9 Most Affordable Master’s in Child Development Online in 2021

Missouri State University confers an online Master's in Child Development that was built specifically for professionals who are interested in working in social services at an advanced level. This is a 100 percent online program that delivers asynchronous courses through the school's virtual portal. The program can be completed in two years with the full-time study; part-time students often complete the degree in three years. The curriculum discusses policy, social justice, diversity, and research in various forms, enabling students to get a well-rounded look at the field of child development. Students can expect to complete 32 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Programming and Policy Issues for Early Childhood Settings, Children and Families in a Diverse Society, and Inquiry in Early Childhood and Family Development.

Students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro will find a great alternative to the online Master's in Child Development. This is an interdisciplinary synchronous degree that is conferred 100 percent online and focuses on children from the ages of birth to five years old. This degree is open to students who have earned a degree in early childhood education or an allied field. The program has two concentrations, including Childhood Leadership and Program Administration as well as Early Childhood Leadership and Advanced Teaching Licensure. The curriculum is delivered synchronously and can be completed in as little as two years. Both degrees require a portfolio and an oral defense of that portfolio prior to graduation. Other requirements include 37 credit hours of coursework, an internship, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Methods of Educational Research, Advanced Curriculum in Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Family-Centered Practices in Early Childhood.

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln confers a cheap child's development master's degree online. This degree was created for working professionals who have a strong desire to specialize in the field. The program comes with nine different specializations, including Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Child Development/Early Childhood Education. This degree is offered 100 percent online and courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously. The term schedule follows the traditional 16-week format. Students will find that the degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, a thesis or a minor, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Introduction to Advanced Concepts in Youth and Child Development, Research and Evaluation, and Child and Family Studies.

Students at the University of Southern Mississippi will be interested in the school's MS-CFS program. This 100 percent online program was designed specifically for working professionals who don't have the time to go to a traditional program and yet still want to advance their career. This curriculum blends research with theories and experiential learning, ensuring that all students understand the knowledge taught in the curriculum. All courses are delivered asynchronously via the school's virtual portal and in eight-week terms; full-time students can complete all of the requirements with 18 months of full-time study. Students can expect to complete 37 credit hours of coursework, a thesis or creative project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Child and Family Life Education, Adulthood and Aging in the Family System, and Adolescence and the Family System.

The University of South Florida offers students a great alternative to the online child development master's. The school's MSCABH program was designed as an advanced professional degree that will provide professionals with the skills and knowledge they need in order to make an impact on their chosen field. This is a 100 percent online program and all courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously through the school's portal. There are four concentrations for this degree, including Developmental Disabilities, Research and Evaluation, Youth and Behavioral Health, and Leadership in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health. The degree plan also enables students to choose their capstone project: thesis or applied project. The applied project requires a practicum as well as a research project. In addition to the final project, students will need to complete 39 credit hours of coursework as well as a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, Cultural Competency in Children's Mental Health, and Evaluation and Research Methods in Community Health.

Students at the University of Missouri have a great option when it comes to earning an online Master's in Child Development. This degree is based on youth development, giving professionals the chance to work with not just children, but adolescents as well. This 100 percent online program offers three tracks: Youth Development, Gerontology, and Family and Community Services. Each concentration has a choice of a comprehensive exam or practicum, which takes place in a student's community, for the final project requirement. Courses are delivered asynchronously and in a 10-week format; full-time students can complete all the requirements in less than 18 months. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework and a practicum or comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Adolescents and Their Families, Federal and State Policies That Impact Youth Development, Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research.

Students at the University of La Verne are offered a Master's in Child Development that is built to give working professionals an intimate education in this field. This is a 100 percent online program that focuses students on teaching at a community college as well as working in social service agencies. Please note that students must have prior child psychology or educational background experience in order to apply for this program; some students without this requirement may be offered admittance under the condition that they take several prerequisite courses prior to entering the program. Courses are delivered asynchronously and the curriculum can be completed in as little as 18 months. Students can expect to complete 33 credit hours of coursework, a culminating activity, a graduate seminar, and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include Cognition and Brain Development, Educational Psychology, and Language, Reading, and Concept Development.

Capella University confers a Master's in Child Development online degree that is built for professionals who are working in the field and would like to advance in their careers. This is a fully online degree that can be taken asynchronously in either 10-week or 12-week term schedules; depending on a student's choice, they can expect to finish the degree within 18 months to three years. The curriculum is built from a research and theory standpoint, with specialization courses providing more in-depth knowledge about different aspects of child psychology. Students can expect to complete 55 quarter credit hours, including an integrated project, as well as a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology, Tests and Measurements, and Topics in Child and Adolescent Development.

Students at the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities is offering an online Master's in Child Development that builds a professional's understanding of the field with online asynchronous courses; it can be completed in two years with full-time study. This is a 100 percent online degree that comes with three specialization tracks: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Child Life, and Individualized Studies. The Child Life track also comes with the opportunity to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination as well as the Association of Child Life Professionals Eligibility Assessment. Students will be expected to complete 32 credit hours of coursework, a practicum in their community, a final project, and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include Development and Psychopathology in Early Childhood, Developmental Perspectives on Illness and Injury in Healthcare, Childhood Death and Bereavement.