Best Master's in Child Development Degree Programs

There are many common undergraduate degree options for students interested in pursuing education in the field of child development. These options depend on the desired career outcome. For example, a person hoping to teach children could pursue an undergraduate degree in early childhood education. A person wishing to be a youth advocate or work with social services might consider an undergraduate degree in social work. Psychology is a great choice for students desiring a broader foundation for their graduate pursuits.

Admissions requirements for a child development master's program are relatively straightforward. Most universities do not currently require the GRE or similar exams for entrance, and they will accept transcripts of any bachelor's degree program from an accredited university. There may also be requirements for extra documentation such as letters of recommendation or a personal statement or essay. Each university has different deadlines for admissions materials. If the university has rolling admissions or multiple start dates, there may also be multiple deadlines for admissions, so it is important to check with each individual institution.

Most public schools require teachers, administrators, and similar positions to hold at least a master's degree in the field, so students who wish to teach children or work in an academic environment should get a master's degree. Students who are interested in getting a master's degree in child development should be passionate about working with children or advocating on behalf of them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), childcare workers should have good patience and physical stamina as well as communication, decision-making, and interpersonal skills in order to be successful in this profession.

Choosing the master's in child development program that is best suited for a student's needs is very important. One thing to consider when searching for a program is the start date. Some universities only offer admissions during the fall semester, whereas other institutions have admissions during fall, spring, and summer semesters. Another factor to consider is whether or not the program requires an internship. If the student has a desired career outcome of working with children, it may be beneficial to get hands-on experience within the field.

Child development master's degree courses are designed to provide a comprehensive approach to understanding the growth and maturation of children, including both early childhood and adolescent children. There are a number of courses that are important to the foundational study of the program, as well as elective courses that provide a more specific look into specialized areas of the degree. In addition to courses concentrating in children specifically, there are also courses geared towards educating adults about child development.

Child Development Foundational Courses

There are many foundational courses that are important to a child development degree program. This includes both classroom hours and internship hours. Some important courses for the master's program are:

• Methods of Research: This course provides students with a basic understanding of how to apply various research methods to developmental and educational studies.
• Cognition and Brain Development: This course is designed to show students cognitive development from birth through age eight, and it provides students with an understanding of how different cultures and environments impact this growth.
• Adult Education and Supervision: This course focuses on adults as learners, providing insight into how to educate both professionals and parents.

Child Development Specialist & Elective Courses

There are also a number of elective courses that are important to the child development degree program. These courses include:

• Language, Reading, and Concept Development: This course provides an understanding of typical and atypical language development within the first eight years. This includes the language learning process of oral, written, bilingual, and second language learning.
• Assessment of Children with Special Needs and Diverse Abilities: This course focuses on how to test children who may have different learning abilities than the typical child.

Licensure & Certification in Child Development

In order to obtain a job in child development there are not any required certifications or licenses, but there are a number of child development licensures that can be acquired for those seeking to boost their education or professional standing. Licensure may be suitable for someone who already has a master's degree in a similar field but wishes to specialize in child development. For example, a post-master's early childhood education licensure program will provide the knowledge prospective teachers need to be able to educate children from birth to second grade. There are also various teaching licenses that must be obtained before educating any children; however, the requirements vary from state to state so it is important to check with each state's department of education.

Child development is often a concentration itself offered in a broader master's program, such as a master's in child and family studies. Concentrations within a master's in child development program offer a more specialized curriculum but may be more difficult to find. Some of the concentrations that may be available to choose from include:

• Child Development, Health, and Psychology
• Child Life Concentration
• Children with Special Needs Concentration
• 21st Century Literacies: Media and Technology
• Infancy Concentration
• Leadership and Advocacy
• Child and Family Policy Concentration

There may also be options to choose special tracks depending on the university. For example, students may be able to choose from early childhood track focusing on development in the early childhood stage, or they may choose an adolescent track, which focuses on the development of adolescent children. Additionally, some programs offer students the ability to major in child development and choose between a track that focuses on research and culminates in a thesis or a track that prepares them for a professional career in the field.

After obtaining a master's degree in child development there are a few options for post-graduate opportunities in child development and family studies graduate programs. For example, a graduate may decide to pursue their PhD or EdD in Education. A Doctor of Education (EdD) focuses on educating professionals who want to obtain leadership positions within their career. The PhD program prepares students for research and teaching roles in education.

There are many child development career options after obtaining a master's degree. Graduates can decide whether they would rather focus on educating children or educating other adults on child development. If a graduate decides to focus on educating children, they could obtain jobs such as a teacher, childcare center director, or youth advocate. If a graduate decides to focus on adult education they can obtain a job as a parent educator or educating other professionals on child development at the community college level. Graduates can also choose to become a child development associate.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Child Development

The job outlook for those obtaining a master's in child development depends on which career route is chosen. For example, for graduates interested in working with children, according to the BLS, childcare workers have a job growth rate of 2%. While job growth is positive, it is slower than the average job growth rate for all jobs, which is 4%. For graduates choosing to educate professionals in child development, according to the BLS, postsecondary teachers have a job growth rate of 9%, which is higher than the job growth rate for all jobs. Job growth is calculated for the decade from 2019-2029.

How to Become a Child Development Teacher

A child development teacher is someone who educates adult students on the growth and development of children at the postsecondary level. Child development teachers must obtain a minimum of a master's degree in order to teach at the community college level, and a doctorate degree in order to teach at an undergraduate university. Each state has different teaching requirements for certifications and licenses, so it is important to check the necessary credentials needed in addition to the degree obtained. The BLS states that people who have good critical-thinking, interpersonal, speaking, and writing skills would thrive as a child development postsecondary teacher. Additionally, the BLS lists the median annual wage for postsecondary teachers at $80,790 as of May 2020. This is greater than the median annual wage for all jobs, which is $41,950.

How to Become a Child Development Specialist

A child development specialist is a person who determines a child's physical and psychological needs, designs a plan for therapy, and documents the child's progress. There are many places at which a child development specialist could be employed, such as a school or other childcare facility, a hospital, or a clinic. According to the BLS, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists had a median annual wage of $79,820 in May 2020. This is higher than the median annual wage for all jobs. Additionally, the BLS states that people who have good integrity and patience, as well as analytical, communication, interpersonal, observational, and problem-solving skills would be well-suited for a job as a child development specialist.

People who are considering a child development master's degree should also consider what financial aid and scholarship resources are available. The most prominent financial aid service is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA provides students with need-based and merit-based financial aid opportunities to eligible students. These opportunities may include loans, grants, and scholarships, depending on what the student is eligible for. The application deadline for this opportunity is generally the June prior to the fall of enrollment. There are also many other scholarships available from other organizations. For example, students residing in Massachusetts can apply for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program, which awards up to $9,000 for currently employed educators that wish to enroll in a degree program.