Online: Child Development Degree
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Outcomes & Careers
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96%
Successful Outcomes Rate
Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Child & Family Studies report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation.
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$49k
Preschool and Childcare Center Director
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a preschool and childcare center director is $49,160.
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$32k
Preschool Teacher
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a preschool teacher is $31,930.
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$70k
Social and Community Service Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a social and community service manager is $69,600.
Online: Child Development Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree
Child Development Curriculum
The child development degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. “Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
- CF102 Relationships in the 21st Century (3)
- CF120 The Child (3)
- CF124 Children’s Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3)
- CF200 Constructive Guidance and Discipline (3)
- CF209 Introduction to Family Theories (3)
- CF215 Observation: Perception and Process (3)
- CF233 Creative Thought/Expression in Children (3)
- CF250 Family Child Care: Feasibility and Management (3)
- CF280 Learning Theory and Application: Preschool (3)
- CF285 Learning Theory and Application: Infant-Toddler (3)
- CF306 History and Theory of Child Development (3)
- CF310 School Age Child Care (3)
- CF330 Middle Childhood and Youth Issues (3
- CF360 Family Life Education (3)
- CF410 Culture, Ethnicity, and the Child (3)
- CF430 Parent-Child Interactions (3)
- CF475 Action Research for the Practitioner (3)
- CF480 Child Development Career Internship (6)
- EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
Choose One Track
Administrative Track
- CF315 Administration of Programs for Children and Youth (3)
- CF350 Assessing and Teaching Young Children (3)
- CF415 Legal Risks/AdministrativeDecision-making in Programs for Children and Youth (3)
- CF420 Leadership and Advocacy for the Administrator (3)
Child and Youth Services Track- Choose 12 hours
- CF 520 Professional Ethics and Practice (3)
- ED 535 The Trauma Informed Professional (3)
- HS 301 Foundations of Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy (3)
- HS 401 Child Advocacy II - Professional and System Responses (3)
- HS 402 Child Advocacy III - Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse (3)
- BS103 Human Biology (3)
- FE200 Family Financial Management (3)
- LI243 Children’s Literature (3)
- MA128 Mathematics I (4)
- PH218 Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)
- PS103 US Political Systems (3)
- SW121 Helping Skills for Human Services (3)
- US105 American History I (3)
or
- US107 American History II (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in a major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Fall
- Full Term: Aug. - Dec. (3 hours)
- Full Term: Aug. - Dec. (3 hours)
- Full Term: Aug. - Dec. (3 hours)
- 1st 8 Week: Aug. - Oct. (3 hours)
- 2nd 8 Week: Oct. - Dec. (3 hours)
- Total: 15 hours
Spring
- Wintersession: Dec. - Jan. (3 hours)
- Full Term: Jan. - May. (3 hours)
- Full Term: Jan. - May. (3 hours)
- 1st 8 Week: Jan. - Mar. (3 hours)
- 2nd 8 Week: Mar. - May. (3 hours)
- Total: 15 hours
Summer
- 1st 4 Week: June (3 hours)
- 8 Week: June-July (3 hours)
- 2nd 4 Week: July (3 hours)
- Total: 9 hours
College of Education, Health and Human Studies
This degree is housed within the College of Education, Health and Human Studies. The college boasts programs that train students in mind, body, and soul. So, whether you want to teach, to care, to support, or to fix, we have a program to get you there.
Chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies
"As a professor of Child Development and one who was trained in Agriculture, I see the university setting as a field of opportunities to plant the seed of ideas, inspiration, and purpose; I do this with the hope and expectation that the minds and efforts of future student professionals evolve to produce outcomes that are fruitful to their professions and their communities."
Victor Wilburn, Ph.D.
Online Learning at Southeast
When it comes to your success, we do whatever it takes. Online learning at Southeast takes the same reputable college courses taught by Southeast faculty and makes them available anytime, anywhere.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Stackable Degree Path
Earn credentials faster with our stackable degree path! You can earn your Associate of Arts in childcare and guidance while working towards your Bachelor of Science in child development. There are no additional classes needed with this option, getting you to a degree faster without extra work.
Additional Resources
98% of College of Education, Health and Human Studies graduates are employed or enrolled in grad school within a year.
Alumni are employed by
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701