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Find master's programs that teach developmental psychology

A master's in developmental psychology can lead to licensure and help you qualify for more jobs. Explore program profiles, career paths, and more.

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Why earn an online MS in developmental psychology?

Specialize your psychology knowledge

A master's in developmental psychology can help you establish yourself as a specialist.

Qualify for doctoral programs

Applicants with a master's can qualify for doctoral programs.

Enjoy flexible schedules

Online learning allows for greater flexibility and can make balancing school with your outside life easier.


An online master's in developmental psychology can qualify you to enroll in a doctoral program or enter the workforce in specialized roles. Learn about the degree and where it may lead.

Browse online psychology programs that cover developmental psychology

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Choose your path with a range of completion options and class times.
Equivalent to on-campus
Earn the same degree and complete the same curriculum as on-campus students.

What is developmental psychology?

Developmental psychology studies the stages of growth and development that people experience throughout their lives. It explores various elements such as cognition, emotions, personality development and change, and social growth.

While undergraduate psychology programs cover these topics, master's programs offer students deeper, more advanced training. They also offer niche concentrations, which can make it easier for you to pursue specific interests.

What can I do with a master's in developmental psychology?

Students who complete a master's in developmental psychology go on to enroll in doctoral programs as they work toward becoming licensed psychologists qualified for clinical practice. However, you can also enter the workforce directly with a master's degree or pursue other professional licenses.

Common employment settings for developmental psychology professionals include:

  • Higher education
  • Healthcare institutions
  • K-12 schools
  • Public and community agencies

These professionals can also pursue roles in private-sector enterprises that require an advanced understanding of human cognition, emotions, growth, and development.

Some of the roles you could pursue include:

  • Behavioral therapist or school counselor (state licensure required)
  • Caseworker
  • Early childhood or adult education specialist (state licensure may be required)
  • Research assistant or psychometrician

Earning a master's degree in developmental psychology can also help you pursue a career in social work. However, you may need an additional or specially accredited social work degree, depending on your state's licensing rules.

Explore salary expectations

The salary you could earn with a developmental psychology master's degree depends on your role, experience, and location.

For a general idea of salary expectations, consider this data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and O*NET Online:

Jobs for developmental psychology graduates
Job titleMedian annual salary (May 2023)
Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor$53,710
Social science research assistant$56,400
School counselor$61,710

You can increase your earning potential by pursuing a doctoral degree and becoming a licensed psychologist. According to the BLS, psychologists earned a median annual salary of $92,740 per year as of May 2023.

What can you learn in a graduate developmental psychology program?

Colleges and universities configure their developmental psychology graduate programs in multiple ways. You can earn a master of science (MS) or master of arts (MA) in developmental psychology, or a master of education (MEd) with a developmental psychology concentration.

MS programs emphasize quantitative research, MA programs focus more on qualitative elements, and MEd programs provide aspiring educators gain targeted training.

MS and MA programs typically cover 30 to 36 credits, but some have more rigorous academic requirements. They usually require about two years of full-time study to complete.

Many schools offer concentration options in areas such as:

  • Adolescent development
  • Aging and gerontology
  • Childhood development
  • Cognitive development
  • Developmental psychopathology

Consider a concentration if it matches your personal interests, learning objectives, or career plans.

Learn about admissions requirements

Schools set admissions standards individually, and their standards vary. That said, you can generally expect the following requirements:

  • A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
  • Undergraduate coursework in research methods, quantitative analysis, and human development

Some schools consider applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree in psychology. In these cases, a degree in a related field, such as educational psychology or human development, may improve your chances of gaining entry to the program.

Qualification standards may also depend on your chosen concentration or degree designation. For example, an MEd program with a developmental psychology focus may prefer or require that you have academic or professional experience in education.

Discover common developmental psychology courses

Master's programs in developmental psychology include core and elective courses, along with culminating experiences such as a capstone or thesis. The following sample curriculum offers examples from each of these categories:

  • Development across the human lifespan: This course examines the foundational principles of developmental psychology and how they impact people at various stages of life.
  • Research methods: This course teaches students about best practices for designing, conducting, interpreting, and analyzing research. You can expect to learn about both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • Language development: This course explores the mental and physical processes of language and speech acquisition and development. Schools may offer similar courses in cognition, learning, socialization, personality formation, or other areas.
  • Fieldwork, internship, or practicum: Many developmental psychology programs include field training components that help you apply your knowledge to real-world settings. These components may be required or elective and may need to be completed in person, even if your program is otherwise fully online.
  • Thesis or capstone: In this culminating experience, you will develop an original work of developmental psychology scholarship. These projects can help you synthesize the knowledge you gained throughout your program.

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