Best Child Psychology Masters Programs in California
The right child psychology masters program can shape your entire career trajectory, especially in California, which has the largest population of children under 18. The financial rewards are just as strong, with child psychologists earning an average salary of $142,504 per year and top earners reaching $180,000 annually. Whether you’re pursuing a child psychology degree focused on clinical practice or developmental research, California offers plenty of options. In this guide, we rank several masters programs, including specialized child psychology program tracks, to help you find your academic fit.
San Diego State University (SDSU) – M.S. in Child Development
School Overview
San Diego State University operates one of only two child development programs available in the California State University system. The Department of Child and Family Development administers this interdisciplinary Master of Science degree and prepares anti-racist child and family development professionals through culturally relevant, equity-minded education. California has 101 community college child development programs and the CSU system has 17 undergraduate programs. SDSU’s M.S. program plays a major role in training professionals for the state and region. The department’s multidisciplinary faculty bring expertise in socio-emotional development, attachment, early childhood education, developmental disabilities, and child and adolescent mental health.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
SDSU’s child psychology degree program requires 30-32 graduate credits completed over two years through Spring and Fall semesters. The program focuses on social and emotional development and child development in context. It explores how children develop within early childhood education programs, schools, families, and communities.
The curriculum emphasizes early childhood development, prevention and intervention, family processes, and risk and resilience. Other areas include parent-child intergenerational relationships, boosting school readiness, preparing teachers to work with families, socio-emotional and behavior support in educational settings, and influences of language and culture.
The program translates theory and research to practice in education, prevention, and intervention settings. It serves working professionals and full-time students. Core courses include seminars in family processes, human development theories, professional development, and research methods.
Admission Requirements
You must hold a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission, preferably in child development or related fields. SDSU requires a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units attempted. The application package must include three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources. International applicants need to complete the TOEFL and provide international coursework documents.
The program accepts applications for Fall admission only. The February 1 deadline applies to Cal State Apply applications, and the February 15 deadline applies to program applications and official transcripts. You’ll submit a two-page personal statement that explains your interest in child development, relevant experience, research or project development interests, target populations, and career goals. An academic writing sample is required, preferably a research or literature review paper.
Capstone Options
SDSU offers three capstone pathways tailored to your professional goals:
- Thesis: Conduct research on children or families under faculty guidance and report findings in your thesis. This option suits students building academic expertise for child psychology phd program applications. You can publish research or present at professional conferences.
- Project: Design and implement a program for children, families, or professionals serving them, mentored by CFD faculty. Applied professionals developing field programs benefit from this option. Quality project evaluations can be published and strengthen PhD applications.
- Comprehensive Exam: Complete an exam covering material from M.S. courses. This path works for students with an applied focus on helping infants and young children, though you must take a specific set of electives.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates qualify for administrator, coordinator, or service provider positions in preschools, day care centers, schools, hospitals, public welfare and family service agencies, and community programs. The program meets educational requirements for these positions at agencies of all types.
K-12 teachers pursue this degree to boost teaching strategies and qualify for pay increases. Graduates have moved into leadership positions at nonprofits focused on children and families, created home early childhood education programs, and secured director positions at early childhood education centers. Other career paths include child assessment, developmental specialist roles, and early intervention positions.
The program also qualifies graduates as community college instructors and university lecturers. Many use this degree to strengthen applications for doctoral programs in human development or related fields. Graduates with the advanced certificate from the Department of Child and Family Development qualify for early childhood mental health and behavioral health positions.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Developmental Psychology Ph.D. Program
School Overview
UCLA’s Psychology Department stands out by offering PhD training only. No separate M.A. program or Psy.D. program is available. The campus sits in west Los Angeles, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and operates as one of ten University of California campuses. The department provides graduate training in eight different areas: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Health Psychology, Quantitative, Social, and Social and Affective Neuroscience Psychology. Students admitted to the Developmental Area can major in Developmental Psychology or Social and Affective Neuroscience. The Psychology Ph.D. program ranks among 18 Ph.D. programs in the biosciences at UCLA.
Child Psychology Ph.D. Program Details
The child psychology phd program operates as a six-year, full-time commitment. Students become research-active right away. They work with a faculty advisor during their first quarter. The program begins with a core curriculum that has dual roles: it provides breadth and serves as foundation for specialized study. Core components include a two-quarter statistics series, area-required courses, and a three-quarter research sequence. You design, conduct, and write up a research project under two faculty members’ direction.
You complete two statistics courses during the first year. You also take one additional methodology course and two to three graduate seminars while you conduct a first-year research project. The second year involves two to three graduate seminars and continued research activities. By year three, you complete a paper alongside research work. Years four through six center on dissertation research. The program requires three developmental courses and three additional courses. You participate in developmental forums and teaching seminars. Most students graduate in year five or six.
