Earning your masters in child development could help you inspire future generations. Childhood is a critical period of time in our development. This is the age at which we learn eagerly and employ vivid imagination to help us solve problems and figure out the world around us.
Those who earn their master’s degree in early childhood development often continue to make significant impact in the educational and social science fields.
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Let’s take a look at what earning an online masters degree in child development may entail.
Online Masters in Child Development Programs
Enrolling in a child development graduate program can provide you with plenty of opportunity to observe, quantify, and understand the behavior of children at various stages of growth. The coursework involved in an online masters in child development program can help you learn more about specific areas of the developmental process, including:
- Language
- Psychology
- Education
- Social skills
- Special needs
Learning more about how children develop and about the many strategies to engage and interact with them may help you advance your career in a variety of fields, including research, education, and intervention.
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Some professionals focus on research methods. Others work to create and implement intervention strategies to ensure children are able to reach their full potential, regardless of what obstacles they might encounter during their early years.
Those who graduate from child development master programs may go on to work in an educational setting, teaching or creating learning plans for children at various stages of their lives. Others go on to work in social services professions, providing insight and intervention for children with challenging situations.
Many child development graduate programs encourage you to participate in field study or internships to help you gain experience in your particular concentration. This could also help you find a profession that meets your area of study.
Master’s in Child Development Online Common Concentrations
Available concentrations can differ from school to school, depending on faculty and course offerings. Here are some of the more common concentrations for those who pursue a master’s in child development online:
- Child Life. This concentration focuses on the physical development of children from birth forward, and it may focus on medical and health-related intervention.
- Mental Health in Infants and Early Development. In this focus, you can learn how to ethically and substantially provide support for very young children.
- Family Support. In this concentration, you can learn about how family roles and culture can impact a child’s development.
- Special Needs and Development. This concentration will bring to light various developmental challenges as well as intervention methods and ethical treatments.
- Developmental Psychology. If you wish to focus on the psychological aspects of early childhood, this concentration may be a good fit for you.
Additionally, some schools allow students to develop their own specialized concentration with the assistance of faculty members.
Child and Adolescent Development Careers & Salaries
Those who earn a master’s degree in early childhood development may have a variety of career opportunities available to them, depending on their concentration and interests.
There may be options available in both private and public educational settings. Some graduates work as classroom specialists, while others develop and design programs that can encourage learning for each stage of life.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries for some of the career paths related to the study of child and adolescent development.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $98,420 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $63,740 |
| Special Education Teachers | $61,820 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $61,350 |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,510 |
| Social Workers | $50,390 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
| Preschool and Childcare Center Directors | $47,310 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,610 |
Additionally, those who complete their online masters degree in child development may wish to continue in a research capacity. They might work to create intervention and assistance plans to help children reach their full potential.
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Regardless of your concentration, there can be many potential roles available for those who earn their masters in child development.
Master of Child Development Curriculum & Courses
Each university will likely offer their own unique curriculum, and the courses available to you can vary depending on your chosen concentration.
Some of the typical courses you may find in child development master programs can include:
- Child Psychology: In this course, you’ll learn various theories regarding the psychological development in infants, children, and adolescents.
- Research in Developmental Psychology: This course focuses on research methods when examining psychological situations in children.
- Ethics and Professionalism: Working with children can provide unique ethical concerns, which are addressed in this course.
- Program Planning for Educational Development: This course highlights creating prevention and intervention strategies in conjunction with educational opportunities.
- Program Administration and Policy: This course demonstrates how programs are evaluated for success and how to implement prevention and intervention strategies.
- Observation and Behavioral Analysis: In this course, you’ll learn skills for observing behavior in infants and children and how to study what you discover.
- Physical Growth: This course provides greater insight into how children’s bodies grow and mature at various stages of development.
- Culture and Early Development: Cultural customs may have an impact on behavior, development, and program administration, as you’ll learn in this course.
- Child Welfare Law: The legal requirements and policies surrounding child welfare must be obeyed, and so they’re highlighted in this course.
- Therapeutic Play: Therapeutic play is one of the many prevention and intervention methods available, and many schools offer courses that explore these methods on a deeper level.
Additional courses that provide deeper focus on skills required for a particular concentration may be offered as well.
Admissions Requirements
Each school will have its own set of admissions requirements, so it’s helpful to review the application guidelines when deciding which school is best for you.
Typical admissions requirements include:
- GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
- Bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts of undergraduate work
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Please note that some schools require students to have completed their undergraduate work in education, psychology, or child development, while others do not. You may also be asked to complete an online application and participate in interviews with faculty.
Child Development Graduate Programs Accreditation
When you’re researching online masters programs in child development, you may wish to pay particular attention to programs that are regionally accredited.
You can verify a school’s accreditation status by visiting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) online. Regional accrediting agencies review educational institutions and programs to ensure they meet rigorous standards, including challenging curriculum and measurable success.
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Students who participate in accredited programs may be eligible for certain perks, such as federal financial assistance and membership in professional organizations following graduation. Additionally, some employers prefer candidates who hold degrees from accredited programs. This may also tie in with certain legal or licensure aspects of the profession.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you’re interested in finding financial assistance for your online masters degree in child development, you can start by completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Completing this application is often the first step toward gaining need-based financial assistance for your education. Additionally, you may wish to explore scholarship and grant opportunities offered by the school you select. These may be offered to students based on previous scholastic performance or the concentration they select.
Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement programs, so you may wish to investigate that option as well. You may also find local or professional organizations that provide financial assistance, too.
Child Development Professional Organizations
Those who pursue their master’s degree in early childhood development may wish to consider joining a variety of professional organizations.
Participation with these organizations may provide credentials that can help you with your professional career. A few examples of child development professional organizations include:
- Council for Professional Recognition: This is the leading organization for early childhood educators, and it offers the CDA, or Child Development Associate credential.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): This organization provides not only professional development, training, and accreditation of early childhood educators but also resources for families.
- Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP): Focusing on clinical psychology in youngsters, SCCAP is part of the American Psychological Association.
Depending on your concentration, other organizations may be of interest as well.
What Can You Do with a Masters in Child Development Degree?
Many students who receive an online masters degree in child development go on to work in early childhood education, such as in kindergarten, grade school, and special education roles. These are not the only possible options, though.
Some graduates choose to focus on program administration. They might work in tandem with educators to develop prevention and intervention situations that can help children blossom and grow in a school setting. Others might focus on the psychological aspects of child development. There are many concentrations to choose from, and there are many career paths available, depending on your specialty area.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Masters in Child Development Online?
The amount of time it takes to complete a child development graduate program depends on the number of credit hours required as well as your enrollment status. Some universities offer fast psychology degrees online for those wishing to complete their credential more quickly.
For example, a 36 credit hour program may be completed in 1 year if you are enrolled full-time and year round. Part-time enrollment will likely add time to this schedule. Additionally, some programs may ask that students complete an internship or thesis, which could also add more time to your overall program.
Is a Masters in Child Development Degree Worth It?
Yes, a masters in child development degree is worth it for many students. Child development master programs present students with challenging yet rewarding opportunities to help sculpt future generations.
In-depth study into the various aspects of childhood development can provide you with expertise in this rewarding field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10% job growth for education, training, and library occupations over the next ten years. Employment opportunities in early childhood education, in particular, are also expected to grow over that same period.
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As a result, more professionals with insight into how developmental processes take place will be employed to help children thrive and grow.
Universities Offering Online Masters 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.
Capella University offers a Master of Science in Psychology. The program aims to impart the knowledge and skills required for graduates to successfully support children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings. The fully online curriculum covers essential topics such as prenatal and lifespan development, advocacy, and child and adolescent psychology.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Missouri State University offers a Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development. The curriculum includes studies in early childhood education, child development, and family development. Graduates may pursue careers in childcare, higher education, non-profits, government agencies, and private businesses. Students can attend 100% online and customize 1/3 of their curriculum.
Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master’s in Child Psychology. The curriculum covers the core principles and practices necessary for working closely with children and families in the field of psychology. The program does not require GRE scores for admission and allows students to transfer in up to 12 qualifying credits from outside institutions.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Texas Woman’s University offers a Master of Science in Child Development. The program Is designed for working professionals. It aims to provide them with the skills needed to further existing careers or launch new careers working with adolescents and children. Students can potentially complete the program in just 12 months. Classes are taken one at a time, and each class is 7 weeks long.
Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of La Verne offers a Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Development. The program is designed for students pursuing careers as preschool teachers, youth advocates, childcare directors, parent educators, or social workers. Students in the program must choose between a research track or a practitioner track and may take courses online or on campus.
The University of La Verne is accredited by the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of Minnesota—Twin Cities offers a Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development. The program boasts faculty members who are experts in research, ethics, and childhood cognitive, social, and biological development. This 32 credit program offers specialized tracks in child life and infant and early childhood mental health and individualized studies, all of which are offered online.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of South Florida offers a Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health. The program requires the completion of 39 credits and is housed fully online. Depending on their professional goals, students in the program may specialize in Leadership, Developmental Disabilities, Research and Evaluation, or Youth and Behavioral Health.
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Southern Mississippi offers an online program for a Master of Science in Child and Family Sciences. It aims to prepare students for essential, fulfilling careers serving children and families’ health and development. The program can typically be completed in 1 to 3 years, depending on the student’s course load. Courses cover concepts like family advocacy, child and family life education, and lifespan development.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of West Alabama offers a Master of Education in Early Childhood Development. The program is designed to fit the needs of educators from a variety of backgrounds, including those working toward their first master’s degree or those hoping to advance in existing careers.
It is often a good fit for students interested in gaining additional knowledge of childhood development as well. Each course is 8 weeks long, and the program can typically be completed in 1 year.
The University of West Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Walden University offers a Master’s in Science in Developmental Psychology with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Development. The program aims to help students learn how to apply contemporary research and theories in their field. Key concepts covered in the curriculum include lifespan development, gender and human development, developmental psychopathology, and diversity in learning.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Child Development Masters Degree Online
For those who wish to be involved in working with future generations, getting your child development masters degree online may be a strategic next step in your educational and professional career.
This degree can provide you with essential information and skills for a variety of career paths. Some graduates aim to conduct research and establish programs to encourage healthy growth, while others choose a role directly involved with educating children.
Reputable child development degree online programs are available from accredited universities. If you’re considering a professional career with infants, children, or adolescents, you may wish to explore the many online child development masters degree programs available to you today!
