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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s in child and adolescent psychology, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in child and adolescent psychology programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities has an MA in applied child and adolescent development that stands out from the crowd. This degree program is 100 percent online and covers 32 credit-hours of classes. Coursework will be defined by prerequisites and 15 credits in an emphasis area.

Within the degree program, learners have a chance to concentrate in one of three areas: infant and early childhood mental health, child life, individual studies. Each path includes 13 customized classes.

2. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Through the fully online MS in child & adolescent behavioral health degree at USF, learners have access to a world of involved professors and streamlined classes. A total of 39 classes are required for this degree. The degree program can be delivered as a thesis or a non-thesis program. Within the coursework, learners can customize their degree to one of four concentrations: developmental disabilities, leadership in child & adolescent behavioral health, research & evaluation, or youth & behavioral health.

3. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

At Liberty University, learners will finish an online MA in applied psychology/developmental psychology. Classes are delivered in 8-week cycles, totaling 36 credit hours. Most learners finish their degree in about a year and a half. This coursework is infused with faith-based teachings.

4. Capella University, Minneapolis, MN

The Harold Abel School of Psychology has an MS in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development. This is a fully online degree program that requires 55 credit-hours to complete. The first 20 credits are in foundational subjects, and the next 30 are concentration classes.

The degree at Capella University can be finished in either the guided path format or the flex path format. The guided path sets out a structured class schedule for learners to follow to help them stay on the path. The flex path is self-guided and self-paced.

5. Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL

The MA in psychology degree program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology allows learners to focus on the child and adolescent concentration. This is an online degree program that learners can finish either part time or full time. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has academic partnerships with several schools and organizations. For example, the school has financial discounts for learners transferring in from Kaplan International, LA County Community Colleges, Sophia Learning, UC Irvine Extension, and others.

6. North Central University, Minneapolis, MN

Established in 1996, North Central University is an online institution that delivers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. It manages five academic schools, including the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Around 10,000 learners attend North Central University each year. The university has an MS in child and adolescent psychology that spans 30 credit-hours. This online degree encompasses 10 classes and takes most learners around 20 months to finish. Along with the 30-credit-hour degree program, learners have the choice of participating in a 100-hour internship in an area organization.

7. Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH

At Southern New Hampshire University, students enroll in a 36 credit-hour MS in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development psychology. This degree program lets learners accelerate their degree forward with 10-week terms. Most learners finish in 15 months. Southern New Hampshire University is known to be one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country.

8. CUNY City College, New York, NY

Learners who attend the MA in psychology at CUNY School of Professional Studies have two options for specializing: industrial/organizational psychology or developmental psychology. The coursework consists of core classes, research methods, concentration classes, and electives. CUNY City College is rated in the top 25 online master’s in psychology degrees by Online Psychology Degrees. It also recently made the list of the Top 20 Best Values for an online master’s in psychology by College Values Online.

9. Montclair State University, Montclair NJ

The Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy has an online MA in child advocacy and policy. This coursework integrates psychology, social work, and law. Learners take two sessions per term in 8-week classes. Over 33 credit-hours, students learn everything they need to know to be a leader in their field. Montclair State University is fully equipped to meet the multifaceted demands of an online degree program. Learners will be set up with a graduate degree program coordinator assigned specifically to the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy. They also have access to a virtual library, writing center, and tech support.