Students access advanced research methods that include MRI, EEG/ERP, genetic analysis, physiological measurements, microbiome studies, eye-tracking, school-based research, and cross-cultural field work in multiple countries. The program supports research in affective and cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience of emotional and physical health, perceptual and cognitive development, language acquisition, family processes, peer influence and relationships, culture and development studies, and developmental disorders.
Admission Requirements
Applications for the Developmental area must arrive by December 1, 2025. You submit only the online UCLA application for Graduate Admission. No departmental application exists. Applications are accepted once yearly for Fall quarter entry, and late submissions are not accepted past posted deadlines.
Your application requires a Statement of Purpose up to 1000 words. Describe your scholarly interests, research areas, preparation experiences, and future plans. You also submit a Personal Statement up to 500 words that covers background, accomplishments, and life experiences not described elsewhere. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted through the application. You upload unofficial transcripts for review purposes.
GRE scores are not required starting Fall 2023. International applicants whose first language is not English need TOEFL or IELTS scores. Minimum requirements are 87 on the internet-based TOEFL or 7.0 overall band score on IELTS. You must indicate up to three prospective faculty mentors in your application for the Developmental area. Finalists are required to interview, either in person or remote.
Faculty accepting students for Fall 2026 admission include Andrew Fuligni, Shulamite Green, Catherine Sandhofer, Jennifer Silvers, and Lucina Uddin.
Research Focus Areas
Research, training, and coursework unite around five core themes. Cognition, Perception, and Language breaks down how children acquire and process information. Culture, Education, Learning, and Social Development explores contextual influences on development. Emotion, Stress, and Risk Taking gets into affective processes and decision-making patterns. Identity, Family, and Peers studies relational dynamics and self-concept formation. Neurodevelopment and Neurobiological Bases of Development focuses on brain-behavior relationships throughout developmental stages.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
The program prepares psychologists to work as researchers, college and university instructors, and professional research psychologists. Graduates pursue careers in both academic and applied settings. They secure positions at universities and colleges, research and governmental organizations, and business and industry. The main goal in any discipline trains researchers dedicated to increasing the body of scientific knowledge that psychology rests upon.
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) – M.A. in Early Childhood Educational Psychology
School Overview
California State University, Northridge serves as a Hispanic-serving Institution with 36,960 students enrolled as of Fall 2025, where 57.5% are Latinx, 18.4% are White, 8.5% are Asian-American, and 5.5% are Black/African American. The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling administers the M.A. in Early Childhood Educational Psychology and prepares people to take leadership and teaching roles in programs that serve children from birth through age 8 and their families. This child psychology degree program operates under CSUN’s commitment to excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. It encourages an atmosphere of civility and respect in a variety of populations.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
The M.A. in Early Childhood Educational Psychology requires 39 total units that comprise 33 core course units and 6 culminating experience units. This child psychology masters program lines up with Professional Standards for Advanced Students at the master’s level as specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in concert with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Core coursework has Research Principles, Issues and Theories in Early Childhood, Language and Concept Development in Multicultural-Multilingual Settings, Foundations of Developmental Curriculum, Systems and Policies, Fieldwork, Assessment and Evaluation, Partnerships for Excellence, Collaboration with Families, Seminar in Professional Writing, and Directed Graduate Research. Students take Directed Graduate Research twice with advisement from their culminating experience chair. You must maintain a ‘B’ average in completed coursework to make satisfactory progress. Students who earn less than a grade of ‘B’ must meet with their faculty advisor to determine program continuation.
Admission Requirements
The application to this child psychology degree involves a two-step process that requires applications to both the University and the Department. You need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, good standing at your last institution, and at least a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted.
Two prerequisite courses totaling 6 units must be completed no more than seven years prior to admission with a grade of B minus or higher. The prerequisites are EPC 430: Development and Learning in Early Childhood Education and EPC 600: Educational Statistics for Research and Measurement. You can apply even without completing prerequisites, though you must finish all courses before entry.
After you submit your application, you must submit two recommendations and participate in the by-invitation-only admission interview process. Not all applicants receive interview invitations. Interview dates cannot be rescheduled as all candidates are interviewed together in a group setting. Application windows for Fall 2025 run from October 1, 2024 to July 8, 2025, Spring 2026 from August 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025, and Fall 2026 from October 1, 2025 to June 1, 2026.
Program Objectives and Features
Evening classes accommodate working professionals who seek to advance their careers. The program emphasizes cultural pathways through The Bridging Cultures Project, a cooperative action research project that addresses cultural values conflicts in schools and caregiving settings. Fieldwork opportunities allow you to apply theories and research in community-based settings. You have options to join the Early Childhood Education Partnerships for Excellence program that pairs students with experienced mentors.
