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Learn child development

Do you want to build a rewarding career that involves working with children and families? Find out why you should learn about child development and how to gain the knowledge you need for your career.

Why learn child development?

Studying child development can help you understand how to support children throughout different stages of learning and growth. It can lead to a number of career opportunities, including in education, healthcare, and the public sector, where you might support underserved communities.

From standalone child development courses to four-year bachelor's degree programs with a higher cost and time commitment, there are multiple ways you can solidify your knowledge and create a career you love.

Browse online Child Development Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

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Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

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Choosing the right child development program for you

Selecting the right edX online program to learn about child development is all about understanding which learning format is appropriate for your current level of knowledge and experience. You should also consider whether the program will support your career goals.

Courses

Online courses are good for beginners who require an introductory overview of the field, as well as professionals who want to dive deeper into specific topics. A course can teach you anything from the primary stages of child development to language acquisition.

Professional Certificates

can help expand your knowledge and expertise in a specific topic or tool. These certificate programs can be ideal for professionals at any level who want to specialize in a subject area or grow in their current role.

Executive education programs

are available to those who are already in or plan to pursue positions of leadership, such as school principals or daycare program directors. These programs can teach you to develop policies that positively impact children and create safe and supportive learning environments.

Degrees

An online bachelor's degree in early childhood education or an online master's degree in teaching can help you pursue a career working directly with children or designing programs for them. During your coursework, you may learn child psychology and explore how to build successful partnerships with families and communities.

Jobs in child development

Whether you choose to take a few child development courses or earn an advanced degree, learning about child development can help you build a versatile career. Here are three career routes that can allow you to apply your knowledge in a meaningful way.

Special education teacher

Special education teachers work directly with students with disabilities. These professionals assess students' skills to determine their educational needs, develop individualized education programs, plan and teach lessons adapted to individual needs, and monitor and discuss progress with parents, guardians, and other educational stakeholders.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree in education or a related field
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2024): $64,270
Social and human services assistant

Social and human services assistants support social workers and other professionals in connecting children and families to resources, benefits, and community services. They may develop treatment plans, research and coordinate social services, help clients fill out paperwork, and follow up with clients to ensure their needs are met.

  • Required education: High school diploma and related professional training
  • BLS median annual salary (2024): $45,120
Speech-language pathologist

Speech-language pathologists help individuals with speech and language conditions. These professionals use their knowledge of child development to evaluate patients and create a treatment plan and goals. They may also teach clients tactics to improve their speech, fluency, and vocabulary, as well as strategies for coping with the symptoms of a condition.

  • Required education: Master's degree in speech-language pathology
  • BLS median annual salary (2024): $95,410

Learn child development online with edX

Learning about child development can help you build a versatile and fulfilling career. Explore edX degree programs or sign up for a course today.

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    FAQs about child development

    What is the importance of learning child development?

    Learning about child development is essential if you plan to work with children because it can help you understand the stages of their learning and growth. With this knowledge, you can develop educational programs, resources, and treatment plans to support their growth.

    How long does it take to learn child development?

    You might learn the basics of child development in a four-week course, or you can gain broader and deeper knowledge through a four-year bachelor's or two-year master's degree program.

    How hard is it to learn child development?

    Most people do not find it difficult to learn the fundamentals of child development. However, it may take time to understand the complex systems at work during each developmental stage. Applying this knowledge in an educational, healthcare, or community setting may be even more challenging.