2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Child Development

Capella University is a private, for-profit institution offering an online Master of Science in Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, totaling 53 credit hours. It can take full-time students less than 15 months to complete this degree online. Students can choose FlexPath and GuidedPath if they want a self-paced or more structured degree program.

Capella facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Blackboard. The program uses a competency-based learning model to help students learn and develop valuable skills for their future careers. Sample courses include Lifespan Development, Child Psychology, and Human Prenatal Development. An integrative project is required for graduation. Prospective careers include child protective services managers, intervention advocates, and child care specialists.

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU Online) is a private, nonprofit university with an online Master of Science in Psychology - Child & Developmental Psychology, requiring 36 credit hours. Prospective students can expect to spend two years completing this program. The program is split into 24 major credit hours and 12 concentration hours.

At SNHU Online, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on D2L Brightspace. The Child & Developmental concentration lets students expand their knowledge in psychology by honing in on the growth and development of children. Some of the program’s online courses are Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, and Intervention Strategies. Students must complete a capstone course. Graduates may work in child welfare agencies, schools, and group homes.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private, nonprofit university that offers an online Master of Science in Developmental Disabilities - Child Life Specialist equaling 30 credit hours. At a minimum, it can take 18 months or more to complete this degree program with a full class load. Students can start this program three times a year, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

At NSU, online students complete courses available asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. This concentration explores different child life practices in pediatric health care. Some of the courses within the concentration are Ethics in Child Life, Death and Dying, and Therapeutic Benefits of Play. A practicum and internship are required. Potential career options include program directors, developmental specialists, and case managers.

At National University (NU) — a private, nonprofit university — future students can pursue an online Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Developmental Psychology totaling 30 credit hours. It can take 16 months or more to finish this degree online, and it comprises ten courses in total.

NU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Blackboard. This program gives students an in-depth look at mental health conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. Sample courses include Ethics in Development Psychology, ADHD and Autistic Spectrum, and Prenatal and Early Childhood Development. A capstone and an internship is required for graduation. Prospective careers for graduates are child care administrators, community outreach coordinators, and parent educators.

At Texas Woman’s University (TWU), a public institution, there are two online master’s in child development: (1) a Master of Science in Child Development (30-31 credit hours) and (2) a Master of Science in Child Life (37 credit hours). Each online graduate degree can be completed within 1-2 years. The child development program offers a thesis or professional option students can select.

At TWU, online students complete courses delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. Both programs help students develop marketable interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills. Example courses are Family Systems in Child Development, Family Crises, and Child Guidance. A practicum, professional portfolio, internship, and final examination may be required. Potential careers include pediatric nutritionists, reading specialists, and child life specialists.

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Youth Development, which requires 36 credit hours. Full-time students can spend two years finishing this program. The degree program comprises 27 credit hours of core courses and nine hours of electives.

At UNL, online students complete courses delivered asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system Canvas. Students learn the knowledge and skills to facilitate youth development across various careers. Sample courses include Youth Mental Health, Youth Development, and Adolescent Health & Sexuality. An independent study, a practicum, a project or thesis, research experience, and scholarly practice and discovery might be required. Prospective careers are extension educators, community recreation leaders, and juvenile correctional officers.

The University of Minnesota - Online (UMN) is a public institution with an online Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development totaling 32 credit hours. Students can take two years to complete this program. This program offers three specializations: (1) Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, (2) Child Life, and (3) Individualized Studies.

UMN’s online students complete courses asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. A master’s in child development explores different theories surrounding growth and development and children. Some of the program’s courses include Cognitive and Biological Development, Social and Emotional Development, and Therapeutic Play in Child Life Practice. Students may be required to complete field experience to graduate. Potential careers include recreation coordinators, child psychologists, and behavioral specialists.

At North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT), a public HBCU, prospective students can pursue an online Master of Arts in Teaching - Child Development, Early Education and Family Studies (Birth-Kindergarten), which requires 30 credit hours. Students may be eligible to enter the Educator Preparation License program.

At NCAT, online students complete coursework delivered asynchronously and synchronously on Blackboard. This degree is designed for students seeking a teaching license in North Carolina. Example courses include Assessment of Learning, The Learner & Learning Environment, and Individual and Family in a Contemporary Society. Students must complete clinical practices to graduate. Graduates may pursue careers such as child care center directors, teachers, and technical assistant specialists.

The University of La Verne, a private and nonprofit university, offers an online Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Development equaling 33 credit hours. It can take 30-42 months, depending on whether the student participates in a part-time or full-time schedule. This online master's program has two concentrations: (1) Early Childhood and (2) Adolescence.

La Verne facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Blackboard. This degree program is for schoolteachers and other professionals looking to advance their expertise in child development. Some of the program’s courses include Teaching Adults, Cognition and Brain Development, and Infant and Toddler Development. Students must complete a graduate seminar. Potential career options include youth advocates, parent educators, and part-time or adjunct teaching positions.

At Adler University, a private and nonprofit institution, future students can pursue an online Master of Arts in Psychology - Child and Adolescent Development requiring 36 credit hours. This program can last as little as a year. Students can expect to complete core coursework in advanced psychology topics, with electives in child development.

Adler’s online students complete courses available on Canvas. The concentration covers learning models and theories on child development. Sample courses include Life Span Development, Multicultural Youth Development, and Juvenile Justice. Students can choose to complete a capstone or thesis for graduation. Prospective careers include child life specialists, mental health professionals, and family support advocates.

Chaminade University of Honolulu (Chaminade) is a private, nonprofit, Marianist institution offering an online Master of Education - Child Development equaling 30 credit hours. Full-time students can complete this program within 18 months. The Child Development concentration comprises core courses, emphasis courses, and electives.

At Chaminade, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on Canvas. This program is for students looking to advance their skills and gain knowledge in child development. Example classes include Issues of Peace, Justice, and Educational Reform, Cognitive Development Theory to Practice, and Social-Emotional Development. Students are required to complete educational research. Graduates may pursue careers such as child psychologists, early childhood education consultants, and youth counselors.

Erikson Institute is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Master of Science in Child Development, totaling 33-41 credit hours. The program can take 2-3 years to complete depending on a student's part- or full-time status. The child development master's program has three specialized pathways: (1) Child Life, (2) Core, and (3) Infancy.

Erikson’s online students complete coursework available asynchronously and synchronously on the learning management system Blackboard. This graduate program requires students to intern for at least 15 hours a week for two semesters. Some of the program’s courses include Family and Culture, Adult Education and Supervision, and Language Development. For graduation, an internship, a seminar, and a comprehensive examination are required. Prospective careers include child life specialists, program directors, and home-visiting supervisors.