Top Child Development Degree Programs

Holland Webb
By
Updated on June 10, 2024
Edited by
Reviewed by
Our Integrity Network

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

  • Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
  • Provide specific, corrective feedback.
  • Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

You can devote your career to helping families and children succeed. A child development degree may be your ticket to a life spent in education, healthcare, social work, or counseling.

This four-year undergraduate degree includes an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines psychology with health, education, and leadership. With this major, you could work in a preschool, hospital, government office, or community service setting.

Child development experts work with some of society’s most vulnerable members — bringing quality services to families and children in various settings. If you envision a career in child development, explore this guide for more information about the top child development degrees, what courses you’ll take, and which jobs you can pursue.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degrees

#1 Top Child Development Degree Programs

West Virginia University

  • Location-markerMorgantown, WV
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,144
  • Out-of-state$25,824
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,332
  • Out-of-state$26,676
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled25,474
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment54%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Top Child Development Degree Programs

University of Arizona Global Campus

  • Location-markerChandler, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,280
  • Out-of-state$13,280
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,720
  • Out-of-state$13,720
  • Retention Rate31%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled40,362
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment100%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Top Child Development Degree Programs

Concordia University-Saint Paul

  • Location-markerSaint Paul, MN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$23,900
  • Out-of-state$23,900
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,550
  • Out-of-state$8,550
  • Retention Rate61%
  • Acceptance Rate69%
  • Students Enrolled5,502
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment69%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Top Child Development Degree Programs

Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies

  • Location-markerFort Wayne, IN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,224
  • Out-of-state$10,224
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,725
  • Out-of-state$7,725
  • Retention Rate52%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,114
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment100%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Top Child Development Degree Programs

Union Institute & University

  • Location-markerCincinnati, OH
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$16,841
  • Out-of-state$16,841
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$15,911
  • Out-of-state$15,911
  • Retention Rate100%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled776
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment100%
  • AccreditationYes

Accredited Schools Online uses trusted data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools based on quality, affordability, and reputation. When ranking schools, we look at factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition and other costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation.

This ranking is from 2023. Explore our rankings methodology to learn more about how we rank schools.

Did You Know…

1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years has been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder?

What Courses Will You Take in a Child Development Program?

An undergraduate program in child development typically requires a general education core, an array of courses in the major, and a selection of electives. Standard child development courses include:

  • Development of Children with Exceptionalities: Students explore atypical patterns of child development, including the characteristics of exceptionalities and delays. Topics include early intervention, transitions, developmental screening, and strategies for collaborating with families and community partners.
  • Parent Education and Family Development: Students learn effective tools and techniques to help parents and other caregivers adopt alternative approaches to parenting. Topics include child development, leadership skills, community resources, and family life education.
  • Child Development, Family Systems, and Social Change: This course details the influence of family, school, and community on a child’s development. Students analyze the social influences of family systems, divorce, poverty, peer groups, and mass media on children’s development.
  • Wellness in the Early Childhood Setting: This course covers safety, health, and nutrition issues for young children. Students learn CPR, first aid, AED, and child abuse prevention.
  • Developmental Psychology: Students explore physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development across the lifespan.

Why Get a Bachelor’s in Child Development?

With a bachelor’s degree in child development, you can empower parents and children to succeed in school, relationships, and society. You might own a childcare center, serve as a teacher in a public elementary school, or work with a state social services department.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 512,300 people worked as preschool teachers in 2022. Many others serve as adoption case managers, religious education directors, or daycare center supervisors. Each of these professionals can change the lives of children and, through them, shape the world of the future.

If you are drawn to this field, you should have an inquisitive nature, love interacting with children, and enjoy exercising your creativity and patience. This interdisciplinary program could prepare you for a preschool leadership, social work, or nonprofit management career.

Alternatively, you could use your undergraduate degree as the foundation for a master’s program in teaching, counseling, or direct-entry nursing or another related discipline.

Although a child development degree does not usually meet the requirements for a K-12 teaching license, this degree can serve as the academic foundation for many rewarding and well-paying careers.

Once you are established in a child development role, you might consider earning a graduate degree as a path to a research, education, or postsecondary teaching career.

Other benefits of a child development degree include:

  • A Foundation in Learning Theory: Discover the theories behind how people learn and which instructional strategies are most effective. You can apply learning theory to your instructional practice, homeschooling, or another non-formal educational setting.
  • Background for a Graduate Degree: An interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in child development may equip you for a master’s degree or doctorate in education, psychology, healthcare, social work, or social science.
  • Career Switching or Advancement: This degree may help you move into a leadership role if you currently work as a childcare assistant. Alternatively, you may step directly into a non-clinical social work or non-licensed teaching role.

Jobs for Bachelor’s in Child Development Graduates

Child development graduates may work in educational, therapeutic, healthcare, or community service settings. The following careers are some of the options available:

Preschool Teachers: Preschool teachers provide supervision and instruction to children younger than five. They emphasize the linguistic, social, and motor development of young children. These professionals may work in public or private educational settings.

  • Median Annual Salary: $35,330
  • Job Outlook (2022-32): +3%

Preschool and Childcare Center Directors: Preschool and childcare center directors oversee staff, programs, curriculum, and nutrition at preschools or daycare centers. They may establish policies, hire and train staff, communicate with parents, and develop financial plans.

  • Median Annual Salary: $49,690
  • Job Outlook (2022-32): -3%

Social Workers: Social workers help people meet basic life needs, and some social workers can actually specialize in supporting children. They may connect clients with programs or advocate for their inclusion. Clinical social workers also provide therapeutic interventions, such as counseling or developing treatment plans.

