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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a bachelor’s in child and adolescent psychology, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in child and adolescent psychology programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Brandman University, Irvine, CA

Brandman University is a private, nonprofit school. With more than 25 campuses in California and Washington, Brandman has more than 80 online and blended programs designed for working professionals and military members. The institution has a 120-credit BA in psychology with a concentration in child psychology entirely online and in a blended format, which includes evening classes available at ten campuses.

The bachelor’s in psychology requires 42 general education credits, 33 core psychology credits, and 15 credits in the child psychology concentration. Core classes introduce learners to psychological theories, subfields in psychology, research methods, and scientific writing. Learners also take a capstone class. Concentration classes, such as child development and pediatric neuropsychology, prepare graduates to work with children with disabilities and other developmental challenges. The degree program emphasizes the application of psychological theories to professional practice.

Brandman has undergraduate online and blended classes six times per year. Online learners can access resources and supports, including academic advisers, counseling services, and career services. Candidates must have at least 12 transferable undergraduate credits from a regionally sanctioned institution and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Since learners normally enter the degree program with previous credits, many learners graduate in fewer than four years.

2. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University has a fully online BS in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology that prepares learners to serve the needs of children while working from a Christian viewpoint. Most learners finish the 120 required credits in four years or fewer. Learners get a foundation in psychological theory, research, and practice. Liberty also requires classwork in biblical principles.

Learners earning the child psychology degree online finish 39 to 42 general education credits and 15 to 27 elective credits. Major requirements consist of 3–12 credits of foundational classwork, including biology and statistics, 36 credits of core classes, and 15 credits in developmental psychology across the lifespan. Learners investigate human development theories; learn about brain function; and become familiar with the psychological, sociological, and environmental factors that can influence child development. Psychology learners also finish a three-credit internship.

Candidates must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and Liberty learners must maintain the same GPA during their studies. Liberty grants tuition discounts to military members, veterans, and their spouses, along with first responders. The school offers free electronic textbooks to all undergraduate learners.

Learners must earn at least half of the required major credits at Liberty. Online learners access eight-week, asynchronous classes via Blackboard, and Liberty has eight start dates per year.

3. Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA

Established in 1987, Bay Path University is an independent women’s college in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Bay Path was the first college in the US to offer a fully online bachelor’s degree for women, and the institution currently offers more than 20 online and blended accelerated degrees. Learners pursuing a degree in a blended format finish classes online and at one of Bay Path’s four campuses.

Bay Path has an online bachelor of arts in child psychology. Most learners earn a degree in one to three and half years, depending on how many transfer and prior learning credits they obtain. Learners can transfer in a maximum of 90 of the 120 required credits. Bay Path supports online learners through data analytics and individualized instruction and coaching. Learners earning the child psychology degree online finish accelerated, six-week classes.

The degree program prepares learners for careers working with children. The coursework introduces learners to the psychological, physical, emotional, and social factors that impact child development. Learners also investigate the crucial roles of parents, families, and schools. Learners finish 13 required psychology classes, including classes in child development, child psychopathology, early interventions, and parenting. During a required senior class, psychology in the field, learners investigate career options and network with professionals.

Candidates must either have at least 12 transferable credits or write a short essay. Candidates must also consult with an admissions counselor and finish a free online application.

4. East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

ETSU has an online BA and BS programs in psychology, each with an available concentration in child psychological science. The programs deliver classwork primarily online, with some required on-campus meetings. Psychology majors concentrating in child psychological science also earn a minor in early childhood education and development.

Along with general education requirements, psychology majors finish 32 credits in core classes, including social psychology, abnormal psychology, and research design and analysis. Child psychology classes cover areas like cognitive growth, psychosocial growth, and psychopathology. Learners also study concepts connected to language development, assessment of young children, and divorce. Graduating seniors must pass an institution exit exam and a psychology exit exam.

Learners normally earn their BA or BS in four years, and ETSU has discounted tuition rates to exclusively online learners; in-state and out-of-state online learners pay the same rates. ETSU has classes two or three times per trimester. ETSU accepts transfer credits, but learners must earn at least 50 of the 120 required credits via a four-year college and at least 30 credits with ETSU.

Freshman candidates must submit ACT or SAT scores and must have a minimum 2.3 GPA. The GPA requirement for transfer learners varies according to the number of transferable credits.

5. Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Established in 1977, Keiser boasts additional locations across Florida and an online division. The institution provides adaptable day, evening, and online classes to more than 18,000 learners. The nonprofit, independent school has more than 100 degrees, including a BA in psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology. Learners can finish the 120-credit, four-year degree program online.

Learners earning the child psychology bachelor’s degree online finish 36 credits of general education classes. They also take 30 credits of core psychology classwork and 21 credits of developmental psychology classes. Concentration classes cover concepts, including adolescent psychology, positive psychology, and sports psychology. Learners also finish a concentration capstone class. Psychology majors investigate the principles of psychological research with an emphasis on the ethical use of human subjects.

Candidates must have a combined SAT score of at least 910, a composite ACT score of at least 17, or a passing score on the institution entrance exam. Keiser holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and accepts transfer credits from other regionally sanctioned institutions.

Distance learners take one, four-week class at a time, which enables Keiser to offer monthly degree program start dates. Psychology learners must finish the final 25 percent of the degree program at Keiser. The institution offers focused benefits and services for military members.