Child Psychology is the study and treatment of children with psychological disorders. Child psychologists use the most up-to-date research to treat children. Child psychologists also work in the company and supervision of social workers in clinical settings.

Child psychologists are specifically trained to understand and deal with childhood specific issues of emotional development, substance abuse and family issues. Child psychologists can also conduct scientific research and provide psychological services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents. Child psychologists can work in a wide variety of environments, including:

• daycare centers
• schools
• development centers
• clinics
• pediatric hospitals

Their duties include performing IQ and educational assessments, diagnosing and treating learning disabilities, and working with children and their families to manage behaviors. Child psychology is focused on understanding, preventing, diagnosing and treating children's psychological, cognitive, emotional, developmental, behavioral and family problems.

Typically, Child Psychology careers require doctoral (PhD) degrees. Coursework includes the basics of psychology which are relevant to child development, including the study of traditional theorists such as Freud and Piaget. Students will also likely have to complete an amount of coursework which addresses the academic study of pharmacology.

All doctoral programs require that students demonstrate their knowledge and research skills in a written doctoral thesis, and the child psychology degree is no exception. Psychology degree programs, from BA through PhD are available online. An online bachelor's degree in psychology can qualify you for a job as a psychologist assistant, or prepare you to continue in a graduate program.

Some states allow school psychologists to practice with a master's degree, but also have specific coursework and internship requirements. A doctoral degree, which can take up to seven years of graduate study, is required for most clinical or counseling psychologists, and an education specialist degree is a common requirement for most school psychologists.

Child Psychology is the study and treatment of children with psychological disorders. Child psychologists use the most up-to-date research to treat children. Child psychologists also work in the company and supervision of social workers in clinical settings. Child psychologists are specifically trained to understand and deal with childhood specific issues of:

• emotional development
• substance abuse
• family issues

Job prospects for Child Psychologists are excellent, and this field is expected to grow steadily through 2014. There are numerous job opportunities for child psychologists in schools, both public and private social service agencies as well as in management consulting services and even in advertising.

According to most sources, a starting child psychologist can earn a salary anywhere from $30,000 to $45,000. With five to ten years of experience added on, child psychologists can earn anywhere from $55,000 to $80,000. After ten years of experience they can make from $80,000 to $100,000.