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This specialization focuses on preparing students for academic and clinical careers centered around children and families. It combines foundational and applied psychological approaches to studying, diagnosing, and treating children and their family systems.
Students in this concentration take coursework covering child development, developmental psychopathology, childhood disorders, family dynamics, and therapeutic interventions for children and families. These classes are taught by faculty from both the Clinical Psychology and Developmental Psychology programs within the Department of Psychological Sciences, as well as the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. Additionally, students must complete a minimum of two years of clinical training focused specifically on children and/or families. Most students will also participate in research projects examining developmental psychopathology, typical child development, or family systems.
Child clinical psychologists expand upon general clinical psychology competencies through these key activities:
Performing research on fundamental and practical aspects of child development, developmental disorders, and family dynamics.
Creating and applying interventions for cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and relational challenges in children and families.
Assessing children for potential developmental delays, learning disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and social-emotional concerns.
Collaborating with families, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and social service organizations.
Educating and mentoring future professionals in the field.