If you’re interested in having a career that invests in kids’ lives, you might consider pursuing a child development degree.
By studying how kids learn and grow, you can prepare for service and leadership roles in classrooms, community service agencies, and other child-centered settings. When you study for a child development bachelor degree online, you can learn essential skills for working with children and their families.
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Those lessons help some professionals advance beyond childcare roles and become leaders who provide much-needed services to the community.
Online Child Development Degrees
Do you love spending time with children? Do you find it gratifying to help kids achieve goals or learn new things? If so, you might be a fitting candidate for a child development online degree program.
While your coursework can be done online, you may have some in-person experiences to complete as well. For instance, you might be tasked with going to local preschool classes to observe the teachers and students. There might be an internship to do as well.
As a child development major, you can learn about how children develop and what you can do to support their healthy growth and learning. The topics you’ll study might include:
- Assessments and evaluations
- Child development careers
- Curriculum planning
- Family structures and relationships
- Health and nutrition
- Learning disabilities
- Literacy and language
- Motor skills
- Play and imagination
- Professional conduct
During your program, you may work toward various certifications. For example, some early childhood students become CPR certified. While programmatic accreditation isn’t essential, some schools do seek approval from an industry accreditor.
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For instance, your school’s child development program may hold NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). One thing to note is that child development programs don’t typically lead to licensure, and this field of study could help you qualify for jobs that don’t require a teaching license.
If you know you want to teach in a public school classroom, you might consider pursuing an elementary education degree instead. With that said, there are a lot of things you can do with a child development degree. Some graduates teach in a daycare or a preschool. Those jobs don’t always require a bachelor’s degree, so having that level of education may help fast-track you toward leadership roles.
Other job possibilities could include being a children’s recreation worker, a tutor, a human services assistant, or a program director in a community agency.
Child Development Careers & Salaries
Many people with a degree in child development enter the fields of childcare or education. Potential jobs include childcare worker or preschool teacher. Pairing a bachelor’s degree with experience could help you advance to a director position.
Some child development professionals work in schools for older children. For example, teaching kindergarteners in a private school may not require a teaching license. Some also work as paraprofessional teaching assistants in public or private schools. Another education-related option is to work as a tutor.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some potential career paths related to the field of child development.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $49,150 |
| Preschool and Childcare Center Directors | $47,310 |
| Private School Kindergarten Teachers | $46,520 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,610 |
| Tutors | $36,470 |
| Preschool Teachers | $30,210 |
| Recreation Workers | $29,680 |
| Teacher Assistants | $29,360 |
| Childcare Workers | $27,490 |
As you gain experience in this field, you may move to positions of greater leadership. With that can come higher earning potential.
Some child development majors go on to work in the recreation field. For instance, they might coordinate activity plans for students at a summer camp. Child development workers may also run children’s programming in libraries, museums, and other places where kids gather.
Child development studies could also be helpful for a career in community service. Graduates might start as early intervention assistants or social workers. Some states require their social workers to be licensed, though. Some professionals might eventually become program managers.
BA in Child Development Curriculum & Courses
If you’re someone who enjoys working with kids, then you may find it fascinating to study childhood growth and development. Your classes will also teach you to encourage kids’ learning processes and keep them safe and healthy. Here are some course examples:
- Assessment Techniques: You’ll explore tools for assessing children’s growth, learn to evaluate the results, and practice making intervention plans.
- Children, Families, and Communities: This course may address building strong support systems to guide children through each step of their development.
- Curriculum Planning: During your time in this course, you’ll learn to develop age-appropriate educational plans for young learners.
- Language and Literacy: You’ll study how children acquire language, what’s involved in learning to read, and how you can support kids’ emerging language skills in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Learning Through Play: As you explore the importance of play in children’s lives, you’ll consider how your lessons can be play-based.
- Diversity Studies: You may take a class that explores themes of diversity and considers how factors like socioeconomics and culture influence children’s early experiences.
- Health and Wellness: This course may cover safety and nutrition topics, and it could include first aid or CPR training.
- Music and Art: As you learn about creative development among young kids, you’ll think about ways to include music and art in their learning environments.
- Special Learning Needs: This course may introduce you to common developmental disabilities and provide strategies for working with special-needs students.
- Youth Development: You’ll study the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of young people, from birth through the teen years.
During your program, you might also complete an internship, observe kids in classroom settings, or assemble a portfolio of your college work.
How to Choose an Online Child Development Degree Program
Many schools offer online degrees in early childhood development. You might want to consider the following characteristics to find the college program that’s best for you:
- Accreditation. Does the school hold regional accreditation? Is the program accredited by an industry organization?
- Certification. Are there opportunities to become first aid certified or get a food sanitation license?
- Internships. Can the college help you locate an internship or practicum site in your local area?
- Licensure. Is there an option to pursue professional teaching licensure?
- Online style. Are courses live online sessions, or can they be completed on your own time? How long does each class term last?
An admissions counselor can help you learn more about a school’s child development program.
