Online Bachelor's Degree in Child Development | UAGC

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Online Bachelor's Degree in Child Development | UAGC bkeim Sat, 08/30/2025 - 09:24 College of Professional Advancement Education Bachelor's Degrees Bachelor of Arts in 46

Bachelor of Arts in Child Development

College of Professional Advancement

Become an Advocate for Children

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Support Healthy Development in Children

Be an advocate for children while having an impact on their future development. When earning your online Bachelor of Arts in Child Development degree, you will have the opportunity to dive deep into the biological and psychological progression of children, from their infancy stages through their adolescent years. With an increasing focus on the factors that impact the development of children, the study of child development continues to be a priority for many organizations.

The child development program builds your competence and ability to work with children. You will discover how family structure and culture influence communication in a child’s environment, and you will learn to apply your knowledge as an advocate for children and their families.

Upon completion of a child development degree, graduates will be able to:

Explain child development theory and the cornerstones of developmental domains (physical, cognitive, social and emotional, and linguistic) from birth through 18 years old
Examine how family, culture, individual child/adolescent needs, and the interrelatedness of developmental domains are affected by context
Create strategies that foster respectful partnerships with diverse families and communities to support positive interactions and healthy child/adolescent development
Propose strategies to assess and support the learning and developmental needs of the individual child, focusing on at-risk youth
Develop tools for ethical and intentional collaboration as a professional in a field related to the development of children and adolescents

Why Choose the University of Arizona Global Campus?

Accelerated 5 week courses

1 course at a time

$0 Application Fee

Accredited by WSCUC

��ɫ��TV��Ƶ (UAGC) top-tier educational resources, exemplified by the textbook "How Does 'Educator' Look on Me?" by Dr. Newton Miller, Dr. Ishonté Allar and Sarah Miller, which won the Most Promising New textbook Award for 2024 from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA). Dr. Allar, an experienced educator in West Virginia, and Dr. Miller, Director of Education Studies at UAGC, bring extensive expertise, reflecting UAGC's commitment to educational excellence.

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��ɫ��TV��Ƶ (UAGC) features award-winning materials in its curriculum. Notably, "One Step at a Time: A Roadmap for Problem Solving & Making a Difference", by Sabrina Mathues, an Associate Faculty at UAGC, won the 2024 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA). The TAA, a professional development and networking organization for textbook and academic authors, honors excellence in learning materials, highlighting UAGC's commitment to top-tier educational resources.

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Military Students $250.00/credit

Undergraduate Courses $460.00/credit

Technology Fee** $115.00/course

Books and Other Class Materials** $125.00/average per course

Graduation Fee $150.00

Total Program Cost See UAGC Catalog¹

Calculate Your Tuition

¹Keep in mind that this figure doesn’t factor in any potential discounts, partner benefits, or impact of accepted transfer credits, if eligible.

Scholarships

UAGC offers enrolled students access to ScholarshipUniverse, a platform that tailors external scholarship opportunities to your unique situation, making it easier to find and apply for scholarships.

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Partnership Savings

UAGC is proud to provide reduced tuition rates for our academic and corporate partners, helping community college transfer students and corporate employees earn their degrees at a lower cost.

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Transfer to UAGC

Ready to complete your online child development degree? Transfer your approved credits with our undergraduate transfer policy.†

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Earn Credit for Work and Life Experience

We don’t overlook your time spent outside the classroom. You may be able to earn non-traditional credit for your work/life experience through a Prior Learning Assessment or for your military service.