  • MedianAnnual Salary: $55,350
  • Job Outlook (2022-32): +7%

Should You Get a Different Degree in Child Development?

If you want to explore child development without committing to a four-year degree, you may like to consider an associate program. However, if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or doctorate in the field may be more appropriate.

Associate Degrees in Child Development

An associate degree in child development is a two-year undergraduate program that can prepare you for a bachelor’s degree or an entry-level career in the field. The curriculum can equip you with skills in planning lessons, fostering relationships, and creating diverse and welcoming learning environments.

This degree could serve as the gateway to an array of careers in education, healthcare, counseling, research, social work, or public policy. However, most top-paying jobs require considerable education beyond the associate level.

As of August 2022, Payscale reports that people with an associate in child development earned an average of $55,000 annually.

  • Program Focus: Social Development, Nutrition, Health, and Education of Young Children
  • Common Courses: Young Children With Special Needs, Creative Activities for Young Children, Early Childhood Curriculum Planning
  • Jobs for Graduates: Preschool Teacher
  • Licensure/Certification Required: Depends on your state’s requirements for pre-K teachers

Master’s Degrees in Child Development

An online MA or M.Ed. in child development can equip you to explore and analyze research, lead existing programs, and improve initiatives designed to empower children from infants to age 18.

This degree often takes two years and generally requires 33-36 credits in behavioral health, educational leadership, and community service administration. To finish the program, you may write a thesis or complete a practice-oriented capstone project.

  • Program Focus: Child and Adolescent Development Health
  • Common Courses: The Importance of Play in Child Development and Diversity and Equity in Early Childhood Services
  • Jobs for Graduates: Childcare Center Leader, Non-clinical Social Worker, or Nonprofit Director
  • Licensure/Certification Required: Required for clinical social work, teaching, or counseling positions

Doctoral Degrees in Child Development

An Ed.D. or Ph.D. builds on a master’s degree in child development or early childhood education. This 3-5 year degree equips you with advanced skills in statistics, qualitative analysis, and research methodology. You will also study child development theory and developmental psychology across childhood and adolescence.

A doctorate can prepare you for a career as a researcher, postsecondary teacher, or organizational executive. As of January 2024, Payscale reports that people with an Ed.D. earned an average of $88,000 annually.

  • Program Focus: Child and Adolescent Development, Early Childhood Education, Developmental Psychology, International Perspectives
  • Common Courses: Early Childhood Literacy and Literature, Diversity in Child/Adolescent Development and Learning, Developmental Psychopathology
  • Jobs for Graduates: Elementary Principal, Therapist, Postsecondary Teacher, Researcher, Nonprofit Executive
  • Licensure/Certification Required: Depends on your field
Careers in Child Development and Minimum Degree Required Sector or Industry Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Degree Social Work Social Services Assistant Non-clinical Social Worker Clinical Social Worker (Master’s) Education Preschool Teacher Special Education Teacher University Instructor or Researcher (Doctorate) Religion Children’s or Youth Ministry Assistant Children’s or Youth Ministry Leader Hospital Chaplain in Pediatrics (Master’s) Mental Health Counselor Assistant Behavioral Specialist Counselor (Master’s) Healthcare Occupational or Speech Therapist’s Assistant Child Life Specialist Occupational or Speech Therapist

How Do You Choose the Right Child Development Program?

Choosing the right child development program requires more than considering your qualifications and the school’s price. Make sure to look at these other critical factors when making your selection:

Accreditation

Only consider institutionally accredited schools with regional accreditation from an agency such as the Higher Learning Commission or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Check your target school’s accreditation status before applying.

Some universities may also hold programmatic accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. While this could indicate the institution’s commitment to its child development major, it is not essential.

Staff Diversity

Diverse faculty perspectives can improve your critical thinking skills and enhance your ability to provide a welcoming environment for all students.

Location

Local schools may give you access to area employers or on-campus recruiting events.

Job Placement

Ask your admissions counselor how many of their school’s childhood development majors hold full-time jobs in the field within six months of graduation.

Future Education Opportunities

A master’s degree or doctorate can boost your career in this field. Does your prospective school offer a four-plus-one program or another on-ramp to graduate education?

More Questions About Degrees in Child Development

What will I learn as a child development major?

Depending on your focus and degree level, you may learn about pediatric neurology, language development, assessments, and intervention strategies. Your coursework may cover education, psychology, social service, healthcare, communication, and public policy.

What child development degree should I get?

You should aim for the degree you qualify to earn. For instance, if you hold a high school diploma or associate degree in a related field, pursue a bachelor’s degree. If you already have a four-year degree, consider applying for a master’s degree or doctorate.

What are the admissions requirements for a bachelor’s degree in child development?

Each school sets its own admissions standards. However, you typically need a GED certificate, high school diploma, or its homeschool equivalent. You may also need to meet minimum GPA standards, and some schools expect you to have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

How much does a bachelor’s degree in child development cost?

The NCES reports that the average annual cost of a bachelor’s degree in education is $13,109. However, tuition varies widely from school to school. Typically, public universities charge less than private institutions, but that’s not always the case. Be sure to explore several possible schools and financial aid options.

What is the highest paying job in child development?

According to the BLS, an occupational therapist earned a median annual salary of $93,180 in 2022. Becoming a pediatric occupational therapist requires earning a qualifying master’s degree or doctorate in occupational therapy and passing all state licensure requirements.

The highest paying job for someone with a bachelor’s in child development may be a special education teacher, which brings in a median annual salary of $62,950. In addition to earning your degree, you must meet all state licensure requirements to pursue this career.


Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed March 15, 2024.