A master’s in child development degree teaches students how to understand the cognitive, intellectual, physical, and emotional development of children. By enrolling in a master’s in child development online degree, students will become experts in the development of children and will be able to use this knowledge to better the lives of young people. If you’re asking “What can I do with a master’s in child development?” graduates can work as child life specialists, kindergarten teachers, curriculum designers, and more.
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Top Affordable Master’s in Child Development: Methodology
For students who want to pursue one of the top master’s degrees in child development, or who are asking “What can I do with a master’s in child development?”, we have compiled a list of the top programs available both online and on campus. These programs have been selected for this ranking based upon a scoring system that takes into account the cost of tuition and the length of the program. All of these programs have been accredited by nationally recognized accreditation boards and have had their nonprofit status verified. The programs are ordered from highest to lowest score. Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit, and individual programs may have additional fees.
Ranking the Top Master’s in Child Development Online and On Campus Programs Available
#1. University of Alabama at Birmingham
Online Master of Arts in Elementary Education
Birmingham, Alabama
Students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham can enroll in the school’s Online Master of Arts in Elementary Education degree. This online master’s in child development degree helps students to learn the education skills needed to work with young students. To complete this master’s degree in child development, students must earn a total of 30 credit hours. The University of Alabama has received accreditation for this master’s in child development from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students can expect to complete this program in under two years. Courses in this master’s in child development online include Guiding Early/Elementary Pupil Learning, Early Childhood and Elementary School Curriculum, and more. This program is one of the top master’s degrees in child development.
Tuition: $12,600
Score: 100
#2. University of South Florida
Online Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health
Tampa, Florida
University of South Florida students can choose to enroll in this Online Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health degree. A total of 39 credit hours are needed to complete this master’s degree in child development. The University of South Florida has received accreditation for this master’s in child development from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This online master in child development is designed to be able to be completed within two years. This online degree teaches students how to assess the various conditions that can affect a child’s growth.
Tuition: $13,533
Score: 99.75
#3. University of South Alabama
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Mobile, Alabama
This Master of Education in Early Childhood Education degree is offered to students at the University of South Alabama. This program is one of the top master’s degrees in child development. Through the pursuit of this master’s in child development online program, students will deepen their understanding of the skills and techniques needed to work with and educate young children. A total of 30 credit hours are needed to complete this master’s in child development. The University of South Alabama has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Courses in this program include Elementary School Curriculum, Instructional Planning in the Elementary School, Language Development in the Elementary School, and more.
Tuition: $13,533
Score: 99.5
#4. Missouri State University
Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development
Springfield, Missouri
Aspiring Missouri State University students can enroll in this Online Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development degree. This online master in childhood development teaches students the skills needed to work with children to guide them in their education and development. A total of 32 credit hours are needed to complete this program. Missouri State University estimates that students will be able to complete this program in just two years. Are you wondering “What can I do with a master’s in child development?” Students who have earned this master’s in child development have gone on to have careers as childcare directors, higher education researchers, childcare facility inspectors, and more.
Tuition: $19,456
Score: 99.25
#5. Northern Arizona University
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Flagstaff, Arizona
Students can choose to enroll in this Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University. This master’s in child development online is offered in four different concentrations. By choosing to enroll in this master’s in child development online degree program, students will learn how young students intellectually develop and how to foster their intelligence. This program is one of the top master’s degrees in child development. Those who have completed this master’s in child development have had careers as parent educators, childcare administrators, curriculum specialists, and more. A total of 30 credit hours are needed to complete this program. Northern Arizona University has received accreditation for this master’s degree in child development from the Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition: $20,370
Score: 99
#6. University of Dayton
Master of Science in Education – Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy
Dayton, Ohio
The University of Dayton currently offers this Online Master of Science in Education – Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy degree to its students. The University of Dayton has received accreditation for this online master’s in child development from the Higher Learning Commission. A total of 30 credit hours are needed to complete this program of study. Courses offered in this program include Early Childhood Program and Personnel Management, Leadership in Diverse Communities, Becoming a Master Educator, and more. The University of Dayton estimates that students will be able to complete this online master’s in child development in just under two years.
Tuition: $20,550
Score: 98.75
#7. Southern New Hampshire University
Online Master of Science in Psychology in Child Development
Manchester, New Hampshire
Offered entirely online, this Online Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology degree is offered by Southern New Hampshire University. To complete this online master’s in child development, students must earn a total of 36 credit hours. Students in this master’s in child development program will cover a variety of topics, including cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality, learning theory, and more, as they pertain to the development of children. Southern New Hampshire University has received accreditation for this program from the New England Commission of Higher Education. Courses included Theories of Personality, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Child and Developmental Psychology, and more.
Tuition: $22,572
Score: 98.5
#8. Brenau University
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Gainesville, Georgia
Offered at Brenau University, this Master of Education in Early Childhood Education degree is offered to students on-campus. This master’s in child development degree requires a total of 34 credit hours to complete. Brenau University estimates that students will be able to complete this course of study in under two years. Courses in this program of study include Advanced Curriculum Development, Contemporary Issues in Education, Issues in Reading, and much more. This program is one of the top master’s degrees in child development. Brenau University has received accreditation for this master’s degree in child development from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Tuition: $25,228
Score: 98.25
#9. University of La Verne
Online Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Development
La Verne, Colorado
Students at the University of La Verne can enroll in this Online Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Development degree. This online master’s in child development has been designed entirely for the online format. A total of 33 credit hours are needed to complete this master’s in child development online. The University of La Verne estimates that students will be able to complete this degree in as little as 30 months. Those who have completed this program have gone on to leadership roles as child care center directors, parent educators, children’s television producers, and much more. Courses include Motivation in Education, Development Curriculum, Infant and Toddler Development, and Studies in Attachment. The University of La Verne has received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $25,575
Score: 98
Score: 97.5
#10. University of Minnesota
Online Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This Online Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development degree is offered to students by the University of Minnesota. A total of 32 credit hours are needed to complete this master’s in child development online. The University of Minnesota offers this master’s in child development in three different concentrations: Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health, Child Life, and Individualized Studies. The University of Minnesota has received accreditation for this program from the Higher Learning Commission. Courses included Child Life Theory, Early Childhood Assessment, and Current Issues in Applied Child & Adolescent Development. This master’s in child development can be completed in under two years.
Tuition: $46,800
Score: 97.5
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This concludes our ranking of the top master’s in child development
NPCO Staff
