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Psychology Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development

Pursue Rewarding Careers with an Online Child Development Degree

Learn from Experienced Faculty

Gain Trauma-Informed Skills

Support Children and Adolescents

Advance in Impactful Roles

Learn More Today

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  • Duration 4 years
  • Cost per Credit $495
  • Credit Hours 120

Program Benefits

  • Take Leading-Edge Child Development Courses
  • Build a Foundation of Theory and Research
  • Practice Advocacy Skills for Vulnerable Populations
  • Stand Out for Diverse Child Development Careers

Make a Significant Difference in The Lives of Children and Adolescents

The Child Development concentration in Carlow University’s online BA in Psychology explores developmental milestones at different ages from birth to adolescence. You’ll gain an advanced understanding of how children mature affectively, physically, socially and cognitively.

With a child development bachelor’s degree, you can pursue roles in behavioral therapy, child care leadership, education and more.

The Child Development Concentration Will Allow You To:

  • Understand child development theories
  • Explore individual and family dynamics
  • Uncover the importance of play
  • Pursue graduate study in psychology

Curriculum: Child Development

Online

4 Years

120 Total Credits

In this concentration, you’ll take child growth and development courses that are focused on theoretical foundations, authoritative research and best practices in the field. Our small class sizes and interactive online classrooms give you opportunities to receive personalized support from faculty as you learn.

Featured Courses

This course will investigate parenting from both a nurturing and maltreatment perspective. Areas that will be explored are the dynamics of the parent/child relationships; social issues and concerns that impact parenting; how parent/child relationships evolve developmentally (birth through adolescence); various parenting styles and implications; the neuroscience of human relationships. This course will also offer Nurturing Parenting Program Facilitator Training certification.

This course provides a basic understanding of the dy-namics of children’s play using a framework of social and emotional development. Students will also gain an under-standing of basic play communication skills, which will al-low them to connect with children and demonstrate em-pathy through the process of play.

Prerequisites: PY 122 or PY 205

View Complete Curriculum

Child Development Career Opportunities

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to pursue diverse careers in behavioral therapy, child care leadership, developmental psychology, education and more. Expertise from the child development degree helps you make a positive impact in the following roles.

Please note that some of these positions may require additional education, certification or licensure, which can vary by state.

Behavioral Health Specialist $60,551 Average base salary1

Behavior Therapist $51,883 Average base salary2

Preschool Director $49,526 Average base salary3

Career Outlook

BAP Specializations

Psychology, BA: Counseling Concentration

Jump start your counseling career with pre-professional training. Explore family counseling, trauma-informed care, treatment modalities and more.

View Program

Psychology, BA: Crisis and Trauma Concentration

Build trauma-informed perspectives and explore treatment modalities that are most helpful for those who have experienced crisis, trauma and abuse.

View Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.

Yes, the psychology program offers three optional concentrations: Child Development, Counseling and Crisis and Trauma.

You are not required to choose a concentration for your psychology degree. You can complete a general degree or choose an optional concentration in Child Development, Counseling or Crisis and Trauma.

In the psychology degree’s Child Development concentration, you’ll explore developmental and psychological milestones up to adolescence. You could pursue roles in behavioral therapy, child care leadership, education and more.

Sources

  1. PayScale. “Average Behavioral Health Specialist Hourly Pay.” July 10, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Behavioral_Health_Specialist/Hourly_Rate.
  2. PayScale. “Average Behavior Therapist Hourly Pay.” September 24, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Behavior_Therapist/Hourly_Rate.
  3. PayScale. “Average Director, Preschool Salary.” September 2, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director%2C_Preschool/Salary.