Studying child psychology in Maryland has its advantages. On the one hand, despite being a geographically small state, Maryland boasts more than four dozen colleges and universities. This gives you a wide range of options for getting your graduate degree in child psychology.
But, because of Maryland’s size and location, excellent child psychology programs are within easy reach just across the state’s borders. Washington, D.C., for example, is in close proximity and offers some of the most prestigious universities in the nation.
Of course, getting experience in this field is crucial, which you can do at practicum and internship sites throughout the state, in Washington, D.C., and in neighboring areas, too. Each program listed below provides opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.
Child Psychology Programs in Maryland
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering child psychology graduate programs in Maryland:
- The University of Maryland
- The University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Capella University
- Towson University
- Grand Canyon University
- Howard University
The University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is the state’s premier public university. With nearly 41,000 students, it’s also the state’s largest institution of higher learning. As such, U of M has a large selection of academic programs. In fact, the university has a dozen academic colleges and schools that offer more than 100 bachelor’s degree programs, over 100 master’s degree programs, and more than 80 doctoral-level programs.
One of the best features of this university is that many of its programs are recognized as being among the best in the nation. The university itself ranks highly, too. U.S. News and World Report ranks Maryland in the top 20 national public universities. U of M also ranks in the top 15 among the best global schools.
No matter if you attend U of M in person or online, you’ll benefit from the school’s commitment to providing a quality, well-rounded education.
Child Psychology Program Information
The University of Maryland’s Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology requires 72 credits to graduate. The curriculum is divided into several areas, including departmental requirements, focus area requirements, and research.
The program’s first two years focus mostly on departmental and focus area coursework. This includes classes like:
- Neurobiology of Behavior
- Social Psychology
- Child Psychopathology
- Psychophysiological Processes in Human Development
- Advanced Motor Development
The research component is twofold: a master’s thesis or equivalent research project and a dissertation. Both research components require detailed and thorough independent research under the mentorship of a faculty member.
In addition to coursework and research, you must also pass a comprehensive examination prior to graduation. All told, this program takes about five years to complete, provided you enter the program at the bachelor’s degree level. This program also prepares you for psychology licensure in Maryland.
You must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply. You must also submit the following:
- A $75 application fee
- Transcripts that show all undergraduate and graduate work
- Three letters of recommendation
- A personal statement that espouses your goals, experiences, and research interests
- TOEFL scores (if English is not your native language)
The University of Maryland Baltimore County
The University of Maryland Baltimore County was founded in 1966 and is a member of the University of Maryland System. UMBC got its start in part because of the Baby Boom after World War II – the campus was intended to improve access to higher education for that generation. Since then, UMBC has continued that commitment to providing high-quality, easily accessible education.
Today, UMBC boasts a student body of nearly 14,000 students, of which more than 50 percent identify as a minority. In addition to a thriving and diverse campus, UMBC offers more than 100 degrees and programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
No matter your specific major, you will enjoy rigorous coursework from a school that’s a recognized leader in academics and research.
Child Psychology Program Information
The Applied Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County offers three distinct tracks to prepare you to conduct research in the developmental psychology field. These tracks include:
- Early Development/Early Intervention
- Socioemotional Development of Children within and across Cultures
- Educational Contexts of Development
In each case, you must complete at least 76 credits to graduate. Unlike other Ph.D. programs in this field, this one does not require field experiences. Instead, it’s a research-focused program with a dissertation component that enables you to explore a specific topic of interest in developmental psychology.
As an applied program, you will also learn how developmental psychology and applied science intersect. You will explore crucial questions about human development, socialization, and cultural considerations. In fact, this program produces many graduates that go on to work with cultural minorities, inner-city youth, and lower-income populations.
You can apply to this program online. You should have a bachelor’s degree or higher or be in progress of a degree prior to applying. When applying, you must submit GRE general scores, GRE Psychology Advanced Test scores, and a supplementary psychology application form.