Students select from three culminating experience options: Directed Comprehensive Studies or Thesis/Graduate Project. The program builds knowledge in child development, adult-child interaction, cultural and language diversity, and biological and environmental factors that influence families and young children.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates secure positions as community college child development instructors, parent educators in public or private settings, specialists who serve families with high-risk infants and young children, coordinators of community program services, lead teachers, supervisors or directors of programs, child advocates in social policy agencies, consultants or coaches in early childhood settings, and professional development providers. The coursework establishes a strong foundation to enter doctoral programs in early childhood education. These programs prepare you to teach at the university level, conduct child development research, plan and administer programs, or develop public policy.
University of California, Davis (UC Davis) – M.S. in Child Development
School Overview
The Graduate Group in Child Development at UC Davis operates through an interdisciplinary structure within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. This multidisciplinary approach allows you to study child development in multiple domains that include biological, cognitive and social-emotional aspects while you look at diverse settings such as family, school, community, culture and society. Faculty collaboration extends to the Departments of Human Ecology, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Nutrition, the School of Education, the Center for Mind and Brain, the UC Davis Medical Center and the Medical Investigation of Neurological Disorders Institute. This child psychology master’s program produces research-oriented graduates with solid disciplinary foundations.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
The two-year program leading to a Master of Science degree provides in-depth examination of cognitive and socio-emotional development from infancy through adolescence. You complete a practicum working with children and families at the University’s Center for Child & Family Studies or in the community. The curriculum emphasizes a balance of supervised practical experience, theory and methodology.
Core coursework spans development through the lifespan. HDE 200A covers early development from conception to age five and looks at biological, social, cognitive and cultural aspects. HDE 200B addresses middle childhood and adolescence from age five through late adolescence. Specialized courses have HDE 203 on adolescent behavioral and emotional development, HDE 204 on developmental neuroscience and adolescent psychopathology, and HDE 239 on developmental psychopathology that integrates multiple system levels from genes to cultural contexts. Research methods training has HDE 220 on qualitative and quantitative approaches and HDE 205 on longitudinal data analysis.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must complete all materials by the December 1 priority deadline to be considered for university and departmental funding. The final admissions deadline falls on March 1. Incomplete applications submitted after December 1 receive admission consideration only on a space-available basis.
You need an undergraduate major in biological or social sciences. Students who have prior work in genetics, human development, psychology or physiology are suited to the program. Background preparation in courses covering infancy and early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence, human genetics or physiology, and statistics or research methods is recommended. Your application requires a curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation submitted electronically and a minimum GPA of 3.0. GRE scores are not required. You must also submit a Statement of Purpose that describes academic preparation, motivation, research interests and professional goals, plus a Personal Statement covering background and life experiences.
Degree Plan Options
UC Davis offers two degree plan options. Plan I requires a thesis component for students focused on research and academic careers. Plan II provides a non-thesis option for those pursuing applied professional pathways.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Recipients gain sufficient background for professions with children and families, such as preschool education, 4-H youth development programs and social policy work. Graduates get positions in teaching or research settings at the community college level. The program also serves as preparation for further doctoral study in child development, human development, clinical psychology or related fields. The Center for Child and Family Studies employs master’s degree holders in positions that require expertise in child development research, early childhood education standards and program quality evaluation.
California Polytechnic State University – M.S. in Psychology (Child Development Focus)
School Overview
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Master of Science in Psychology prepares you for clinical work as a Marriage and Family Therapist, meeting educational and training requirements set by California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences. The program sits in San Luis Obispo and operates on a cohort model with approximately 40 fully matriculated students receiving individual attention through small classes. The program currently follows a quarter system but will transition to a semester format starting fall 2026. The Psychology and Child Development Department coordinates the program with faculty bringing backgrounds in professional degrees and clinical training.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
This child psychology masters program trains master-level clinicians to counsel individuals and couples in multicultural settings. You complete the degree as a full-time student following a fixed curricular schedule, with courses offered in both day and evening time slots. The program structure allows you to secure your degree in two years or two years plus two quarters, depending on your knowing how to carry 12-16 quarter units per semester. Some students require additional time beyond the standard timeline because of extensive clinical training requirements combined with student work and family obligations. Courses are scheduled once annually and require careful planning throughout your enrollment.
The curriculum emphasizes hands-on clinical experience through the department’s on-campus practicum training clinic and community traineeship sites. Faculty members teach graduate classes, with mental health professionals from the community contributing instruction.
Admission Requirements
You face competitive admission standards, as only 26 students gain acceptance from 210 applications annually, with 14 enrolling. Applications must arrive by January 4th for both domestic and international candidates. The $55 application fee applies to domestic applicants. Your application package requires GRE scores. International students whose first language is not English need a minimum TOEFL IBT score of 80. Financial aid applicants submit FAFSA forms by the March 2 deadline.
