The SDSU Online Bachelor of Science in Childhood Development Degree Completion Program is now more accessible than ever. Previously offered in a hybrid format with some in-person requirements, the program is now fully online, making it perfect for working adults who are juggling family and other commitments while seeking a career in child and family services. 

The change means applied components for courses can now be completed with applications in your own life. Observations of children and families can be completed either in a CFD-related job, or in public places like a park or a library. Your coursework can be easily blended into your usual routines, allowing for a fully flexible learning experience. 

You can earn your degree, as well as your California TK credential, fully online, from anywhere in just two years. The program can prepare you for a career in several different child development occupations, all while you can continue at your current job. 

What Jobs Can I Get with a Child Development Degree?

Here are some of the top jobs sectors for a child development degree:

1. Social Work

A social worker’s main job is to help people and improve their well-being. They most often work with individuals or families in the face of major hardships such as poverty, mental illness, or other crisis situations. These workers can be placed in a range of locations like schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, government agencies, and more. 

They begin by evaluating the patient–what they need, their strengths, who their support system is. The professionals then develops a plan on how to best navigate their client’s situation, and act as a case manager as they connect clients to services and monitor their progress. 

Social workers can also have their own niches within the field. You can get a therapist license to be able to offer clinical mental health therapy. Or maybe you have an interest in public policy, in which case you can advocate to change laws that are adversely affecting vulnerable populations. No matter what, you’ll be making a positive impact on people’s lives. 

2. Teaching 

Teachers continue to be extremely vital in our society. With the specific TK credential that this program will give you, you’ll be able to teach transitional kindergarten. California has begun to phase in Universal TK for all 4-year-olds, so TK credentialed teachers are becoming more of a necessity than ever before. 

There are many other opportunities to work with early-childhood education. These include more specific roles like toddler teachers and daycare teachers. All of these roles are unique, but have one main theme in common: helping with the development of the youngest members of your community. 

This degree can also be leveraged to teach more advanced grades as well, you just would most likely need a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Requirements are different everywhere though, and no matter what, having a child development degree is a great start on the path of an educator. 

3. Nonprofit Work

A degree in Child Development is a hot commodity in the nonprofit world. Organizations focused on early education, foster care, youth mentorship, and special needs especially all highly value the skills you acquire from this degree. You can utilize your expertise on how children learn, grow, and behave to make meaningful impacts in the community. 

Nonprofits provide a diverse range of opportunities. If you enjoy management and education, you can plan and coordinate early learning programs like Head Start. Or if you have a passion for helping foster kids, you can work as a court appointed special advocate (CASA). If you want to work mainly with adults, you can teach parenting classes on child development. 

These are just some of the meaningful paths a career in nonprofit can take you down. You can even open additional doors with just a bit of extra training. For example, you could become a registered behavior technician (RBT) with some extra certification, and work with individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Why SDSU Online?

Obtaining a degree in child development is a perfect first step to working in any and all of these rewarding jobs. This degree completion program is not only accessible, flexible, and affordable–it also has the added bonus of having SDSU’s talented faculty at the helm. 

Faculty members from SDSU’s Department of Child and Family Development are all cutting-edge researchers who bring their expertise into every lesson. The curriculum that they teach is specifically designed to teach you how to tackle issues that children are facing today. With the new fully online format, you can bring your new knowledge into work with you, and start applying it the very next day. 

Apply today to earn your B.S. in Child Development from a renowned institution, 100% online!