of Iowa

Developme n tal

2. Univ. of Virginia

2. Stanford Univ.

4. Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor

5. Univ. of Illinois-Urban a-Champaign

5. Univ. of California-Berkeley

Expe ri menta l P sychology

1. Stanford Univ.

2. Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor

3. Univ. of California-Berkeley

4. Univ. of Illinois-Urban a-Champaign

5. Carnegie Mellon Univ.

I ndustrial / Organizational

2. Univ. of Maryland-College Park

3. Michigan State Univ.

4. Ohio State Univ.

5. Bowling Green State Univ.

5. Univ. of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign

Schoo l Psychology

1. Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison

2. Univ. of Texas-Austin

3. Univ. of South Carolina-Columbia

3. Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln

3. Columbia Univ.

(The response rate for psychology was 34%, the lowest response rate for the six PhD fields surveyed. Political Science had the highest response rate, at 54%.)

Reprinted with permission from US News and World Report. Copyright, 1995, US News and World Report.

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2024 Best Child Development & Psychology Master's Degree Schools

College Factual reviewed 89 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for master's degree seekers in the field of child development & psychology. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,686 master's degrees in child development & psychology during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Master’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Child Development & Psychology School for Your Master's Degree

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

• Major Focus - How much a school focuses on child development & psychology students vs. other majors.
• Major Demand - How many other child development & psychology students want to attend this school to pursue a master's degree.
• Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
• Student Debt - How much debt child development & psychology students go into to obtain their master's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized child development & psychology related body.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for child development & psychology students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The child development school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings , including this list of the Best Child Development & Psychology Master's Degree Schools.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Child Development & Psychology in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in child development & psychology. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

13 Top Schools for a Master's in Child Development

It is hard to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a master's degree in child development & psychology. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from University of Pennsylvania

It is difficult to beat University of Chicago if you want to pursue a master's degree in child development & psychology. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from University of Chicago

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in child development & psychology has to check out Harvard University. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cambridge. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Harvard University

It is hard to beat Washington University in St Louis if you wish to pursue a master's degree in child development & psychology. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Washington University in St Louis

Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Princeton. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Princeton University

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Columbia University in the City of New York

Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the child development program make about $50,158 in their early career salary.

Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from University of Notre Dame

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Vanderbilt University

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Cornell University

Located in the city of New York, Teachers College is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Master's students who receive their degree from the child development program earn about $42,397 in their early career salary.

Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham U is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from Fordham University

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population. More information about a master’s in child development & psychology from University of Connecticut

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to Child Development & Psychology that might interest you.

Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)

MS in Psychology

Our Master of Science in Psychology program is designed to extend your knowledge and discipline in psychology, preparing you for a wide variety of professions and contexts.

General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Child Development & Psychology Master's Degree Schools award.

Child Development & Psychology by Region

View the Best Child Development & Psychology Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Best associate degrees in child development & psychology, best doctorate degrees in child development & psychology, best value in child development & psychology, best for non-traditional students in child development & psychology, best online in child development & psychology, most popular online in child development & psychology, best bachelor's degrees in child development & psychology, best overall in child development & psychology, highest paid grads in child development & psychology, best for veterans in child development & psychology, most popular in child development & psychology, most focused in child development & psychology.

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Rankings in Majors Related to Child Development

One of 24 majors within the Psychology area of study, Child Development & Psychology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Child Development Concentrations

Most popular related majors, notes and references.

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ). More about our data sources and methodologies .

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Masters in Developmental and Child Psychology Programs in America

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PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

College of Arts and Science

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

Cornell University College of Human Ecology

Ithaca, NY •

Cornell University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: Again I’ve only just enrolled so I can’t say much but in my program I’ve noticed a wide breadth of classes available with professional placement after completing my program. I appreciate the classes that are a mix of practical and also theoretical. ... Read 2 reviews

Cornell University ,

ITHACA, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Again I’ve only just enrolled so I can’t say much but in my program I’ve noticed a wide breadth of classes available with professional placement after completing my program. I appreciate the classes... .

