Best Online Bachelor's in Child Development

Study.com has examined relevant data and reviewed the program choices at hundreds of schools to compile a list of the top online programs leading to a bachelor's degree in child development. We used information from the Department of Education along with our own analysis of what makes particular programs stand out like flexible structures, internship opportunities, and perspectives on how children learn and grow. If you're hoping to earn a degree in child development online, any of the options below would be a great choice.

1. Concordia University - Saint Paul

The online child development program at Concordia University-Saint Paul prepares students for success through coursework that meets the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young People. Before they earn their Bachelor of Arts in Child Development, students complete coursework on early education theories and methods, and they also gain practical experience through fieldwork including classroom observations and interviews with current practitioners. This flexible program caters to busy adults who need to schedule their coursework around their other obligations, and classes are structured in convenient seven-week formats. The university proudly notes that 95% of graduates obtain employment offers within a year of completing their degrees.

2. Central Michigan University

Through its Global Campus program, Central Michigan University offers a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Development and Learning. Courses cover infant and toddler development, teaching methods applicable to young children, and program administration, and the curriculum meets the requirements of the Michigan Department of Education for early childhood education. In addition, students complete a practicum experience with infants and toddlers and a capstone course to gain valuable teaching experience. The university strives to make its online programs affordable and accessible, and students who are already working as early childhood educators may be eligible for tuition assistance through the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children.

3. Appalachian State University

Child development students at Appalachian State University enjoy a flexible program that can be completed part-time with six to eight credit hours each semester and has classes offered year-round. Leading to a Bachelor of Science in Child Development-Birth Through Kindergarten, the program incorporates both synchronous courses and classes that can be completed at students' convenience. In addition to coursework, students prepare for their careers with clinical internships as student teachers in placements throughout the state of North Carolina. The university prides itself on its online programs' incorporation of cutting-edge educational technology, and education graduates have obtained placements in every county within the state.

4. West Virginia University

Prospective educators can earn a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies through an online program at West Virginia University. The curriculum is closely aligned with standards set by national and state agencies and prepares students for certification as PreK educators. Through its incorporation of the family studies discipline, students take courses in family dynamics and parenting in addition to traditional education classes, giving them a better understanding of child development and how children learn. What sets the university apart is its commitment to supporting students. The school helps students connect with a personal coach to handle the admissions and enrollment processes from the beginning of their academic careers. Online students also have access to a wealth of services including tutoring, tech support, and mental health support.

5. Western Michigan University

Leading to a Bachelor of Science, the Child and Family Development program at Western Michigan University prepares students to work with children in a range of settings and are eligible to become Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE). The university strives to serve students from a range of academic backgrounds and is recognized as being accommodating to community college transfer students. Working students receiving tuition reimbursements may be able to benefit from the school's deferred payment program with the goal of making college affordable. The degree plan's flexible structure allows students to take all classes online or to choose in-person learning for some classes, and students also get practical, hands-on experience through internships in the field.

6. Point University

Point University's Bachelor of Science in Child Development program emphasizes the development of the whole child, including cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of growth. Throughout the curriculum, the school's Christian perspective shines through, and, upon graduation, students can apply for early education certification through the Association of Christian Schools International. Fully online course delivery means students can work through their 120 credit hours of study at their own pace and up to 75% of those credit hours can be transferred in from another college or university. Students at Point University enjoy small classes with an average 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio, adding to the strong sense of community felt throughout the school.

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Online Associate Degrees in Child Development

Online associate degrees in child development or early childhood education are usually an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, though there are some Associate of Science (AS) options. These programs normally require approximately 60 credit hours to complete, with up to around half of that being in general education courses, and a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Graduates with these degrees cover key topics in the field including how to promote language, literacy and social skills, apply knowledge and theories of child development, and assess student progress to inform curriculum and instruction. These degrees may conclude with a final internship or project requiring hands-on work and take as long as two years to complete.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Child Development

Students can also earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in child development. There are more options for specialization at this level than in associate degree programs. Bachelor's degrees in this field normally require about double the number of credit hours for an associate's degree, meaning students must finish roughly 120 credit hours. There are also usually minimum grade point average requirements. Graduates from these programs mix research, theory and fieldwork in their classes, which may use standards set by organizations like the National Council on Family Relations or the Child Development Council. In these classes, students learn about topics such as the physical, cognitive and social development of children and how families operate and change. These programs frequently end with a senior experience that takes the form of a capstone project, practicum, or internship.

