Child and Adolescent Psychology Careers

With a degree in child and adolescent psychology, whether undergraduate or graduate, you can find roles in clinical, school, and private practice settings.

Child and adolescent psychologists work not only with children and adolescents but also with infants and toddlers, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Juli Fraga, Psy.D., who specializes in parenting and women’s health, adds that they also “study, assess, and treat various mental health challenges experienced by children and adolescents.”

These professionals use psychological science to provide evidence-based mental health services to young people in need of care.

In this guide, we’ll break down available jobs and salary details for various degree levels in child and adolescent psychology.

Below, you’ll find a list of jobs you can qualify for with a child and adolescent psychology degree, including roles in psychology, counseling, child development, and therapy. Educational requirements and salary data are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

As a marriage and family therapist, you’ll need a blend of active listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as a deep knowledge of relationship counseling.

Your responsibilities will include diagnosing and treating relationship-related behavioral challenges and counseling clients on relationship issues.

If you want to help students navigate their academic, personal, and career challenges, you may enjoy a career as a school counselor. You’ll work in schools, and the role requires advanced empathy, communication, and organizational skills.

This is why a master’s degree and state certification are required. Once educated and certified, you can guide students, helping them set academic goals and prepare for life after high school, whether for careers or college.

School psychologists typically have more education than school counselors: a doctorate in psychology or an education specialist (Ed.S.) degree, rather than just a master’s degree. They need advanced degrees to diagnose and treat mental health conditions in young students.

School psychologists must also obtain licensure before practicing. They also need counseling and diagnostic skills, which involve active listening, assessment, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Clinical and counseling psychologists work in clinical, educational, and private practice settings to assess, diagnose, and help their clients navigate the challenges associated with mental health conditions.

As a clinical and counseling psychologist, you’ll advise people on coping strategies, help them create goals, and make treatment plans to help them meet those goals.

In order to practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, however, you’ll also need to earn a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology, as a master’s degree will not suffice.

As a psychologist, you’ll dedicate your time to studying and researching human behavior and mental processes. This role not only requires a doctorate in psychology but also solid analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. You’ll also need deep empathy and compassion to help clients manage stressful situations.

Marriage and family therapists are among the fastest-growing careers related to child and adolescent psychology. Employment for these professionals is projected to grow by 16% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average projected job growth rate of 4% across all occupations, according to the BLS.

Clinical and counseling psychologists also have a strong job outlook, with the BLS projecting employment for them to grow by 13% by 2033.

However, jobs in school settings — such as school psychologists (1%) and school and career counselors and advisors (4%) — are projected to grow at slower rates than some other psychology roles during the same time period, per the BLS. This slow growth may stem from an ongoing school counselor shortage, according to the National Education Association (NEA).

Marriage and family therapists, clinical and counseling psychologists, and psychologists are among the fastest-growing roles in the field of psychology, due in part to the rising awareness of mental health conditions and the increasing demand for care. “With a growing number of kids and adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, etc., we need more child therapists who can support them, as well as their families,” shares Fraga.

Marriage and family therapists are growing among the fastest, with the BLS projecting employment for them to grow by 16% from 2023 to 2033. Clinical and counseling psychologists (10%) and psychologists (7%) are also projected to experience faster-than-average job growth rates during the same time period, per the BLS.

For those looking to pursue a career in child and adolescent psychology, there are several different options at varying educational levels.

If you earn an associate degree in psychology, you can work as a psychiatric aide, youth counselor, social and human service assistant, or human resources assistant.

With a bachelor’s degree, you can find work as a case manager, social and human services manager, or human resources manager. “You can work with children, perhaps at a child care center or as an assistant preschool teacher,” adds Fraga, “but you can not do psychotherapy of any sort.”

A master’s degree helps you qualify for roles in school counseling, marriage and family therapy, and rehabilitation counseling.

A doctorate enables you to qualify for licensed psychology roles, such as a clinical or counseling psychologist, and academic positions like psychology professor.