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View Course Catalog

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Freshman Year

In this foundational course, students explore the principles necessary for achieving personal and career success. GEN 101 serves as a road map, guiding students as they begin their academic journey. Through self-discovery, surveying available resources, connecting with UAGC groups, and engaging with Career Services, students learn the essential skills of planning and goal setting. Students apply their personal strengths, skills, and lifelong learning strategies to develop essential career competencies. By making these meaningful connections students gain a deeper understanding of how their education relates to their desired career path. Congratulations on embarking on this college journey filled with growth, exploration, and endless possibilities! This course is not available for non-degree seeking students.
This course offers an overview of digital fluency as it applies to personal, academic, financial, and professional success. Students will analyze the impact of digital technology on personal, social, and diversity issues and will develop digital skills that will assist in achieving academic, personal, and career goals. An overview of digital media is introduced with practical strategies for application in personal and professional life.
Learn and use key, practical skills that are applicable at home, at work, and in all UAGC courses! As UAGC students progress in their academic journey, strategies for personal, professional, and academic success continue to develop. This introductory course takes a two-pronged approach to setting students on a path to success. It merges fundamental informational literacy concepts with essential resources and skills that prepare students for college and career. Students learn how to identify, locate, evaluate, apply, and acknowledge information obtained through UAGC Library databases and internet search engines. By applying the research process, students sharpen critical thinking skills and learn to use information ethically. The final project is a practical and relevant opportunity for students to apply their learning in personally, professionally, and academically meaningful ways.
ENG 121 is designed to introduce students to the standards of writing in both academic and professional settings. The class will operate by first introducing, and then allowing students to practice, several written communication skills. Throughout, we will work to understand writing as a process, one that is strengthened through critical thinking, deepened by research, and built on a foundation of professional standards. As part of this process, students will also consider how emerging technologies influence contemporary writing environments and the ways writers make informed, ethical choices about their use. Students will articulate a sense of their own skills and goals and engage in collaborative conversations with peers and their instructor so as to be able to express their ideas more effectively. During the course, students will use the writing process to scrutinize their own perspectives while challenging them to embrace a wider conversation.
This course is designed to expand students’ appreciation of film and knowledge of how films are made. Through analysis of storytelling in a visual medium, students will examine the ways in which movies are shot, develop characters, evoke emotion, depict physical reality, reflect society, and have the power to influence it. Though the focus of the course is film itself, students will gain deeper intercultural fluency while growing their skills in critical thinking, written communication, and visual analysis.
This course is a study of correct and incorrect reasoning involved in everyday activities. The fundamentals of language and argument, deductive and inductive reasoning and other aspects of practical reasoning are examined.
This course examines and evaluates theories and arguments concerning ethics and moral reasoning from a philosophical perspective. By engaging with historical and contemporary sources, students will analyze theories about the meaning, nature, and justification of ethical concepts; determine and assess how different forms of moral reasoning apply to contemporary moral issues; become more reflective and informed about their own moral beliefs; and develop their capacity for critical practical reasoning.
In this course, students will develop and expand their research and writing skills to communicate ideas in informed, ethical, and persuasive written documents intended for a range of audiences across a range of situations and contexts. Students will receive instruction and practice in synthesis and analysis, bolstering their written communication skills with a thorough understanding of academic research while honing critical thinking skills and effective work habits. Through writing well-structured, logical, and effective academic essays, students will explore tools and develop topics in a way that is meaningful to academic and professional lives. Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 121 or equivalent with a grade of “C-” or better.
This course is designed to aid students in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication patterns among people in personal, social, academic, and professional settings will be examined, within and between cultures, including both face-to-face and technologically mediated channels. The nature of these interactions will be evaluated using contemporary communication theory. The course will enable students to identify their interpersonal communication skills and behaviors and to more critically evaluate their own oral communication and that of others. The primary goals of the course are to improve the quality of students’ communication in their personal and professional relationships, to enhance students’ experience and. confidence with oral communication, and increase awareness of the importance of interpersonal communication that is inclusive and equitable.
A survey of government at the national level. Emphasis is placed on the constitutional basis of American government, federalism, the sources and forms of political behavior, the operation of the three branches of government, and the making of national policy.