Research and Clinical Training
Faculty research spans eating disorders, mood disorders and neuropsychology. The eight-member faculty has three full-time and five part-time instructors. You develop clinical skills through the SLO Counseling Service, which provides available mental health care to the community. Students play important roles in community programs supporting both campus and local populations.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates secure employment with County Mental Health, Social Services and community mental health centers. Many build successful private practices following licensure. Approximately fifteen percent advance to doctoral studies in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. The program qualifies you for counseling positions requiring training in family systems and therapeutic interventions.
California State University, San Bernardino – M.A. in Child Development
School Overview
California State University, San Bernardino sits at the foothills of the San Bernardino mountains in the Inland Empire region of Southern California and serves approximately 19,000 students. CSUSB is a federally recognized minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution that reflects exceptional diversity. Seventy-four percent of students come from underrepresented groups, 80 percent are first-generation, and 56 percent are Pell eligible. The Department of Child, Adolescent, & Family Studies administers this child psychology master’s program and became an independent department in 2021 after operating as a program since 1985. The department has over 600 declared majors and eight tenure-track faculty members who conduct research in behavioral and educational sciences, connecting schools, families and communities.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
The Master of Arts in Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies is a 38-unit evening program designed for working professionals and full-time students. You can complete this child psychology degree in 18 months. Tuition for the program totals USD 17,520. This child psychology master’s program provides training in core areas that include development from birth through adolescence, family studies, and research design and methodology. The program has operated since 2000 and features a unique applied focus that integrates early childhood education, special education, counseling and social work.
Admission Requirements
Your application requires a baccalaureate degree with a major in human development, child development or psychology, though the graduate admissions committee accepts other undergraduate majors. You need a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 overall and a 3.2 minimum in your major. You must also satisfy three prerequisites: one class in child development, one in statistics and one in research methodology. Your application package has a brief statement describing your preparation for graduate study, goals and professional aspirations, plus three letters of recommendation with at least two from former professors.
Curriculum and Coursework
Students complete a minimum of 38 semester units of approved graduate-level work, with at least 27 units in residence at CSUSB. You must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all courses, earn grades of B- or better in required courses and C or better in electives. Three culminating experience options exist, and each requires 14 units: examination, project or thesis. The examination requires familiarity with literature in a research area. The project option involves developing a program for children or families with specialized methodologies. The thesis option demands specialized research methods to gather original data.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates secure positions as community college child development instructors and professionals in early childhood education, elementary education, special education or social services. The program qualifies you to teach early childhood coursework at community colleges and strengthens applications for doctoral programs in child development, developmental psychology and clinical psychology.
California State University, Long Beach – Ed.S. in School Psychology
School Overview
California State University, Long Beach awards the Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology, which is more advanced than a master’s degree based on 30 units. The program ranks #8 in the nation for scholarly productivity. Students maintain a 100% Praxis exam pass rate for five consecutive years. CSULB arranges with National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Professional Standards and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Pupil Personnel Services Program Standards.
Child Psychology Degree Program Details
This child psychology degree requires 60 units designed for completion in 3 years. The program has 2-3 years of full-time coursework at 9-12 units per semester. Classes meet weeknights from 4:00-6:45PM or 7:00-9:45PM. The curriculum emphasizes an eco-behavioral model that focuses on adjusting learning environments and modifying interventions to meet student needs. Students access the Community Clinic for early hands-on experience with assessments and counseling starting in the first year.
Admission Requirements
You need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.00 GPA in your last degree. The GRE is not required. Applications open October 1, 2025, with a December 1, 2025 Cal State Apply deadline and December 12, 2025 MyCED deadline. Your application requires a 3-4 page statement of purpose and resume. Two recommendations are submitted through MyCED.
Practicum and Internship Requirements
You complete 450 hours of practicum and a 1200-hour internship. PreK-12 school settings must account for at least 1000 hours, with at least 600 hours in settings serving 50% or more ethnically, culturally, racially, economically, or linguistically diverse students. Practicum and fieldwork require availability during K-12 school hours from 8:00AM-3:00PM. You must get a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing before completing fieldwork.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates work in PreK-12 educational settings and provide direct and indirect social-emotional, behavior, and academic supports to children and youth. You qualify for the California Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Psychology. Completing the program with a passing score on the National School Psychology Examination allows you to get certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).
Choose Your Program Today
California’s child psychology masters programs offer something for every career path. You might pursue clinical practice, educational leadership, or research. Each of the eight programs brings unique strengths, from UCLA’s research-intensive PhD track to CSUN’s culturally responsive evening program for working professionals. Your choice should line up with your specific career goals and preferred learning format.
Does completing one of these programs guarantee career success? Not at all. Your dedication to practical experience, research involvement, and professional networking matters just as much as the degree itself. These programs are the foundations of your career, but you’re responsible for building on that knowledge through hands-on application and continued professional growth.