Start your journey
Earn your master’s online and advance your career working with youth and families
- Gain fundamental knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) theory, and learn how it is applied in a range of professional fields.
- Understand the importance of relationships in child development, and learn how family, culture, and socioeconomic status, and other environmental factors affect children's growth and well-being.
- Study typical and atypical development and understand the needs of children aged birth to five.
- Prepare to work with children in high-risk environments such as families with substance use or mental health issues, or related risks like homelessness or extreme poverty.
- Fulfill requirements to apply for Endorsement by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health®.
Careers
With an MA in applied child and adolescent development, advance your career as a mental health provider or practitioner in a variety of fields that serve young children and their families.
- Social work
- Child welfare
- Psychology
- Family and marriage counseling
- Nursing and related disciplines
- Education
- Law or juvenile justice
- Non-profit management
- Parent education
- Advocacy or policy
- Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC)
How to apply
Review application instructions before beginning your application. To apply for our program, submit all materials electronically through the University of Minnesota’s online application system. We cannot review your application until you submit all of the materials listed.
Admissions timeline
Deadline for applications: February 15
If admitted, you'll start the program in the summer semester, which begins in early June. The summer semester begins in early June. View the University of Minnesota's academic calendar for specific summer session dates.
Admissions requirements
We invite applications to our online MA program every year. You’re eligible to apply if you’ve completed:
- a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, earned prior to the summer start of the MA program. Preferred GPA: 3.00
- at least one psychology course (lifespan, child, or developmental psychology preferred) or human development course, grade B or higher. If you're a student at the University of Minnesota (U of M), we encourage you to take CPSY 2301: Intro to Developmental Psychology
Test scores
We do not require GRE scores.
Before you begin
Before you begin the online application, gather the following materials:
- Unofficial transcripts: You must submit an unofficial transcript or academic record for each institution you’ve attended. International students must submit an English translation of their transcript.
- Resume or CV (do not fill out the employment section in the application, you'll be asked to upload a resume/VS later in the application.)
- Personal statement: Provide a personal statement based on this prompt.
- Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) statement: Diversity of views and experience is fundamental to the University’s mission, and the University’s faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal. Complete a one-page statement that describes the distinctive perspectives of life experiences, such as successfully overcoming obstacles or hardships, that you would bring to the program. Describe how these perspectives or life experiences could contribute to the education and enhanced perspective of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. Please do not exceed one page in length.
- Three letters of recommendation: Identify and get contact information for three people who will serve as your recommenders. Share our letter of recommendation prompts with them. We suggest that you seek recommendations from the following:
- College instructor, advisor, or mentor
- Employer
- Another academic reference or, if that’s not possible, a personal reference from someone who has known you for five years or longer but is not a family member
- Application fee: $75 ($95 for international applicants). Must be paid online with credit card.
Submit all materials through the University’s online application system. Please don't submit materials via mail. We cannot review your application until you've submitted all the materials listed below.
Your admissions decision will be emailed to you once your application has been reviewed, and all transcripts and credentials are authenticated by the Graduate School. Applicants are typically notified of admissions decisions four to six weeks after the application deadline for their selected term of entry. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.
For any questions, please contact icdapply@umn.edu.
Information for international students
English language proficiency
Students whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Demonstration of proficiency is met through the TOEFL or IELTS.
TOEFL minimum score:
- Writing score of 21 or higher
- Reading score of 19 or higher
IELTS minimum score:
- Total score: 6.5
- Writing subscroe 6.5
- Reading subscore: 6.5
You’ll need to enter your self-reported TOEFL or IELTS scores in the online application and send your official electronic scores to the University of Minnesota:
- TOEFL ETS institution code: 6874
View the University of Minnesota's English language proficiency information.
Academic exception
Non-native English speakers who completed the entirety of their undergraduate degree (four years) in an English-speaking country within the last five years do not need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an English language test.
Visas
This program is designed to be completed entirely in your home country. This program does not provide visas to come to the United States to study or complete internship requirements.
Tuition and funding
Students who take all their courses online qualify for the Minnesota resident tuition rate.
- Tuition rates
- Graduate/professional loan comparison chart
- Funding and tuition information from The Graduate School
- Office for Equity and Diversity funding opportunities
- Disability Resource Center scholarships
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department.
- View more information about university funding opportunities
- For questions about funding, email gsfellow@umn.edu
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options. Check out this One Stop link for more information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines. If you have questions, you should contact OneStop@umn.edu.
