Online applied child & adolescent development MA
Learn how to draw on developmental science to address the needs of children and adolescents in advocacy, community, and health care settings. Acquire the field experience and strategies you need to put theory into practice when and where it benefits children and adolescents most.
In this program, you’ll take core courses in advanced developmental psychology, cognitive and biological development, social and emotional development, research methods, and ethics. Then, you’ll complete coursework in one of three specializations: infant and early childhood mental health, child life, or individualized studies.
This an online program. View information about University of Minnesota (U of M) online programs, including technical requirements and student resources
Find what drives you – join us!
- Be a part of a community devoted to understanding and supporting how children learn and grow.
- Study with award-winning faculty from the #1 developmental psychology program in the nation (Ranked in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report).
- Earn your degree online: learn from where you are, when it’s convenient for you.
Register for an upcoming info session
Join us for a virtual information session for the MA in Applied Child and Adolescent Development Program.
The information session will provide an overview of our MA program and the Child Life, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Individualized Studies tracks. We will offer Q&A breakout sessions by track at the end of the session.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
12 - 1 pm CT
Choose your specialization
In our program, you'll build a strong foundation in child and adolescent development and choose a specialization from one of our three track options. Click on a track below to learn more about coursework and career opportunities.
Child life
Prepare to be a child life specialist, a trained professional who helps children cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability, and hospitalization.
Individualized studies
Personalize your degree by selecting elective courses that you can apply to a career field that interests you.
Infant and early childhood mental health
Prepare for a career that incorporates early childhood mental health practice or policy. Live in Minnesota? Pursue an option to prepare for a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) license.
We've put together an info session to provide an overview of the online MA program, its three tracks—child life, infant and early childhood mental health, and individualized studies—and application materials and requirements. We invite you to watch the info session and get in touch if you have any questions.
How to apply
Admissions requirements and deadline
Deadline: February 15
If admitted, you'll start the program in the summer semester. The summer semester begins in early June. View the University of Minnesota's academic calendar for specific summer session dates.
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.
There are additional admissions prerequisites for the child life track. Please visit Application instructions-child life for details.
Application
Review application instructions before beginning your application. To apply for our program, submit all materials electronically through the University’s online application system. Please don't submit materials via mail. We can't review your application until you submit all of the materials listed.
Test scores
We do not require GRE scores.
Information for international students
- English Language test scores (TOEFL): For students whose first language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. The exception is for non-native English speakers who completed their undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country within the last five years. For the TOEFL, we require a score of 79 or above, with section scores of 21 on writing and 19 on reading. We must have an official copy of your scores on file. Send test scores to institution code 6874. View the U of M’s TOEFL score guidelines and expectations.
- 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.
For any questions, please contact icdapply@umn.edu.
Tuition and funding
Students who take all their courses online qualify for the Minnesota resident tuition rate. Tuition for our MA program follows the University’s general resident graduate tuition rates. Full-time enrollment is 6 to 14 credits per semester. Each track in our MA program has its own course and credit requirements. To review the credit requirements for each track, view the sample degree timeline on each track page.
Additional resources
Child life track application instructions
Additional prerequisites
During your application submission, please upload your ACLP child life course verification form and add your 100 hours of experiences with children, youth, and families.
- Introduction to child life course: All applicants must complete or be enrolled in a child life course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist. Complete the ACLP child life course verification form, get it signed by your Certified Child Life Specialist instructor, and upload the form in the program materials section. We offer a course that meets this criteria, CPSY 3601 Intro to Child Life.
- If you are a current University of Minnesota undergraduate student, you can enroll in CPSY 3601 in either fall or spring semester.
- If you are not a current University of Minnesota student, learn more about enrolling in CPSY 3601 as a non-degree seeking student here.
- Experiences with Children, Youth, and Families: In the program application, you will need to add experience with details of at least 100 combined hours of direct interaction with children, youth, and families experiencing health-related services in a healthcare and/or community-based setting.
Required materials
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.
- Resume or CV (do not fill out the employment section in the application, you’ll be asked to upload a resume/CV later in the application.)
- Personal statement: Address our personal statement prompts in your statement.
- Diversity statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the U of M’s mission. Complete a one-page statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program. Include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed. 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. One of your three letters of recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your direct interactions with children and families. Share our letter of recommendation prompts with them. We suggest that you seek additional 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.
Infant and early childhood mental health track application instructions
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.
- 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: Address our personal statement prompts in your statement.
- Diversity statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the U of M’s mission. Complete a one-page statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program. Include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed. 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.
- Optional diversity scholarship statement: The Irving B. Harris Foundation promotes equity of academic and life outcomes for all children by enabling access to comprehensive, high-quality care in nurturing environments for pregnant women, very young children, and families. To apply for a Harris scholarship, write a statement on how your background and experiences will support their mission (Limit 500 words). This scholarship is only available to Minnesota residents. If you’d like to be considered for the Irving B. Harris Foundation Diversity Scholarship, upload your scholarship statement in the section “Graduate Program Additional Material”.
Individualized studies track application instructions
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.
- 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: Address our personal statement prompts in your statement.
- Diversity statement: Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the U of M’s mission. Complete a one-page statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program. Include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed. 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.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Get in touch with our student services team: icdapply@umn.edu
Quote from Graduate program coordinator
As the Graduate Program Coordinator in the Institute of Child Development, it is my role to help align your academic and career goals. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions!