BA in Psychology, Child Psychology Concentration

This program is designed for students interested in psychology, focusing on working with all children; especially those with various developmental challenges.

Child Psychology Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with the Child Psychology Concentration delves into the development, learning and current treatment options for children with autism and other disabilities. It addresses child development from biological, evolutionary, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, sociocultural and humanistic perspectives and provides applied courses on enhancing child development and learning.

As a student, you will:

  • Connect psychological theory to real-life situations.
  • Understand the psychological developmental process of a child.
  • Learn behavioral models to enhance the daily living of children and their families.
  • Understand and apply the major theories related child development.

Next Session

Spring I (Jan 6, 2025)

Estimated Tuition

$500/Credit

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Ways to Learn

Online

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Imagine Your Future In Psychology: Child Psychology

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    All of my instructors inspired me. They were working in the field as well as teaching, so the stories they shared made it relatable and attainable. The staff and faculty are all very positive and provide motivation for the students.
    Quinton J.
    BA, Psychology
    The professors realized I have a life and wanted to pursue my dreams. They didn’t make me feel like I had to choose between family and school. They made me feel like I could be successful in both.
    Dominique H.
    BA, Psychology
    The counseling program prepared me for my surprise career in behavioral health by providing me with a strong background and practical experience in counseling techniques and a strong skill set in research and critical thinking—key in building a leadership career.
    Robert P.
    MA, Professional Clinical Counseling
    WSCUC

    University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

    Admission Requirements

    Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

    0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • High school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

    12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
    • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
    active military?

    Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

    Transcripts

    Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

    HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>

    BA in Psychology Program Curriculum

    • Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

       

      Code Course Name Credits
      Basic Skills 12
      ENGU103 Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric 3
      ENGU 104 Written Communication II: Writing About Literature 3
      MATU 103 Applied Mathematics 3
      COMU 101 Public Speaking 1 3

      		Quantitative reasoning 3

      		Oral communication 3
      Breadth Requirements 24
      Humanities Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies 9
      Natural Sciences Select 6 credits 6
      Social Sciences Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology 9
      Liberal Education Foundations 6
      LBSU 302 Information Fluency and Academic Integrity 3
      LBSU 304 Liberal Arts Core Foundations 3
      Total Credits 42

    • Code Course Name Credits
      PSYU 101 Introduction to Psychology

      3
      MATU 203 Introduction to Statistics

      3
      PSYU 301 Scientific Writing in Behavioral Social Sciences

      3
      PSYU 304 Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences

      3
      PSYU 306 Critical Thinking

      3
      PSYU 320 Human Development across the Lifespan

      3
      PSYU 328 Abnormal Psychology

      3
      PSYU 333 Physiological Psychology

      3
      PSYU 336 Social Psychology

      3
      PSYU 351 History and Systems of Psychology

      3
      PSYU 421 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 
      PSYU 480 Psychology Capstone

      3
      Core Foundation in Psychological Science Subtotal

      36
      Concentration

      15
      Students will select a concentration from the options below. *

       
      Concentration Subtotal

      15
      Total Credits

      48

    • The child psychology concentration is designed for students interested in working with all children with a specific emphasis on children with various developmental challenges. The Child Psychology Concentration provides students with a greater depth of study in child development, learning, and current treatment options for children with autism and other disabilities. It addresses child development from biological, evolutionary, behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, sociocultural, and humanistic perspectives and provides applied courses on how to enhance child development and learning.

      Code Course Name Credits
      PSYU 323 Child Development

      3
      PSYU 398 Pediatric Neuropsychology

      3
      PSYU 464 Applied Behavioral Analysis

      3
      PSYU 466 Preferred Behavior Enhancement

      3
      Total Credits

      12

    Ways to Get Started

    Meet Our Faculty

    Karina Bravo, Ph.D., LMFT

    arts-sciences

    Karina S. Bravo, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Psychology

    Specialty

    Marriage and Family Therapy

    Parenting

    Early Childhood Mental Health
    Marnie_Elam

    arts-sciences

    Marnie Elam, Ph.D

    Professor of Psychology and Curriculum Academic Committee Chair

    Specialty

    Psychology

    Marriage and Family Therapy

    Professional Clinical Counseling
    Jenny Good

    arts-sciences

    Jennifer Good, Psy.D.

    Associate Professor of Psychology and Vice Chair of Psychology Programs

    Specialty

    Psychology

    Older Adults

    Depression and Anxiety
    Jennifer Hayes PhD headshot in black and white

    arts-sciences

    Jennifer Hayes, Ph.D., LMFT, RPT-S

    Assistant Professor of Psychology

    Specialty

    Marriage and Family Therapy

    Professional Clinical Counseling

    Psychology

    Complex Trauma
    All arts & sciences faculty

    Want More Information About Psychology and Counseling?

    Explore career opportunities in these helping professions and discover a path that fits your future.

    Psychology Resources

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    Learn more about UMass Global and how we can support you in achieving your goals.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Browse through frequently asked questions about psychology and counseling.

    Child Psychology

    Why is child psychology important?

    Child psychology helps serve the population who need help the most – our young people. ADHD, anxiety and behavior disorders are among the most common disorders that can be diagnosed during childhood, but not all children, or parents, have the resources to address them. See the stats and more.

    What is better: A BS or BA in Psychology?

    Both are useful but have different areas of focus. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology is very versatile and can open up career opportunities in fields like social work, criminal justice and child psychology, while a Bachelor of Science (BS) typically prepares you for more research-based and clinical work.  

    Mental Health Therapy

    How do you become a mental health therapist?

    The two most common fields of study are psychology and social work. You'll need a master's degree in a mental health-related field such as an MFT. Licensure can require 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, along with continuing education courses and specified exams. More info
    All Psychology FAQs

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