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Avatar Author 15 Apr 2024

M.A In Child Psychology and Development


At any hour, almost 50 million children struggle with serious mental health disorders. As startling as it sounds, India is home to more than 434 million children and adolescents, making it a nation with the highest youth population in the world! Ironically however, there is a significant gap in attention and necessary resources when it comes to Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH).

 

As more people become aware of the importance of mental health and emotional well-being among youth, the need for skilled and qualified child psychologists becomes more crucial. Here’s why:

With the country’s working-age population expected to reach 250 million by the year 2030, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents for the nation’s overall growth and development.

 

In simple terms, addressing these mental health issues of today’s youth will significantly contribute to the country’s demographic dividend.

 

Child Psychology & Development Simplified for You

 

Child psychology and development courses deal with a child’s growth and eventual change throughout different stages of development like:

  • Infancy 

  • Toddlerhood 

  • Childhood 

  • Adolescence 

 

In simpler terms, we can understand child psychology as a specialized branch of study which delves into the cognitive and intellectual development of children, along with the application of general principles of psychology to infancy and childhood.

 

 

Child Psychology VS Child Development: Know the Difference!

 

Child Psychology concerns itself with acquiring knowledge on emotional, mental, cultural, and bodily development, right from postnatal age to the commencement of adulthood. However, Child Development focuses on the corporal, emotional, and mental growth in children. In a simplistic sense, it is only a subcategory under the broader spectrum of child psychology.

 

Why Should you go for a master's in Child Psychology & Development?

 

Acquiring a master’s in Child psychology & development prepares you to enter the field of psychology as an expert counsellor, a social worker, or even as a behavioral specialist. A master’s degree prepares you for extensive research in the subject and exposes you to a diverse range of programs that encourage effective collaboration between students and faculty.

 

Getting a master’s in child psychology exposes you to diverse professional and personal benefits. Among several other benefits, this degree is not only fulfilling but offers high-paying careers in several areas of the industry.

 

Here’s the Top 5 plus points of a skill-based master's degree in child psychology & development

 

1. High-paying career prospects

Getting a master’s degree in child psychology can help you bag several career prospects across various sectors of the industry, along with a significant growth in your income.

 

2. Acquire qualifications

Most career options in child psychology demand a basic master’s degree to guage your expertise and qualification in the field. For example, you would need a master’s degree to become a school psychologist and earn a license.

 

3. Equip yourself with the right skills

A master’s degree requires intensive training in research and helps you build essential counselling skills. The coursework is rigorous, covering topics like developmental and abnormal child psychology.  

 

4. Flexible learning options

With an online child psychology program, you can take advantage of flexible learning options. If you are a working professional, you can easily fit your busy schedule with time to devote to upskilling. Such online programs come with versatility, and expose you to opportunities in academics, research, and counselling. 

 

5. Pursue higher education

After completing your master’s in child psychology & development, you can go ahead and pursue clinical or other academic roles to become eligible for doctoral programs.

 

The Bottom Line: How Much Can You Earn? 

The average pay for an Indian child psychologist is somewhere around ₹2,04,399 per month, with an additional cash compensation of ₹1,79,399, ranging from ₹1,72,750 - ₹1,86,048.

 


 

Career Prospects in Child Psychology

 

1. Family & Child Therapist

Individuals working as family & child therapists focus on the social, emotional, behavioral, developmental & cognitive well-being of their prospective clients. These professionals carry out assessments, help with diagnoses and develop and create treatment and care plans. Often, they also collaborate with parents, teachers, and other medical professionals to work closely and get deeply involved in a child’s life to provide comprehensive care.

 

2. Child Welfare/Protection Social Worker

These professionals work for vulnerable children and their families. Working closely with those affected by abject poverty, homelessness, deteriorating academic performance, discrimination, abuse, and neglect, they provide counselling and parental and educational support, alongside housing assistance. They focus on analyzing cases of abuse and neglect, and in the process, intervene to protect these children from harm.

 

3. Marriage & Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists focus on the systematic assessment, diagnosis, and effective treatment of mental health disorders. Addressing the various interpersonal and behavioral issues and forms of psychological distress, they also help resolve relationship conflicts and family issues. With the help of these professionals, clients become able to cultivate healthy relationships.

 

Counsel India, in collaboration with Medhavi Skills University, presents a unique master's in child psychology & development, designed to empower you with practical skills and industry insights. This program follows a skill-based approach, integrating on-the-job training directly into the course curriculum. The updated course curriculum ensures that you are skilled enough to tackle all challenges effectively.

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