Admissions Requirements
Before sending applications to colleges, it’s helpful to make sure you meet their basic admissions requirements. While a school’s admissions counselor can answer specific questions, the following list provides a broad overview of the requirements at many schools:
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Official transcripts from high school and any college courses
- Test scores from the SAT or ACT (not required by all schools)
Also, it’s necessary to make sure you have the technology requirements needed for online classes, such as a computer with high-speed internet access.
Child Development Programs Accreditation
Checking for regional accreditation is an essential step in the college search process. When a school holds this type of accreditation, you can rest assured that it meets accepted educational standards. Some employers are more likely to hire candidates who went to regionally accredited colleges. Depending on your state, you may need an accredited bachelor’s degree to work as a preschool teacher.
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In addition, accreditation makes your college courses more transferrable. That can be helpful if you decide to switch schools before graduation. A regionally accredited degree is also an admission requirement for most reputable master’s degree programs.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
To get started with financial aid for your college studies, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Government loans are the most common source of financial assistance. You may receive loan opportunities from federal programs as well as your state. If your income qualifies you, there might be grants available as well.
Your college could have scholarship opportunities, too. You can also apply for scholarships from other organizations. Some scholarships are renewable for every year of your program. In addition, employers sometimes help pay for school. If you already work in childcare or education, your workplace might be willing to support your studies.
Child Development Professional Organizations
Joining a professional organization for educators and children’s workers can help you build a sense of camaraderie, and it can also provide networking opportunities. Membership may grant you access to industry publications, conferences, online seminars, continuing education courses, and professional discounts.
Here are some common child development professional organizations:
- Childhood Education International (CEI)
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Your membership dues may do more than give you access to various perks and benefits. They might also contribute to your organization’s advocacy efforts on behalf of children and their care.
What Is a Child Development Degree?
A child development degree is a program for people who want to work with young children but aren’t necessarily interested in a traditional classroom career.
Child development majors study early learning, growth and development, instructional methods, and community support systems. In addition, they often spend time observing early childhood practitioners leading local programs. People in this degree program can develop skills for working with children and families in various settings, such as childcare facilities, tutoring agencies, and community centers.
Some graduates do work in classrooms, but they often qualify for work as teacher’s aides or preschool teachers rather than public school elementary instructors.
Is Early Childhood Development a Good Career?
Yes, early childhood development is a good career for many professionals. Children always need care and support, so there’s a continual need for professionals in this field. Early childhood workers sometimes start their shifts early or stay until the evening hours, but they often have weekends off.
Childcare isn’t known for being a high-paying career, but having a bachelor’s degree could help increase your earning potential. Your college training might also qualify you to work as a preschool or childcare director. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that preschool and childcare center directors earn a median annual salary of $47,310, and some make more than $78,350.
What Can You Do with a Child Development Degree?
Some child development professionals are teachers. They work in daycares, preschools, or private schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teachers in private settings may not need state teaching licenses.
There are other ways to encourage kids’ education, too. You could pursue work as a teaching assistant in special education classrooms. Some child development specialists offer tutoring services after school as well. Another option is to work in human or social services.
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Depending on your state’s requirements, your child development training could serve as a springboard to becoming licensed as a social worker. Experienced professionals might also become program directors in community service agencies.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelors in Child Development Online?
Your Bachelor of Arts in Child Development online may take 4 years or less to complete. Four years is the standard length of time for a full-time bachelor’s degree, especially at a school with traditional 16 week semesters.
Many online programs are designed for faster completion, though. By offering accelerated online psychology degree programs with intensive year-round classes that last just 5 to 8 weeks each, they can often help full-time students finish in less time. Plus, online programs often accept transfer credits. If you’re eligible, that can be a helpful way to speed toward graduation. The faster you get through school, the sooner you can begin your child development career.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Child Development Degree?
After earning an early childhood development degree online, graduates might get jobs in a daycare. Others become teachers or assistants in infant, preschool, or school-age classrooms. Eventually, some professionals become school or center directors. Some graduates continue on and earn an on-campus or online masters degree in child development, which may lead to other opportunities.
Another potential option is to work in a preschool as an assistant teacher or a lead teacher. In private schools, you might be qualified to teach kindergarten too. Some child development professionals work as programming coordinators for organizations that do outreach to kids. Camps, community centers, libraries, children’s museums, and nature centers often need people for such roles.
Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor’s degree in child development is worth it for many students. Working with children and encouraging their development can be deeply rewarding and satisfying.
By taking care of kids, you could be serving your community. Parents depend on well-qualified caregivers to watch and educate their children. Appropriate support during the early years can help children grow into well-adjusted adults who contribute to society.
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In addition, early childhood professionals are in demand. Preschool teaching positions, for example, are expected to grow at an 18% rate over the next ten years, which is much faster than average (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Child Development Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Appalachian State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. The program focuses on children from birth through kindergarten, teaching students essential knowledge and tools to support this age range. This 120 credit program is offered part-time and online to help ensure that professional students can reach their educational goals regardless of scheduling restrictions.
Appalachian State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Central Methodist University offers a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. It is designed for students interested in working with children in childcare settings, classrooms, or through therapy. Classes can be attended in-person or online and are complemented by hands-on learning experiences in the field.
