Online Master's Programs In Child Development And Family Studies (2024)

What You'll Learn and Career Potential

Students who pursue a master's in child development and family studies online prepare for exciting and lucrative careers as therapists, counselors, social workers, researchers, and educators. In these specialized programs, students develop the necessary skills to provide diverse, valuable services to strengthen families and support children during important years of their development.

Affordable Colleges Online provides easy access to a plethora of useful resources that benefit individuals who currently work in child development and family studies, as well as prospective students. In the guide below, we offer insight into the steps you must take to complete a master's in child development and family studies degree online. Furthermore, we consider potential ways for students to pay for their degree, common career paths for master's degree-holders, and how much students can expect to earn upon graduation.

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What Can I Learn in an Online Master's in Child Development and Family Studies Program?

By earning a master's in child development and family studies online, students develop the interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, emotional, and communication skills necessary to work with children, parents, and families. Pupils in these graduate programs can move on to careers as parent educators, child development specialists, behavior specialists, and a variety of specialized positions as educators.

Graduate programs allow degree-seekers to focus on a specialized area in their field. Upon program completion, master's degree-holders can obtain research-focused and hands-on careers, many of which center on specialized training. Alternatively, some master's learners in these programs develop advanced advising and counseling skills to work with parents and students in school settings.

Online child development and family studies students receive the same type of training and complete similar coursework as on-campus students. Whether online or in-person, master's students in this field typically complete an internship, practicum, or other hands-on experience to meet graduation requirements.

What Courses Are Offered in a Master's in Child Development and Family Studies Program?

Required and available elective courses vary between child development and family studies master's programs. All curricula, however, cover similar foundational classes for master's students in this field. In the section below, we offer five course titles and descriptions to give prospective master's students a general idea of the coursework they may encounter when pursuing this degree.

• Cultural Awareness and Family Engagement

  In this class, learners explore the ways in which community, culture, and family life influence child development. Pupils learn to understand factors that put children at risk and identify resources to remedy the situation. This class typically includes a field practicum for hands-on experience. Depending on the school, students may need to pass a background check to enroll.

• Advanced Methods and Instructional Programs

  In this class, professors teach master's students about the historical, educational, and legal foundations of English immersion programs, as well as learning environments for native English speakers. Students examine theoretical principles of learning processes, language acquisition, and cultural influences on information retention. This class usually involves a hands-on practicum experience and requires students to pass a fingerprint or background check.

• Early Learners, Health, and Safety

  In this class, students explore child development processes and early physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Master's students discuss the nutrition, health, and safety needs of young children, as well as how teachers and authority figures can foster healthy and nurturing environments. Students typically engage with case studies and current academic research for the most up-to-date information and practices.

• Family Studies and Practical Theory

  Students in this course examine contemporary theoretical models of family life, learning, and problem-solving. Students explore popular case studies and critical reading assignments that help them evaluate theory-based research models on family studies. The class includes methods for applying theoretical research to family intervention practices and education.

• Field Practicum and Student Teaching

  Depending on the program, students may engage in hands-on learning opportunities in schools, community programs, or other settings. Such practic*ms may include supervised one-on-one meetings. Programs which lead to teaching licensure may require learners to complete student teaching sessions to gain in-person classroom experience.

What Exams or Projects Should I Expect?

Learners in master's in child development and family studies online programs typically complete a traditional thesis or capstone project for graduation. Depending on the program, some schools require graduate pupils to complete a practicum or intensive internship. Alternatively, some schools require graduate learners to pass a comprehensive exam to graduate.

Child development and family studies master's programs can also prepare students to sit for theChild Life Professional Certification Examination after graduation. This is not a required exam, nor is there one particular exam that professionals must pass to work in the field.

How Much Can I Make With a Career in Child Development and Family Studies?

Master's of child development and family studies programs prepare students for a variety of careers in education, counseling, and social services. The below table provides job descriptions and median annual salaries for popular careers for degree-holders. A master's degree does not necessarily guarantee a particular salary, as compensation varies between positions.

Social and Community Service Managers

Median Salary: $65,320
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 13%

These professionals develop, coordinate, and supervise social service programs in their communities. They often work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, and government agencies. These managers must possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills to work with community members and oversee the administrative duties of various community projects. These professionals may also need to apply for grants and other sources of funding for social and community projects.

Preschool and Childcare Center Directors

Median Salary: $47,940
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 7%

Directors in these roles typically supervise staff members, design student curricula and program plans, oversee daily school activities, and manage school or childcare center budgets. These professionals may also create school or center policies and serve as liaisons between parents and staff members. Directors need excellent communication and organizational skills.

Early Childhood Educators and Preschool Teachers

Median Salary: $29,780
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 7%

Teachers in these roles educate and care for young students in preschool or kindergarten. They work in a variety of educational settings, including public and private schools and childcare facilities. Depending on a teacher's graduate training and desired employment location, master's degree-holders may need to obtain a state-certified teaching credential.

Online Master's in Child Development and Family Studies Program Accreditation

Students interested in a master's in child development and family studies should seek out schools with regional accreditation. Many state licensing boards, including for counseling and education, require candidates to have a degree from a regionally accredited school.

Programmatic accreditation applies to particular departments or degrees in a given school. Not all programs have programmatic accreditation, and it may not be mandatory for state licensing (depending on desired career and state of residence). Programmatic accreditation in this field may come from associations such as the American Psychological Association, American Association of Family and Consumer Services, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the National Council on Family Relations.

How to Pay for a Master's in Child Development and Family Studies Degree

Students in child development and family studies master's programs can seek funding for their education both inside and outside their department. Some colleges and universities offer internal funding opportunities or stipends. Alternatively, graduate students can secure funding for their degree from outside sources in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships.

• Employer Assistance/Reimbursem*nt

  Master's degree-seekers can sometimes receive funding from their employer to put toward their education per year. The employer may exclude this amount from the employee's income each year. Students must pay taxes on reimbursem*nts greater than $5,250.

• Federal Grants and Loans

  Master's students can apply for several federal grant programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant. Grant recipients do not need to repay the money they receive from the government. Alternatively, students can pursue federal student loans, such as the direct subsidized or unsubsidized loan or direct plus loan. However, students must repay the loan with interest.

• Graduate Assistantships

  Colleges and universities may offer graduate students assistantships that help students offset tuition and living expenses. Master's students usually provide 10-20 hours of work for the university each week in exchange for this compensation. Master's students interested in an assistantship might need to submit a separate application each academic year.

Professional Organizations and Resources

Students and professionals benefit from membership in academic and professional organizations. In many cases, these associations provide their members access to exclusive online resources, networking opportunities, and occasions to share research and publications. Members can take advantage of features such as online chat boards, mentorship programs, continuing education opportunities, and annual conferences.

Online Master's in Child Development and Family Studies Programs 2022