Child Psychology

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Our M.S.Ed. in Child Psychology graduate program will prepare you to pursue a rewarding career as an educational advocate for children. This 30-credit program includes curriculum to enhance paraprofessional mental health services provided to children in community and school settings. While our Child Psychology master's degree does not lead to the professional practice of school psychology, other options to advance your career are available to you through this program.


Students in the Child Psychology program who hold certain certificates through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) can meet Autism Endorsement criteria through the selection of electives.

Students of our Child Psychology program can also meet the Pennsylvania Behavior Specialist License criteria and can take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Verified Course Sequence.

As a Behavioral Specialist, you will:

  • Develop and implement functional behavior intervention plans for identified students
  • Establish intervention plans for the purpose of providing safe and effective environments for individuals with challenging behaviors
  • Become an expert in coordinating child abuse and neglect cases while complying with mandated reporting requirements
  • Become a leader in the protocols of the Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for students with disabilities

Also, as a graduate of our 30-credit Master's of Science in Education in Child Psychology program, you have the option to apply for our School of Education's Psy.D. School Psychology and Ph.D. School Psychology programs.

The first 30 credits of our doctoral programs consist of the M.S.Ed. Child Psychology curriculum. Depending on eligibility, applicants who are accepted into one of these doctoral programs, who have completed the M.S.Ed. Child Psychology program at Duquesne, and who are within the Statute of Limitations, may be able to have the 30 credits from their M.S.Ed. Child Psychology program transferred to their doctoral degree.

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Student Perspective

"The rigorous curriculum challenges me to expand my thinking beyond the classroom and envision real-world settings in which I will be able to pursue my passion of helping children to flourish."

Sally Shriver, M.S.Ed. Child Psychology Student

 

Resources for Current Students

Program Information

Our M.S.Ed. in Child Psychology program will prepare you to pursue a rewarding career as an educational advocate for children and can be a pathway to eligibility for Autism Endorsement, the Behavior Specialist Licensure, or application to doctoral studies in our School Psychology programs.

Degree

Master's

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

2-year

Required Credit Hours

30

Curriculum

Course Credits Semester Offered
GPSY 511  Psychology of Learning  3 Spring 
GPSY 512  Psychology Testing  3 Spring/Fall
GPSY 619 Child and Adolescent Development 3 Fall 
GREV 510  Statistics I * 3 Fall
GREV 500  Statistics in Behavioral Research* 3 Summer
GCNE 549 Multicultural Issues and Strategies in Counseling 3 Fall 
GPSY 694 Topics in Abnormal Child Behavior 3 Spring
GSPE 653  Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 3 Spring
GPSY 515 Classroom Discipline and Behavior Management  3 Summer
GPSY 662 Learning Disabilities  3 Summer
Elective 3 Dependent upon course choice

*Either GREV 510 or GREV 500 may be taken.

 

 

Application Process

Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA*

*Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.

International Applicants

TOEFL/IELTS

Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants.

Score Requirements

The University requires the following minimum scores in each area to be considered for admission: TOEFL minimum of 80 (iBT - internet based) with no sub-score less than 17, or 550 on the paper-based test; IELTS minimum score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.5 for Reading, 5.5 for Writing, 5.5 for Speaking, and 6.0 for Listening. Have these scores ready to insert into the online application. Additionally, the English as a Second Language program conducts a review of each matriculated student upon arrival to determine individual needs for English instruction to support success in their chosen degree program.

Transcript Credit Evaluation

If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

  • Fall Semester Admission: August 1
  • Spring Semester Admission: December 1
  • Summer Semester Admission: May 1

 

Materials

Process

When  your transcripts  are ready (all applicants), and  if you are an international student your TOEFL/IELTS/Transcript Credit Evaluation are ready -  then, must complete Duquesne University's Online Application 

Each application will then be reviewed to determine if minimum GPA standards have been met. Admissions decisions are mailed to applicants

Send official application materials to:

OR

  • Duquesne University School of Education
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    214A Canevin Hall
    600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Early Start Program - Child Psychology, M.S.Ed.

Undergraduate students across the University can start graduate studies in the M.S.Ed. Child Psychology program. During your junior or senior year, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program at the undergraduate tuition rate.

Connect with us to learn more and we will walk you through the application process. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.

 

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Child Psychology

Audrey Czwalga

Assistant to the Program Director