Online Master's Degrees in Child Development

Online Master's degrees in child development become much more specialized than their undergraduate counterparts. Master's students focus on specific areas of child development like child psychology or early childhood education when earning either a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS). These degrees provide training that can help students with career advancement by concentrating on various subjects within childhood development. Earning a master's in this field normally takes between 30 and 40 credit hours. Completion of these programs may require writing a thesis. It typically takes about two years to get this degree.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Child Development

Fewer options exist for obtaining a doctoral degree in child development, especially online, though prospective candidates still have some choices. These programs focus on applied research in the field. Again, these become increasingly specialized in topics like child psychology or early childhood education. Those who wish to become administrators in schools or teachers at colleges might consider these degrees, as well as consultants or researchers looking to boost their careers. These degrees can require between 40 and 90 credit hours to complete, including a dissertation. It usually takes at least a few years to earn a doctoral degree in child development.

Online Certificates in Child Development

For those wanting to get to work as soon as possible, an online certificate in child development may be the best option. These programs look to cover the subjects covered in a bachelor's degree in child development in a much shorter amount of time. Individuals can obtain these certificates in as little as a few months, allowing them to rapidly get jobs in schools, government agencies, hospitals, community service agencies, child care centers, and other facilities.

As previously mentioned, there are numerous areas students can focus on when earning a degree in child development. This is particularly the case at the bachelor's level and postgraduate levels, where students are required to choose a specialization or concentration area to better learn the skills needed for a particular segment of this field. Common specializations or degree tracks include:

• Early childhood development
• Family life education
• Youth development
• Child and adolescent development
• Child life specialist
• School psychology
• Family studies

To earn an online bachelor's degree in child development, students must complete a number of required and elective courses at most schools, in addition to fulfilling general education requirements. There are also a variety of free online classes in child development offered by various institutions, but it's important to note that these typically don't lead to a degree. Depending on the school and specialization, required courses may have titles like:

• Children in the global community
• Vulnerable child: theory and practice
• Case studies in child development
• Infant and child nutrition
• Language development in children
• Child psychology
• Adolescent psychology
• Human development through the lifespan
• Interpersonal relationships
• Infant and toddler development

There is almost always some culminating capstone like a field experience or practicum to earn a bachelor's degree in this subject.

On-campus, hybrid and online programs in child development typically take about four years to complete, though the online option arguably offers the most flexibility. These degrees usually require at least 120 credit hours to earn, with most colleges recommending students take around 15 credit hours or four to six classes a semester. Online degree programs, however, give students options to earn their degree a little faster. Some colleges allow students to transfer other credits, enabling them to bypass many of the general education requirements that take one or two years to complete in most cases. Other schools offer shorter, more intense courses lasting a few weeks per class; these can help you earn your degree a little faster. Online programs can also be self-paced, meaning students can complete an online bachelor's degree in child development as quickly as they can absorb the material.

Accreditation in online child development degrees is of paramount importance. As a graduate of one of these programs, students will be educating, nurturing, and taking care of children, and parents want to know they can trust the people doing that work. As such, employers typically want to know if the school potential employees graduated from is an accredited one. Regional, school-wide accreditation is offered by one of seven accrediting bodies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). School-wide accreditation is required to receive federal financial aid and may be a prerequisite for some licenses and certifications.

In addition to school accreditation, programs in this field can be accredited by a few, prominent national organizations in child development. Among the most nationally recognized organization is the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which has rigorous and clearly defined requirements for a program to earn accreditation. The Child Development Council and National Council on Family Relations represent two other prominent organizations that offer a stamp of approval on child development-related degree programs.

Many careers in child development require individuals to get a license or certification. The government also requires many child care facilities to get licensed. If one is seeking to become an educator, state governments will require that person to obtain a teacher's license in one form or another. Another example would be a child psychologist, who must also obtain a license from the state he or she is practicing in. Requirements and the application process varies from state to state. Even if one's chosen profession in child development does not require licensure or certification, some form of individual accreditation can be critical for obtaining employment or advancing in one's chosen field. Many of the same organizations that offer accreditation for degree programs do the same for individuals. Another major accreditation organization is the Council for Professional Recognition, which specifically offers a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Some states, depending on the job, require individuals to obtain this certification as a condition of employment.