Sophomore Year

Students explore culture in its role of guiding human behavior and providing social order, structure, and stability for individuals and groups of people. Culture is presented as a system of adaptation involving beliefs, behavior, language, customs, socio/political strategies, traditions, and technology that evolve over time. Recommended prerequisite: ENG 122.
This course focuses on sustainable development from a cross-disciplinary approach, including, economics, management, education, policy, and science. Students discuss sustainability conflicts at the national and international levels, and use online simulations to understand and evaluate sustainability practices. Topics include zero waste, water management, smart growth, green technology, global change, renewable energy, agriculture, and land management.
In this course, students will explore a wide range of Algebra topics. Topics will include study of linear equations, linear relationships, slope, polynomials, and functions, including graphing relations and solving systems of equations. Emphasis will be placed on developing an awareness of historical and current uses of algebra in real life settings, in various careers, and in solving important societal problems.
The capstone serves as an opportunity to reflect upon, integrate, and showcase learning achievement. Through discussions and course-embedded assessments, students will demonstrate a mastery of essential general education competencies as they relate to their personal and professional lives and provide evidence of growth through application of competency related skills to real-world situations. A minimum grade of “C-“ is required to meet course requirements. Prerequisite: 75 completed credits or permission of the student’s college or dean.
This course introduces students to education as both a professional pathway and a dynamic social institution. Students will explore the personal, ethical, and professional qualities that define effective educators while examining how cultural, economic, and policy factors shape schooling in diverse societies. Through the lens of the social sciences, students will analyze human behavior, equity, and institutional practices that influence teaching and learning. Emphasis is placed on developing a personal “why” for teaching, fostering culturally responsive mindsets, and understanding how evidence-based instructional models promote access and achievement for all learners.
This course provides a basic introduction to the nature of human growth and development from conception through adolescence. Students are provided the opportunity to explore the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive factors of growth and development from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The context and impact of the family and society as well as individual, cultural, moral, and linguistic differences on development will be covered.
This course examines the principles of child development from birth to age 8. Students will explore the essential aspects of child development, focusing on developmental domains, stages, milestones, and theories. Learners will gain an understanding of environments and activities that nurture the developmental domains of young children. Through observations, students will learn to plan developmentally appropriate instruction tailored to individual needs. The course also emphasizes the critical role of family involvement in supporting the growth and development of children.
This course examines the principles and practices of curriculum planning and design tailored for diverse young children, birth to age 8. Students will explore differentiated instruction, research-based curriculum, and pedagogical approaches across several content areas. Students will learn to create inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and challenging learning experiences and environments for diverse young children. The National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children standards are integrated into the coursework.
In this course, students will explore cognitive development from infancy through adolescence. They will be responsible for identifying the theoretical frameworks that support cognitive development. Students will have the opportunity to explain the development of perception, attention, and memory. Students will utilize the concepts of knowledge, categorization, and conceptual development in professional contexts. They will also evaluate concepts of language development, thinking, reasoning, and decision making in diverse environments. Additionally, students will prepare to support cognitive development through professional collaboration.
Students will examine factors that promote effective communication and collaboration between early educators, families of children, and the community. In additional, learners will identify resources to foster these partnerships.

Junior Year

This course describes the stages of developmental growth from conception to early childhood. Students will evaluate theory and research that explains the development of young children. Students will describe how biological, environmental, protective, and adverse factors impact children’s development and learning. They will also analyze developmentally appropriate practices supporting growth and development in physical, cognitive, social and emotional, and linguistic domains. Finally, students will analyze how development and learning intersect across developmental domains.
Adolescence is the largest developmental period other than infancy. The purpose of this course is to provide a solid foundation for educators and professionals to be able to critically think about supporting healthy adolescent development. In this course, students will apply key concepts and developmental theories related to the physical, social-emotional, behavioral, and cognitive changes during adolescence.  Students will interpret research on the development of adolescent gender identity, sexuality, and romantic relationships.  Additionally, students will analyze effective practices for communication with adolescents in the context of family and school.  Throughout the course students will analyze the impact of diverse experiences on adolescent development. Lastly, students will propose strategies for supporting adolescents facing mental health and behavioral issues.
This course provides an examination of educational approaches and their impact on the practice of creating inclusive learning environments for children with exceptionalities. Students will examine methods of assessment and apply evidence-based instructional methods and strategies to support children with diverse needs in inclusive settings. In addition, students will analyze the collaborative models in inclusive settings that support and serve children and their families. Finally, students will create a professional and ethics-based philosophy of inclusion for children with exceptionalities.
The content in this course will allow students to analyze the purpose of assessment in supporting children across all developmental domains. Using this foundation, students will examine the practical application of assessment tools and utilize assessment strategies to enhance the growth and development of children. Finally, students will synthesize their learning by developing an assessment portfolio that contains a plan for interventions to meet the developmental needs of diverse children.
This course will explore the multifaceted dynamics of childhood development within the context of diverse family structures. Students will delve into key theories of family systems, attachment, and child development, examining how these theories impact children's social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. The course will emphasize the importance of building strong, respectful, and collaborative partnerships with families. Students will learn strategies for effective communication and culturally sensitive family engagement. Furthermore, the course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to assess children's developmental needs and explore evidence-based practices for promoting positive behavior.
This course examines the function of play as a theoretical based teaching and learning tool for young learners. Students will evaluate the impact of current issues, trends, and cultural factors on play and the role of play-centered assessments with children. In addition, students will design developmentally appropriate play activities for use at home and in the learning environment and create a framework of play and learning for diverse learners.
The College of Education Capstone is designed to equip students at the end of their academic journey with the tools and strategies necessary for a successful transition into the 21st-century workforce. This course provides essential guidance and support, empowering recent graduates to create a compelling message that showcases their skills and abilities, positioning them as valuable assets to potential employers. The curriculum addresses five key areas vital for students entering the job market: sharing one’s story, resume creation, interview skills, portfolio development, and embedding an elevator pitch and personal brand statement into an easily shared and accessed ePortfolio. By mastering these areas, students will be able to market themselves competitively and effectively navigate their career paths. Prerequisite: Majority of major coursework. Course was previously titled College of Education Capstone. It was changed to Education Capstone on 7/1/2026.