Coursework
All courses are taught online. Core coursework includes foundational courses in child and adolescent development. In addition, you’ll take courses in research methods, prevention and intervention, and ethics. You’ll also apply what you learned in a field experience.
Total credits for an MA without license: 33
Licensure
If you reside in Minnesota, you can take additional credits that fulfill LPCC licednsure application requirements.
Although the University does not award licensure, this option allows you to fulfill the requirements to apply for licensure through the state of Minnesota. For current requirements, visit the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy website.
Taken together, infant and early childhood mental health and licensure courses will prepare you to apply a two-generational approach to your counseling work with infants and young children in high-risk caregiving environments, such as those who have caregivers with histories of mental illness, substance use, or related risks like homelessness or extreme poverty.
Sample degree timeline (MA without license)
Year 1
Summer
CPSY 5301 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
Fall
- CPSY 5303 Social and Emotional Development (3 credits)
- CPSY 5304 Research Methods in Applied Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
Spring
- CPSY 5302 Cognitive and Biological Development (3 credits)
- CPSY 5503 Development and Psychopathology in Early Childhood (3 credits)
- CPSY 5506 Infant Observation Seminar I (1 credit)
Year 2
Summer
- CPSY 5508 Infant Observation Seminar II (1 credit)
- CPSY 5513 Early Childhood Assessment (3 credits)
Fall
- CPSY 5306 Ethics & Professionalism (3 credits)
- CPSY 5511 Infant Observation Seminar III (1credit)
- CPSY 5518 Prevention and Intervention in Early Childhood: Principles (3 credits)
Spring
- CPSY 5521 Prevention and Intervention in Early Childhood: Practice (3 credits)
- CPSY 5996 Field Experience in Applied Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
Sample degree timeline (MA with license)
Year 1
Summer
- CPSY 5301 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- Licensure track town hall introduction
Fall
- CPSY 5303 Social and Emotional Development (3 credits)
- CPSY 5304 Research Methods in Applied Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
Spring
- CPSY 5302 Cognitive and Biological Development (3 credits)
- CPSY 5503 Development and Psychopathology in Early Childhood (3 credits)
- CPSY 5506 Infant Observation Seminar I (1 credit)
Year 2
Summer
- CPSY 5508 Infant Observation Seminar II (1 credit)
- CPSY 5513 Early Childhood Assessment (3 credits)
- ADDS 6015 Social & Cultural Diversity in Counseling (3 credits)
- Licensure track onboarding modules
Fall
- CPSY 5306 Ethics & Professionalism (3 credits)
- CPSY 5511 Infant Observation Seminar III (1credit)
- CPSY 5518 Prevention and Intervention in Early Childhood: Principles (3 credits)
Spring
- CPSY 5521 Prevention and Intervention in Early Childhood: Practice (3 credits)
- CPSY 5996 Field Experience: Evidence-based IECMH Practice (3 credits)
Year 3
Summer
- ADDS 6021 Counseling Skills: Group Counseling (3 credits)
- ADDS 6025 Counseling Skills: CBT and Motivational Interviewing (Elective; 3 credits)
- CPSY 5996 Field Experience: Professional Development (1 credit)
- Development (1 credit)
- Internship Preparation
Fall
- ADDS 6011 Applied Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- IBH 6305 Applications of Counseling Theories (3 credits)
- FSOS 5111 Introduction to Family Therapy (3 credits)
Spring
- IBH 6311 Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
- IBH 6301 Career Counseling Professional Development (3 credits)
- IBH 6321 Trauma and Crisis Counseling (3 credits)
Year 4
Summer
CPSY 5996 Internship Seminar (2 credits)
Fall
- CPSY 5996 Internship Seminar (2 credits)
- Final Capstone Presentation
Quote from Andre Dukes, MA '20
I am now more equipped to provide leadership in the structural components necessary to facilitate the support of children in a more holistic way.
Endorsement
Minnesota is one of 31 member states of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health®. This global organization offers the credential for endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health®.
Our online MA program meets the theoretical foundations and competencies for the Alliance endorsement process.
Endorsement levels include:
- Infant Family Specialist (Prevention/Early Intervention)
- Infant Mental Health Specialist (Treatment/Intervention)
- Infant Mental Health Mentor (Clinical, Faculty, or Policy Leadership)
- More information on the endorsement process is available through the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
- Infant and Early Childhood Division.
Don't live in Minnesota? Your state’s infant mental health association handles endorsement. Learn if your state is a member of the Alliance.
Contact us
We're here to help. Email icdapply@umn.edu and a member of our department will be in touch.