Given the wide range of specialization options in degree programs, it is no surprise that there are a number of career options in child development. These vary in sophistication from child daycare service providers to child psychologists. Other possible job titles with this degree include:

• Preschool or daycare teacher
• Assistant teacher
• In-home childcare manager
• Preschool director
• Child development teacher
• Early childhood teacher
• Counselor
• Child development specialist
• Case manager
• Administrator in community service organizations

How to Become an Early Childhood Teacher

Becoming an early childhood teacher starts with obtaining a degree in your field with a specialization in early childhood education or a similar concentration. State laws governing what level of degree individuals must obtain to become an early childhood teacher vary by state, so it is important for people seeking to enter this career field to familiarize themselves with the requirements of their state. Once a prospective early childhood teacher graduates, which usually involves some sort of student teaching, that person must then get their teacher's license for the state they desire to work in. Again, the requirements and application process for this varies based on the state.

These teachers have a range of responsibilities that include creating a safe and developmentally appropriate environment in which children can learn a variety of social, emotional and cognitive skills. This involves lesson planning, conducting classes, interacting with parents, assessing students and more. According to 2019 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), teachers in early education typically earn a median salary of $30,520, for example. The job outlook for these teachers is below average at 2 percent.

How to Become a School Psychologist

Individuals with a degree in child development have the opportunity to continue their education and become psychologists specializing in fields like developmental psychology or school psychology. School psychologists need at least an advanced degree like an education specialist degree (EdS) and a combination of certification or licensure. Of course, they can also obtain a traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. Like teachers, psychologists must be certified by the state board in which they work, and the requirements change from state to state, but psychologists commonly must pass an exam and have at least some time of supervised professional experience.

Once all that is done, an individual can get to work as a school psychologist, applying psychological theories and techniques to topics specific to education. These can include developmental disorders and behavioral problems, which the school psychologist will look to address using a plan they design, implement and evaluate, sometimes in partnership with other educators. The median annual salary for school psychologists is $78,200, and employment is expected to grow at approximately the average rate of 3 percent over this decade, according to the BLS.

To begin searching for financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application allows students to see what, if any, federal loans, grants or work-study requests they may qualify for. Completing the FAFSA is a fairly involved process that may require a host of documents including the applicant's social security number, parents' social security numbers, driver's license number and federal tax information for you, your spouse, if you are married, and your parents, if you are a dependent student.

In addition to federal monies, child development students have a bevy of school-specific and private scholarships that they can apply for, most of which are need- or merit-based. It can be helpful to use scholarship search tools like the ones listed by the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center to help find the best ones to put the time and effort into competing for.

Child Development offers myriad opportunities for career advancement, especially in educational jobs related to child development. This often takes the form of professional development offered by employers or organizations and can include getting more credentials in particular subjects. Professional development may involve workshops, conferences and other training delivery mechanisms. Another extremely common way individuals advance their careers in child development is by earning advanced degrees or certificates like the ones described previously, as these are often a requirement for top positions like coordinating or administrating roles.

Professional organizations in child development abound, and several of the largest ones have already been referenced here. These groups provide professional development opportunities, career help and networking opportunities to people in this field. Examples of professional organizations in this field include:

• The National Association for Family Child Care - The NAFCC's mission is 'to support and leverage a nationwide network of providers and partners in expanding and promoting the power of family care.' Founded in 1982, it is the only national professional association whose aim is to promote high-quality early childhood experiences in child care programs. Individuals, groups, and businesses can all become members.
• The Division for Early Childhood - The DEC exists to promote policies and advance proven practices that benefit families and the development of children age 8 and younger who are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Started in 1973 by a group of volunteers, the DEC is one of 17 divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children. To become a DEC member, individuals must first become a member of CEC.
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children - NAEYC is a professional membership organization that promotes high-quality learning for all children from birth through age 8. To become one of its more than 60,000 members, early learning professionals simply need to sign up online.