Clinical Child Psychology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Clinical Child Psychology is a specialized field dedicated to understanding the psychological development of children and adolescents, along with the identification, assessment, and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders within this population. This program equips students with the advanced knowledge and practical expertise needed to provide evidence-based psychological services in clinical settings, schools, and healthcare environments.
- Developmental Neuropsychology: Explores the relationship between brain development and behavior, focusing on how neurological processes influence cognitive, emotional, and social functioning across childhood and adolescence.
- Child Psychopathology: Examines the nature, causes, and manifestations of mental health disorders in youth, including anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorders.
- Assessment of Children and Adolescents: Focuses on the administration, interpretation, and ethical use of standardized psychological and cognitive tests tailored to young populations.
- Pediatric Psychology: Integrates psychological principles with medical care to support children managing chronic illness, pain, and developmental challenges in healthcare contexts.
- Psychosocial Factors in Development: Investigates how family dynamics, socioeconomic status, culture, and environmental stressors shape emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.
- Behavioral Assessment and Intervention: Trains students in systematic observation, data collection, and the design of targeted behavioral strategies to modify maladaptive patterns.
- Family Therapy: Emphasizes the role of family systems in child development, with techniques to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen familial support structures.
- Clinical Skills and Professional Practice: Develops core competencies in diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, and therapeutic techniques grounded in empirical research.
- Consultation and Collaboration: Prepares practitioners to work effectively with educators, medical providers, and other professionals to deliver coordinated care for children and their families.
- Professional Ethics and Standards: Ensures adherence to legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing psychological practice, with a focus on confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural competence.
Clinical Child Psychology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Child Psychology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Child Psychology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. 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 762,570 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 |
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | $117,580 | $51,410 - $163,570 | 17,790 | $56.53 |
| 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 |
Clinical Child Psychology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $78,020 in West Virginia to $134,845 in California—a 73% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Connecticut, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 762,570 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 Clinical Child Psychology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Clinical 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 Clinical Child Psychology is found at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) (30 graduates), University of Denver (DU) (25 graduates), University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (25 graduates), Regis University (8 graduates), and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 106 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) |
Post-Master's
|
30 | Olathe, Kansas | Private | mnu.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
25 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Regis University |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Prairie View, Texas | Public | pvamu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Child Psychology programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Child Psychology degree?
Salaries for Clinical Child Psychology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Psychologists, All Other earn around $117,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $134,845 compared to $78,020 in West Virginia. Approximately 762,570 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 Clinical Child Psychology programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer Clinical Child Psychology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) (30 graduates), University of Denver (DU) (25 graduates), and University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (25 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 Clinical Child Psychology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 60 in 2010 to a peak of 113 in 2020, before declining slightly to 106 in 2023-24. This represents a 77% 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 Clinical Child Psychology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Psychologists, All Other, and Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. Related occupations employ approximately 762,570 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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