Online Master’s Programs in Child Development and Family Studies

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.

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 practicums 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 the Child 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.

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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/ReimbursementMaster’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 reimbursements greater than $5,250.
• Federal Grants and LoansMaster’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 AssistantshipsColleges 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.

Scholarships for Master’s in Child Development and Family Studies Students

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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.

• Child Welfare League of America: Established in 1920, CWLA is a coalition of public and private agencies that serve children and vulnerable families. The organization creates programmatic standards of excellence and plays a role in shaping childcare and early education across the country. The organization offers conferences and training workshops for interested professionals who wish to improve their existing skill set to better serve children, families, and communities.
• HighScope: This research-focused organization strives to improve early childhood education practices and policies that ultimately benefit families, children, and their communities. HighScope’s website features a free membership area that includes information on the best teaching practices and activities based on research from childhood development experts. Members also receive full-text access to archived articles and issues from HighScope’s Journal for Early Educators.
• National Association for Family Child Care: Established in 1982, NAFCC is a national professional association that endeavors to improve early childhood learning experiences and family childcare programs. Registered members receive access to online webinars, professional development opportunities, monthly newsletters, and interactive online course materials.
• National Black Child Development Institute: NBCDI is a national organization dedicated to the well-being and success of black children and their families. Members receive numerous opportunities to make a positive impact on children’s lives. NBCDI provides access to professional development resources, exclusive online articles, and leadership development opportunities.
• Society for Research in Child Development: SRCD is a research-focused society that works to advance developmental science and research on childhood learning processes. Members gain access to professional advancement opportunities, awards, mentorship programs, and fellowships. Additionally, the society keeps its members up-to-date in the field with a peer-reviewed academic journal, biennial meetings, and online forums.