Child Development

Overview

Child development programs teach people how children grow and learn.

Child development programs include topics such as:

Social and biological factors that affect child development
Planning and design of related human services
Parent-child relations
Special needs of children
External support services
Public policy issues

Child development programs prepare students for a wide range of work in elementary schools, day care centers, and agencies that research child and family issues.

Schools

Many community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in child development. A certificate program usually takes a year of full-time study. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years to complete.

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in child development. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study.

A few universities offer master's degrees in child development. A master's degree typically takes two years beyond the bachelor's degree to complete. At the graduate level, child development might be offered as a concentration in a developmental psychology program.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Child Development and Parenting
Family Living
Probability and Statistics
Psychology
Social Science
Social Science Research
Sociology

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Behavioral Patterns and Problems
Child Development Theories
Child Safety, Health, and Nutrition
Children and Stress
Children's Communication
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Development in Infancy and Early Childhood
Development in Middle Childhood and Adolescence
Early Childhood Education
Exceptional Children
Foundations of Child Development
Guidance: Managing the Physical and Social Environment
Introduction to Disabilities
Marriage and Family: Roles and Relationships
Motor Development
Parent-Child Relations
Preschool Development and Learning
Psychodynamics of the Family Structure
Public Policies
Research Methods

Some programs also offer practicums or internships as part of their curriculum. Because this program of study is broad, participating in a practicum gives you hands-on experience in the aspect of child development that most interests you.

If you want to teach children, you might be able to assist an elementary school teacher. If you want to conduct research, you might be able to do so at an organization for children's welfare. You also get the benefit of working under the supervision and guidance of an experienced child development professional.

Things to Know

The broad nature of this program of study invites you to combine your studies with other interests, such as teaching, public policy, or community service. Many programs offer ways to combine a degree program in child development with, for example, earning a teacher's credential.

East Side Area

Big Bend Community College

Child Development Associate
Early Childhood Education--Infants and Toddlers

Central Washington University

Child Development Certificate
Family and Consumer Sciences--Family and Child Life

Walla Walla Community College

Early Childhood Education--Family Child Care
Early Childhood Education--Infants and Toddlers
Early Childhood Education--School Age Care

Washington State University - Pullman

Human Development--Early Childhood Education

Wenatchee Valley College

Early Childhood Education--Family Child Care
Early Childhood Education--General
Early Childhood Education--Infants and Toddlers
Early Childhood Education--School Age Child Care
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate for Home Visiting & Family Engagement

Wenatchee Valley College (Omak Campus)

Early Childhood Education--Family Child Care
Early Childhood Education--General
Early Childhood Education--Infants and Toddlers
Early Childhood Education--School Age Child Care
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate for Home Visiting & Family Engagement