Read 2 reviews.

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• Doctor of Experimental Psychology Programs
• Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis Programs

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

Lynch School of Education

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

• • Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I am preparing to start my studies in this program. As of now, all staff has made this process extremely stress free and easy. My classes have been planned out for my entire time in the program. This is helpful in knowing what is to coming and planning for the future. My advisor has done an exceptional job of working with me to ensure I am taking the correct classes in conjunction to feel prepared for my MTELS. I am looking forward to all there is to come in this program. ... Read 4 reviews

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am preparing to start my studies in this program. As of now, all staff has made this process extremely stress free and easy. My classes have been planned out for my entire time in the program. This... .

Read 4 reviews.

College of Education and Human Development - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN •

University of Minnesota Twin Cities •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Alum: This is a well-known school for education. They are on top of the latest research and development in the field and share this knowledge with their students. The school has its own lab school for early childhood development where students are able to observe child behavior, learn hands-on how to connect and make meaningful relationships with children, and how to conduct basic research. ... Read 3 reviews

University of Minnesota Twin Cities ,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says This is a well-known school for education. They are on top of the latest research and development in the field and share this knowledge with their students. The school has its own lab school for... .

Read 3 reviews.

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University of Washington College of Arts & Sciences

Seattle, WA •

University of Washington •

University of Washington ,

SEATTLE, WA ,

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences - University of Maryland

College Park, MD •

University of Maryland - College Park •

University of Maryland - College Park ,

COLLEGE PARK, MD ,

Texas Christian University College of Science and Engineering

Fort Worth, TX •

Texas Christian University •

Texas Christian University ,

FORT WORTH, TX ,

University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Storrs, CT •

University of Connecticut •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: The University of Connecticut is a very supportive, diverse, academically enriching place for education growth. I have learned a great deal from the very knowledgeable and helpful professors and staff on the West Hartford campus. I think that the campus has a lot to offer with extra curricular activities and involvements and UCONN does a great job of trying to get students involved outside of the classroom. I would highly recommend this campus and the Master's of Social Work program to anyone interested. The parking is convenient, the campus is small, and the environment is personable. I am honored the opportunity to pursue my masters degree at this prestigious university. ... Read 1 review

University of Connecticut ,

STORRS, CT ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says The University of Connecticut is a very supportive, diverse, academically enriching place for education growth. I have learned a great deal from the very knowledgeable and helpful professors and... .

Read 1 reviews.

Graduate School of Professional Psychology - University of Denver

Denver, CO •

University of Denver •

• • Rating 1 out of 5   1 review

University of Denver ,

DENVER, CO ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 1 stars.

KU School of Education

Lawrence, KS •

The University of Kansas •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: The professors are amazing and easy to work with. The projects are applicable to the real world. You get a lot of resources to transfer into your career choice ... Read 5 reviews

The University of Kansas ,

LAWRENCE, KS ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The professors are amazing and easy to work with. The projects are applicable to the real world. You get a lot of resources to transfer into your career choice .

Read 5 reviews.

• Doctor of industrial and Organizational Psychology Programs
• Online Masters in Counseling Psychology Programs

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences - University of Texas - Dallas

Richardson, TX •

University of Texas - Dallas •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: I am so glad I chose UTD to get my masters in Communication Disorders! I love the program and the people, and I know am am getting a great education. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Texas - Dallas ,

RICHARDSON, TX ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am so glad I chose UTD to get my masters in Communication Disorders! I love the program and the people, and I know am am getting a great education. .

Loyola University Chicago College of Arts and Sciences

Chicago, IL •

Loyola University Chicago •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff were always a pleasure to work with. I miss my Loyola days for sure!!! ... Read 1 review

Loyola University Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff... .

Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Bronx, NY •

Fordham University •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Niche User: Academics program at Fordham are not that much compatible as it seems the content is out dated and most of the time it is theoretical. ... Read 2 reviews

Fordham University ,

BRONX, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Niche User says Academics program at Fordham are not that much compatible as it seems the content is out dated and most of the time it is theoretical. .

Duquesne University School of Education

Pittsburgh, PA •

Duquesne University •

• • Rating 4.4 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: Coursework was very engaging and helped me understand the field of counseling. The courses are designed to develop our counseling skills and our understanding of the profession. ... Read 5 reviews

Duquesne University ,

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Coursework was very engaging and helped me understand the field of counseling. The courses are designed to develop our counseling skills and our understanding of the profession. .

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland, Baltimore County •

Blue checkmark.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County ,

School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences - William Carey University

Hattiesburg, MS •

William Carey University •

William Carey University ,

HATTIESBURG, MS ,

Gallaudet University

Washington, DC •

• • Rating 4.57 out of 5   47 reviews

Doctoral Student: The best part of the Doctor of Audiology program at Gallaudet University is the opportunity to be enveloped in the Deaf community, which is unique for audiology programs in the United States. They provide a different perspective of hearing loss while educating the students in an exceptional manner with clinical and classroom studies. Some things that the program could improve on is communication between the department and students. At times, there are delays in sharing information about deadlines and opportunities. Students can feel rushed and "not in-the-loop" on what is happening in the program which can cause anxiety and uncertainty. ... Read 47 reviews

WASHINGTON, DC ,

47 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The best part of the Doctor of Audiology program at Gallaudet University is the opportunity to be enveloped in the Deaf community, which is unique for audiology programs in the United States. They... Some things that the program could improve on is communication between the department and students. At times, there are delays in sharing information about deadlines and opportunities. Students can... .

Read 47 reviews.

Pace University College of Health Professions

New York, NY •

Pace University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: I will be starting the Family Nurse Practitioner program this Fall 2023. So far I have taken Orientation and other introduction courses. I must say all content is designed to prepare you to succeed. ... Read 4 reviews

Pace University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I will be starting the Family Nurse Practitioner program this Fall 2023. So far I have taken Orientation and other introduction courses. I must say all content is designed to prepare you to succeed. .

College of Arts and Sciences - Lee University

Cleveland, TN •

Lee University •

• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Niche User: It was alright but didnt have a bad time there for the time I did have there, there were some people that were mean ... Read 2 reviews

Lee University ,

CLEVELAND, TN ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Niche User says It was alright but didnt have a bad time there for the time I did have there, there were some people that were mean .

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, MA •

• • Rating 4.59 out of 5   29 reviews

Doctoral Student: The Bay Path DHSc Public Health program teaches on DEI, what is public health history, current and future descriptions for the U.S and world wide. Courses include Healthcare leadership, different types of public health, statistics, epidemiology, research courses and more. You will have a research project and defense before graduating to prove your ability and growth as an expert. Professors and advisory team understands life happens and is have great patience. Communication is a two-way path. You'll fell apart of the University, even online. ... Read 29 reviews

LONGMEADOW, MA ,

29 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The Bay Path DHSc Public Health program teaches on DEI, what is public health history, current and future descriptions for the U.S and world wide. Courses include Healthcare leadership, different... .

Read 29 reviews.

College of Education - Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX •

Tarleton State University •

Master's Student: The course was very engaging and the teachers are great about showing how the course material can be applied in real life situations. They also help with things that you don't understand by relating it to subjects that a person can relate to. ... Read 3 reviews

Tarleton State University ,

STEPHENVILLE, TX ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says The course was very engaging and the teachers are great about showing how the course material can be applied in real life situations. They also help with things that you don't understand by relating... .

Eastern Washington University College of Social Sciences

Cheney, WA •

Eastern Washington University •

Eastern Washington University ,

CHENEY, WA ,

Ellis College of Arts and Sciences

Arkadelphia, AR •

Henderson State University •

Henderson State University ,

ARKADELPHIA, AR ,

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