2026 Best Online Child Development Degrees

I just (literally 3 weeks ago) graduated from Walden with my BS degree in Psychology. I love the school and the course work. If you're a person that needs constant attention and help this school is probably not for you, because you really have to work at your own pace and independently to complete task or coursework majority of the time. Seeing as I worked full time while trying to obtain my degree, this was right up my alley! My thing is college is not hard--no matter what school you attend as long... Read More as you know how to follow directions and turn papers and discussion boards in on time-you'll do fine. If not......then you won't. (shrugs) This school is VERY expensive, but to work and your own pace on your own time it was worth it to me.

I have had the best school experience at University of Phoenix. My academic and financial advisor were top notch and contacted me every few weeks just to check on me. However, I would contact either of them if there were any issues or just to touch base also. I naturally reach out to people. I naturally develop relationships. So perhaps my natural tendency to build relationships with people, has helped me in this environment. During my associates degree, I had the absolute best teachers! I think... Read More I only had one really rotten one. However, in my Bachelors program, I had a few really great teachers and the rest were at best, mediocre. They did what they needed to do or they graded absurdly harsh and nitpicked every single thing in a paper. I actually had a teacher count me off because I did not actually put the words "Introduction" and "Conclusion" on slides for a PowerPoint presentation. Instead, I had titled the slides "In the beginning" and "What Did We Learn" respectively. I sort of thought it was obvious that the first and last slides were what they were. But whatever. I also had a teacher give me a flat out zero on a presentation because I used animations that brought the content together on the slide and she refused to watch it in slide show mode. I was able to refute the grade and file a grievance and I ended up with an A but it was a hassle. I agree that there are not a lot of procedures in place if there is an issue or problem with a teacher. At a school you physically attend, there are actually people you can speak with face-to-face and better, more fully developed escalation of ways to resolve issues. The learning team experience was WONDERFUL! I got the absolute best team in my first Bachelor's class. We clicked so well that we submitted "Follow-A-Friend" requests with each of our advisors and we stayed together for the entire Bachelor's program. While I never met any of them, I have stayed in touch and I consider them to be genuine friends. We spoke quite often outside of the classroom experience and we were always able to count on each other. If you get a great teammate in a learning team, DO request that you follow each other. It makes ALL the difference in the learning team. Within a few classes, you will have your dream team and you will wonder what all the fuss with learning teams is. :) My biggest complaint is that because the classes are so short, I did not feel that I was able to truly immerse myself as fully as I may have liked to. However, the shorter classes were wonderful when you were taking something like statistics that I absolutely hate anyway! Just to give a little background: Getting my degrees (Associates and then Bachelors) was not exactly a cake walk. The amount of work that is required is substantial in that you must participate in writing and not just by turning in papers like a brick and mortar school. I also had two deaths in my family (grandparents) within a few weeks of each other during the middle of my Associates program and my husband and I split up over the stress of it all for a few months. I was basically a single Mom going to school full time during those months. During the end of that program, I found out I was pregnant and gave birth extremely early to a tiny baby with a congenital heart defect that had to have open heart surgery almost immediately after birth. She suffered from 10 strokes during her open heart surgery and other complications that kept us in the Children's Hospital here for almost 6 months. Thanks to the flexibility of University of Phoenix's online program, I was able to stay in school and not withdraw. Instead of starting my Master's program in a few weeks, I would be still attempting to finish an Associates program if I were having to take classes in a classroom and show up a couple of times a week in person. As it was, I was able to continue with no breaks and just keep my laptop with me. When she slept, which she did quite often because she was so ill and fighting for her life, I would do my assignments and participation. I am not going to say that I made the best grades I could have but I did the very best I could under my circumstances and I did NOT give up. Neither did my baby, by the way, she is now a happy, healthy, little stinker of a toddler and she has been our biggest blessing! Online school is not for everyone and not every online school will be the perfect fit. If you are curious, try it and see. Univ. of Phoenix is quite expensive but it was the right choice for me and I have had only wonderful experiences. I DO feel that I can have academic conversations with people about many subjects. As a result of an elective class I took, Creative Writing, I began writing outside of the classroom and have now had a story I wrote published! I feel like, despite of taking all online classes, I got a fairly well-rounded degree (Hint: choose electives that broaden your learning experience of develop skills you would like to work on - such as my creative writing class). In general, life is what you make it. Seek out additional resources. If a subject you are taking interests you, pursue it further. Learning happens both in and out of a classroom.

I have been surprised at the negative comments about Saint Leo. The core values and excellent instructors made this school more than just a degree. For me, the experience as an adult learner was invaluable. The classes were engaging. I never had an issue when/if I needed helped. However the instructors are not there to hold your hand. The expectation is you learn material and keep up with the syllabus. If not it is really sink or swim. My education has made doors open for graduate school. If Saint... Read More Leo offered a Master degree in my field I'd go there again, over any school. Go Lions!

The University of Cincinnati, with its inner city environment, has many career opportunities for students. There are many internships and co-ops associated with the school. There is a large and growing number of clubs, activities, and other groups for on campus events and organizations and also for the Cincinnati community. Personally, I was involved in teacher assisting which allowed me to gain benefical networks with professors. There are many opportunities for undergraduate research in the field... Read More of Psychology. However, the inner city environment does come with a safety factor. The university does have a number of break ins and crime each year. Despite this, for a large campus I felt very close to the professors and students and my overall experience was one based on community and strive for quality education.

USC was an amazing school. Classes were difficult and rigorous which prepared me really well for graduate school. Most classes had a literature review aspect, usually in the form of a research essay which was helpful when writing my own research articles in undergrad and grad school. Additionally, while most of the classes were lecture based, the lectures were interesting and went into more depth than the textbook would cover. I took gerontology and occupational therapy classes which allowed me to... Read More integrate psychological principles into new areas of study. Overall, the academics were exactly what I needed to succeed in grad school.

McPherson College is a great school to attend and being involved in a tight-knitted community of other students and faculty is something you will not regret! You're welcome at the school following your graduation is greatly appreciated, not to mention the fun alumni events that take place. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience furthering my education with such knowledgeable and relatable professors who have your best interest in mind at all times. If you are interested in continuing your... Read More athletic career, this is a great school for this! Not only does the school participate in a competitive atmosphere within the NAIA Division II league, but the students at the school are greatly spirited and enthusiastic making the sports culture all that more exciting.