Clinical Child Psychology Career

Why Choose a Clinical Child Psychology Career?

Do you love children? Are you patient, compassionate, and able to build effective rapport with children? If the answer is affirmative, you could opt to be a teacher or a child psychologist. While a teacher works only in a school or a learning environment, a child psychologist can work with children in diverse settings such as clinics, pediatric hospitals, schools, development centers, and daycare centers, among others. A career in Child Psychology is not likely to see a downturn; it serves a requirement that is always going to be there, namely, catering to the needs of the young ones so that they grow up healthy in mind and body.

Clinical Child Psychology Career Requirements

While it is true that a degree in Child Psychology achieved in campus schools or online programs will assist you in getting any job that deals with children, it is also true that this course of study has wide application in a diverse range of careers. An aspirant with an understanding of the way children think and interact is very desirable to employers. In this perspective, the study of Child Psychology becomes the career requirement for a number of jobs that are grounded in the study of the human mind and human behavior. Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior and this knowledge finds application in a wide range of endeavors. Fields that stand to benefit from the domain include health and human services, management, education, law, and sports. In addition to a variety of work settings, psychologists prefer to specialize in different areas. For instance, Clinical Psychologists work in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics; Developmental Psychologists specialize in behavior specific to different ages from infancy to old age.

Online Degrees for Clinical Child Psychology

Academically, all levels of educational credentials are available for those aspiring to become Child Psychologists. An online bachelor's degree in psychology includes the basic principles of psychology with regard to child development, including the study of traditional theorists, such as Freud and Piaget. Some coursework in child psychology may include academic study of pharmacology. A master's degree program includes specific coursework and internship requirements, and some schools even allow students to practice along with their studies. A doctoral degree usually takes up to seven years of graduate study; it is required for most clinical or counseling psychologists. Similar to other doctoral programs, child psychology also requires demonstrating research skills in a written doctoral thesis. An education specialist degree is a common requirement for most psychologists who work in schools. The advertising domain also makes use of Child psychology knowledge.

Typically, coursework in Child Psychology includes Learning Strategies, Development of Children, Introduction to Child Psychology, Abnormal Psychology of Children, and the like. Theoretical and practical aspects of the psychology of children will be taught pertaining to the normal as well as the learning disabled child. You will begin to understand the particular needs of children and their way of perceiving and interacting with the world around them.

Clinical Child Psychology Career Fields

An online bachelor's degree in psychology can qualify you for various jobs:

• Psychologist Assistant
• Professional Psychologist
• Self-employed Psychologist
• Counselor
• School Psychologist
• Positions in clinics, pediatric hospitals, schools, development centers, and daycare centers

According to the U. S. Department of Labor Statistics, demand for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists will grow faster than average and competition will be intense for degree-holders.

The job involves helping children manage and overcome their emotional and psychological difficulties. To achieve this end, child-centered therapy methods are employed to work with children and their families. Some job responsibilities include:

• diagnosing and treating learning disabilities
• administering educational and IQ assessments
• addressing behavioral concerns
• evaluation of children or the collection of data in a clinical setting
• treatment of children with psychological disorders
• assessing IQ levels and analyzing how learning happens

The work environment for a Child Psychologist may be child development centers, clinics and daycare centers; it may also be a college or any other teaching establishment if you opt to be a teacher in the subject. Child psychologists must stay abreast of the latest research in treatment of children with psychological disorders. Continuing education is a necessity. Child psychologists may also prefer to work in support or supervision of social workers in a clinical setting. These psychologists are uniquely equipped to deal with childhood specific issues of emotional development, substance abuse and family issues.

As awareness of issues relating to a child’s mental health is growing, the need for Child Psychologists will increase with the coming years. Rapidly changing social dynamics mandate prevention of emotional disorders, substance abuse, and family problems through early intervention by the Child Psychologist. Increased marketing expenditures on youth who are seen as the prime drivers of the purchasing power also encompass the essential role that a Child Psychologist plays in effective and focused advertising.

What Degree Do I Need?

• Psychology & Mental Health
• Psychology & Behavior
• Public Policy and Administration