Central Methodist University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development program at Concordia University—St. Paul combines the flexibility of online learning with invaluable experiential learning and fieldwork. It aims to prepare graduates for careers in education, childcare, and curriculum development. With full-time attendance, students can potentially complete this 120 credit degree in just 2.5 years.
Concordia University – St. Paul is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Eastern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies with a concentration in Child Development. It is designed for individuals seeking employment in education, institutional settings, or human services. Each 8 week course in the program can be attended 100% online. Students may transfer in up to 90 qualifying credits from outside institutions toward the program’s 125 required credit hours.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Eastern Washington University offers a Bachelor of Science in Children’s Studies. The program utilizes an interdisciplinary approach, pulling in courses from a variety of disciplines, such as education, psychology, geography, and social work. Students in the program may choose from one of three concentrations: Child Life and Health, Child Services, and Community Programming for Children.
Eastern Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
At Fort Hays State University, students in the Bachelor of General Studies program can select a concentration in Child Development. This concentration is designed with online degree seekers, day care providers, early childcare providers, and parents in mind. Courses cover key topics such as human growth and development, classroom management, and supporting diverse learners.
FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Fresno Pacific University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development. The program focuses on how to support the healthy growth of children from birth to eight years old. Students may choose between in-person and online classes. Program-specific requirements can typically be completed in 18 months.
Fresno Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Indiana Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. The program is designed for students pursuing careers in education, social services, childcare, psychology, or counseling. The program boasts an immersive curriculum, active learning environments, expert faculty, and several opportunities for hands-on experience through internships.
Indiana Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Jacksonville State University offer a Bachelor’s in Child Development. The program aims to give students a solid foundation in human growth and development, family systems, research and observation, and the facilitation of healthy growth and development. To graduate, students must complete 120 credit hours, all of which can be completed through online coursework.
Jacksonville State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Kansas State University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. The program aims to prepare students for diverse careers working with and supporting children, including careers in education. Upon completion of this 120 credit program, graduates will be eligible to apply for teaching licensure within Kansas. Additional requirements may apply for out-of-state licensure.
Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Liberty University offers a minor in Parenting and Child and Adolescent Development that focuses on kids’ physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual development. Students can complete this minor as a complement to many different bachelor’s degrees. The minor is offered 100% online to ensure flexibility for busy working professionals and parents alike.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Bachelor’s in Child Development program at Point Loma Nazarene University aims to prepare graduates for child development careers in a variety of fields. Students who choose to complete their requirements using a hybrid online and on-campus model can potentially complete the degree in just 15 months. Students attending online may progress at their own pace.
PLNU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
At Southern New Hampshire University, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program offers a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. This concentration is designed for students hoping to work with children in social services, education, or healthcare. The program is offered fully online. Alongside their degree, students in the program may also earn a data literacy certificate.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Union Institute & University offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Adolescent Development. The school helps to ensure flexibility by offering online courses and part-time and full-time tracks. The program’s curriculum covers fundamental concepts like assessment of children and families, relationship-building, learning standards, cognitive development, and more.
Union Institute & University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Arizona offers a Bachelor’s in Child Development. The program aims to teach students how to serve as key advocates and facilitators for children’s biological and psychological development. Up to 90 qualifying credits may be transferred in toward the program’s 120 required credits. Classes are 5 to 6 weeks long and typically completed one at a time.
The University of Arizona is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.
The University of Central Missouri offers a minor in Child and Family Development that can be added to most bachelor’s degree programs. It is designed for students interested in supporting children and families in their developmental journeys. This minor consists of 21 credit hours and can be completed in person or entirely online.
The University of Central Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of La Verne offers a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. This program is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers related to families and children, including teaching, counseling, social work, and research. Though the program is completed online, it boasts deep engagement, active learning, and comprehensive support, such as library resources and academic planning.
The University of La Verne is accredited by the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of West Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development. The program covers essential topics like education, growth and development, literature, technology, and special needs. Courses are offered entirely online and taken one at a time, with each lasting 8 weeks. Most students complete their studies in just 3 to 4 years.
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Washington State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development. The curriculum explores development throughout the human lifespan, from birth to death. The program is hosted 100% online. It admits new students three times each year, and it can typically be completed in 4 years.
WSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
West Virginia University offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Development. The program is designed for students interested in becoming family support specialists, childcare directors, birth specialists, classroom aides, or other similar roles. The major-specific curriculum can typically be completed in 2 years of full-time study and paired with an existing associate degree.
West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Child Development Degree Online
Children’s workers play an essential role in communities. They encourage kids’ healthy growth and development, and they allow parents to work. Having a bachelor’s degree could demonstrate your commitment to the field and help set you apart as a candidate for leadership roles.
Online study can be a strategic way to get your college education. As you take online classes, you can learn about literacy, motor skills, curriculum planning, and the importance of play. To enhance your education, you might pair your online coursework with in-person experiences at local childcare or preschool facilities.
You can start exploring accredited colleges and universities today to find the bachelors program in child development that’s right for you.