Towson University
Towson University got its start in 1866 as Maryland’s first teacher college. The school’s location near Washington, D.C., made it a popular option for aspiring teachers to attend. Today, Towson’s reach extends far beyond Maryland and the D.C. metro area. The student body is extremely diverse, with students from all corners of the U.S. and the world attending classes on campus.
Towson has the advantage of being in close proximity to many large government agencies, corporations, and businesses. As a prospective psychology student, there are many opportunities for practicum and internship placements. Not only that, but the variety of possible placements means you can tailor your field experiences to your specific areas of interest.
Child Psychology Program Information
Towson’s Master of Arts in School Psychology is unique in that you also earn a Certificate of Advanced Study, which focuses your learning on advanced techniques in assessment, intervention, and consultation.
Your studies focus on critical areas of school psychology, such as evaluating children for mental and emotional problems, providing individual counseling to students, and providing consultative services to administrators, teachers, and family members. This 30-credit program follows the cohort model, so you will proceed through your courses with the same classmates. Some of the courses you will take include:
- Social-Emotional Behavioral Assessment
- Role of the School Psychologist
- Counseling Techniques
- Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Advanced Multicultural Psychology
In addition to coursework, you must also complete two practicum and four internship experiences. These field placements enable you to work directly with children and adolescents in a school environment. There, you can hone your skills and deepen your understanding of school psychologists’ role in fostering children’s development.
You can apply today, so long as you have an undergraduate degree with 21 or more credits in psychology. Your psychology credits must have been completed with a C or higher, and you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Additionally, you must submit three letters of recommendation and a letter of intent that outlines why you wish to pursue this degree.
Howard University
Though Howard University isn’t in Maryland, its location just across the river in Washington, D.C., makes it an easily accessible option for Maryland residents. The school was founded in 1867 after the conclusion of the Civil War. As a Historically Black College and University, Howard has been instrumental in helping African-American students prepare for future careers.
Initially, Howard was nothing more than a single building. However, the university has grown extensively over the years and now has a large main campus in addition to satellite campuses throughout the region. The school is best known for its law and medical schools, but with 12 other schools and colleges, the university provides many other opportunities for students to advance their education.
Child Psychology Program Information
Howard’s Clinical Psychology Ph.D. is a program that prepares you for any number of careers. You can focus on psychological research, clinical applications, or academic applications of psychology, to name a few.
Likewise, there is a child clinical psychology track that is the best option if you wish to work in child psychology. This track requires 72 credits to graduate, which takes about five years of full-time, on-campus studies to complete. There are several components to this program, including:
- Required coursework
- Clinical experiences
- A qualifying examination
- Research
- A final examination
Furthermore, you must pass Howard’s Graduate School writing proficiency requirement and the Graduate School’s Responsible Conduct of Research requirement.
Arguably the most important aspect of this program are the field experiences, which is an area of particular strength for Howard. The university has partnerships with esteemed clinical training sites throughout the region, including the National Children’s Medical Center and the National Institute of Health.
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. When applying, submit the following in support of your candidacy:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from each college or university you’ve attended
- A 500-1,000-word statement of purpose
- A critical writing sample
- A 500-750-word autobiographical statement
- A resume or curriculum vitae
Child Psychology Work Opportunities in Maryland
As noted in the introduction, Maryland is unique in that it has many opportunities for psychology students both within its borders and in nearby states. The same is true of jobs in this field.
For example, Washington, D.C., offers many employment opportunities for people with expertise in child psychology. You might open a private practice in the nation’s capital and cater to children with specific developmental disorders and their families. Alternatively, as a school psychologist in Maryland, you might focus on school psychology and work in one of D.C.’s public or private schools.
Of course, Maryland has many opportunities for child psychologists, too. You might live and work in Baltimore and specialize in providing clinical services to seriously emotionally disturbed youth. Another option might be to work in community mental health and provide much-needed counseling services to low-income parents and their children.
Some child psychologists work in a consultative role, too. For example, you might lend your expertise to local, state, or federal agencies that oversee programs and services for children, like the Department of Health and Human Services or the Maryland State Department of Education. These types of careers are available nationwide as well.
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