Developmental and Child Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic field of developmental and child psychology through a rigorous academic lens, focusing on the scientific understanding of psychological transformation from infancy to adolescence. This program equips students with advanced knowledge of how cognitive, emotional, and social capacities evolve over time, grounded in empirical research and evidence-based practice.
- Cognitive and perceptual development: Investigate how children acquire thinking, problem-solving, and sensory processing abilities across early life stages.
- Emotional development: Examine the emergence and regulation of emotions, including attachment, empathy, and self-awareness in young individuals.
- Personality development: Study the formation of enduring traits and behavioral patterns, including the interplay of temperament and environmental influences.
- Biological maturation and behavior: Analyze the impact of neurological and physiological changes on psychological functioning and behavioral expression.
- Theories of cognitive growth: Engage with foundational models such as Piaget’s stages, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, and modern developmental frameworks.
- Research methodologies: Master qualitative and quantitative approaches used to study developmental processes, including longitudinal and experimental designs.
- Assessment and testing: Learn age-appropriate tools and techniques for evaluating developmental progress, learning needs, and psychological functioning.
- Child and adolescent behavior therapy: Explore therapeutic interventions tailored to developmental challenges, including anxiety, ADHD, and social-emotional difficulties.
- Psychology of aging: Extend understanding to lifespan perspectives, examining how early developmental trajectories influence later life outcomes.
Developmental and Child Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Developmental and Child Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Developmental and Child Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,127,740 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists 19-3033 | $95,830 | $50,470 - $170,150 | 72,190 | $46.07 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers 21-1021 | $58,570 | $40,580 - $94,030 | 382,960 | $28.16 |
Developmental and Child Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,483 in Arkansas to $115,245 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Jersey, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,127,740 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Developmental and Child Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 59 institutions offering Developmental and Child Psychology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Developmental and Child Psychology is found at New York University (NYU) (234 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (158 graduates), Capella University (144 graduates), Boston College (BC) (103 graduates), and The University of Texas, Dallas (103 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,820 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
234 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
158 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Capella University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
144 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
103 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
103 | Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
90 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
84 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Walden University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
61 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
59 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
54 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Postbac Cert.
|
50 | Los Angeles, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
45 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Fordham University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Utica University |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| Northcentral University (NCU) |
Master's
|
39 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Bay Path University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Longmeadow, Massachusetts | Private | baypath.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
25 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Emmanuel College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emmanuel.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
14 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Eckerd College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Private | eckerd.edu |
| Savannah State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahstate.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Metropolitan State University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Morningside University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Maryville College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Maryville, Tennessee | Private | maryvillecollege.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
|
4 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Keuka College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Keuka Park, New York | Private | keuka.edu |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Athens, Tennessee | Private | tnwesleyan.edu |
| Saint Mary's College of California |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Moraga, California | Private | stmarys-ca.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Marshall, Texas | Private | etbu.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Eureka College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Eureka, Illinois | Private | eureka.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Other Award
|
1 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Developmental and Child Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a Developmental and Child Psychology degree?
Salaries for Developmental and Child Psychology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn around $95,830. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $115,245 compared to $63,483 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,127,740 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Developmental and Child Psychology programs?
Currently 59 accredited institutions offer Developmental and Child Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (234 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (158 graduates), and Capella University (144 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Developmental and Child Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 786 in 2010 to 1,820 in 2023-24. This represents a 132% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Developmental and Child Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, and Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 1,127,740 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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