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Reduce Your Tuition by $3,000
Enroll in a qualified program, apply for a $3K scholarship, and meet the eligibility requirements.
Classes Start June 3rd
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
$50 application fee (waived w/promo SPRING)
What you’ll learn
Gain Deep Understanding
Research and evaluate sources of knowledge, theory, and best
practices within child development.
Analyze & Evaluate
Critically examine the scientific and practical value of research and
literature pertaining to child and adolescent development.
Communicate Effectively
Enhance your ability to communicate knowledge, theory, and best
practices.
Be an Ethical Leader
Apply ethical and best professional practice principles to your work
with children, adolescents, and families.
Honor Diversity
Recognize, value, and respect cultural and ethnic diversity among
children, adolescents, and their families.
MS in Child and Adolescent Development Program Features
Our program offers additional benefits you might be interested in.
Scholar-Practitioner Faculty
All our faculty members hold doctorates and bring years of
experience, as well as the latest theories and practices to
students.
Relevant & Applicable
Our competency-based learning model allows you to immediately apply
valuable skills to the work you do every day.
An Extra-Flexible Schedule
Thanks to FlexPath, you can earn your degree on your own schedule, at
your own pace, potentially saving you time and money.
Professionally Credible, Professionally Aligned
This specialization is built upon core foundational psychology
coursework to ensure professional credibility. It's designed to help
prepare you to work with and support the growth and development of
children and adolescents.
Cost & learning format
Online education isn’t one-size-fits-all. We know you’re busy—you
need a learning experience tailored to your life, not the other way
around. Capella has learning and tuition formats to suit you, however
you learn.
Our original learning format offers extra structure for those who
want it. We'll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$19,400–$26,675*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS
$485 per credit,
55 total quarter credits,
15 max transfer credits
Our self-paced learning format lets you take courses at your own
speed, moving onto the next course when you're ready.
- Take unlimited courses (up to two at a time) per 12-week billing session
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per session*
$10,800–$21,600*
ACCELERATED PACE–TYPICAL PACE
$2,700 per 12-week billing session,
27.5 total program points,
8 max transfer points
*This is only an estimate, using general program
pricing. Your price may be higher or lower depending on
your specialization, transfer credits, tuition discounts, and (in
FlexPath) the speed at which you move through the program. Fees,
including application fees and resource kits, are not included in
this estimate. The GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay
if you brought in the average number of transfer credits or the
maximum allowed transfer credits. The FlexPath prices show the
tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of
transfer credits and you moved at the speed of a typical FlexPath
student or as quickly as the fastest FlexPath students (90th
percentile). New or recently revised programs base their estimate on
comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is not
available for FlexPath.
Get the details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Ways to save
At Capella, we believe your education is an investment in your future. It’s also an investment within your grasp. Your goals are achievable—there are more ways to save than you might think.
10% military discount
If you're an active-duty military service member, spouse, or veteran, discounts may be available.
Transfer credits
We can accept many transfer credits from regionally accredited schools.
Employer & association discounts
If your employer or organization is a partner with Capella, you may be eligible for a tuition discount.
Enjoy the Convenience & Flexibility of Online Learning
Access your engaging, online learning environment anytime, anywhere, with any device, and set your own schedule while meeting deadlines.
Accredited & recognized
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet
standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and
fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
Master's in Child and Adolescent Development Sample Courses
Curriculum in Capella’s online master’s in psychology, child and
adolescent development program focuses on prenatal, child, and
adolescent development, physical and mental health, and social and
educational issues in child and adolescent development.
| PSY6010 |
Human Prenatal Development
This course provides learners with an overview of prenatal and
postnatal development through the first three months of life. Learners
analyze genetic and reproductive technology and articulate its impact
on families and society. Learners review and demonstrate their
knowledge of the stages of prenatal development (embryonic and fetal),
focusing specifically on brain development and fetal life. In
addition, learners examine various prenatal illnesses and physical
problems resulting from birth complications. The course presents
research, theory, and best practices related to promoting healthy
newborn and infant development. |
5 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY6020 * |
Topics in Child and Adolescent Development
Learners in this course critically evaluate and apply theory and
research to child and adolescent development issues and current
topics. Learners analyze the impact of policy and legislation in areas
such as education, health, mental health, the military, media, and the
economy on child and adolescent developmental outcomes and advocate
for issues related to policy and legislation that improve the lives of
children and adolescents.
Prerequisite(s): PSY6010; PSY7220 or PSY7230.
|
5 quarter credits |
| PSY7210 |
Lifespan Development
In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of lifespan
development from infancy through adulthood, including human
development processes and milestones. Learners evaluate theories and
approaches for examining human development and analyze human
development processes related to their specialization. |
5 quarter credits |
| PSY7220 |
Child Psychology
In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the
developmental stages of children from the prenatal period to
adolescence. Learners examine how children develop physically,
emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and evaluate and articulate
the influences of family, society, and culture on child and adolescent
development. Learners also assess children’s evolving needs and apply
theory and research to recommend appropriate responses to those
needs. |
5 quarter credits |
| PSY7230 |
Adolescent Psychology
In this course, learners gain and apply knowledge of the
developmental stages from early adolescence to emerging adulthood.
Learners evaluate and articulate the physical, psychosocial,
emotional, sexual, moral, and cognitive changes associated with
adolescent development and examine the ways in which adolescent
development is influenced by family, society, and culture. Learners
also assess the evolving needs of adolescents and apply theory and
research in order to recommend appropriate responses to those
needs. |
5 quarter credits |
Faculty & support
You’re never going it alone at Capella. Our dedicated faculty and support teams are waiting to guide, help, and
advise you through every step of your educational journey.
Enrollment counselors
These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree and program, and answer all your questions about Capella.
Advisors
Advisors know the details of your program. Got questions about courses? Instructors? Resources? Advisors have answers.
Faculty
Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have hands-on expertise in their fields. They know what you need to know today.
Career center
For this team, it's more than resumes and interview tips. It's about thoughtful and strategic career planning—beyond graduation.
Child Development Career Insights
What Is Child and Adolescent Development?
Society, family, and culture all play a role in the development of
children and adolescents.
Understanding the Differences Between Clinical and Non-Clinical Psychology
Learn how licensure, education methods, and workplaces differ in
clinical vs. non-clinical psychology.
Which Psychology Career Path Is Best for Me?
A visual guide to help you find a career in psychology that fits your
personal and professional ambitions.
MS in Child and Adolescent Development Professional Paths
Here are just some of the career options you could explore with our
online master's in psychology, child and adolescent development
degree.
Related Job Titles to Explore*
- Adjunct or part-time faculty
- Before/after school program director
- Child care center manager
- Child development specialist
- Child life specialist
- Child protective services manager
- Child/youth program director
- Consultant
- Early childhood education specialist
- Instructor
- Intervention advocate
- Research assistant
Related Employment Settings to Explore
- Child and family service agency
- Community college
- Early childhood education program
- Government—local, state federal
- Group home
- Health care
- Law enforcement
- Nonprofit organization
- Religious organization
- Social service agency
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some
positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure,
certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because
many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella
cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a
promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you
to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Other programs to explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit?
The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one
that suits your academic and professional goals.