Senior Year

Program Requirements

Credit Breakdowns

Global Campus Foundations

Credits

Major Credit Requirements

Credits

Electives

Credits

Total Credits

120

Credits

To earn your Bachelor of Arts in Child Development at the University of Arizona Global Campus, you must complete 120 credits. You will need to complete 30 upper-division credits, of which 18 credits must be from the major program. A total of 30 credits must be completed at the University of Arizona Global Campus to meet the residency requirement. You may be able to transfer approved credits from community colleges, other previous college coursework, or other life experiences such as military service or job training toward your degree.

Licensure and Certification Terms and Conditions

This program is not designed to meet the state educational requirements for teacher licensure or certification in any state. Students seeking teacher licensure shall carefully research their state's requirements prior to enrollment and regularly review the requirements as they are subject to change. Requirements vary by state. Graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a state-by-state basis that will include one or more of the following: student teaching or practicum experience, additional coursework, additional testing, or, if the state requires a specific type of degree, earning an additional degree. None of the University of Arizona Global Campus online education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which is a requirement for certification in some states. Other factors, such as a student’s criminal history, may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or employment in their field of study.

Alabama Students: Authorization to provide an education program does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate. Applicants who complete an education or educator preparation program at a non-Alabama institution must apply for an Alabama professional educator or professional leadership certificate through the Alabama Certificate Reciprocity Approach. Current requirements may be found at https://www.alabamaachieves.org/teacher-center/.

Certain degree programs may not be available in all states.

Quality Matters Certification

The Online Teaching Support Certification recognizes programs that require all online faculty to undergo training in best practices for online course delivery, provide faculty with ongoing pedagogical support, encourage faculty professional development to increase their knowledge and skill in online teaching, emphasize instructor availability and feedback to learners, and collect and use feedback from learners to improve online teaching. Learn More

The Online Learner Support Certification recognizes programs that provide all the critical student and academic services needed for learner success and use learner feedback to continuously improve those services.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Child Development?

Career Paths

Just a few of the many professional careers that may begin with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development include:

Family Resource Coordinator
Youth Services Specialist
Teacher Aide
Educational Assistant
Childcare Worker

Connect With Career Services

Career Fields

Professionals with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development could start careers in the childcare field.

Connect With Career Services

Job Market Outlook

Gain insights into the child development job market by reviewing the Bureau of Labor Statistics market outlook report.

View Full Market Outlook

UAGC gave me the time and freedom to serve my community and to work toward a career educating future generations.

Gigi R.

Class of 2023

Yes, a child development degree is an excellent choice for individuals passionate about working with children. It provides a strong foundation in child development theories, practices, and skills.
The online BA in Child Development program at UAGC is designed to fit your busy schedule. Each class is five weeks long, and you only take one class at a time, so you can focus on one subject and get an in-depth understanding of each topic you’re learning. The classes are fast paced, but you will have 24/7 support and resources available to you.
Understand children and families with your bachelor’s degree in child development. Your child development online classes include a wide variety of topics, from language acquisition to behavior and the critical role of play in children’s development and education.
The increasing quality and accessibility of online education have significantly reduced the stigma associated with online degrees. According to U.S. News & World Report, many employers now recognize the value of online programs, particularly in fields like criminal justice where flexibility and continued education are often essential.
Yes, you’ll have opportunities to connect and collaborate with students, alumni, and faculty through our online learning platform. For example, in our CHAMPS Peer Mentoring program, new students are matched with high-achieving, upper-division students for mentorship that promotes student success. UAGC also has student-run clubs and organizations online, so you can connect with peers outside of class.
Pursuing a career that allows you to work with children gives you the opportunity to serve your community. By educating children, you are making life better for the next generation of young people and the community. Additionally, working with children can not only make an impact on their lives, but they will make an impact on yours. You will learn the valuable opportunity of becoming a positive role model as children will look up to you for both intellectual and emotional support. Lastly, this career can give you a new perspective on life as interacting with kids on a daily basis can open you up to their incredible imaginations and to new ways of thinking about the world.

See What Else UAGC Has to Offer

To access this rate using the Liberty Grant, only eligible undergraduate active duty service members, members of the National Guard, Reservists, spouses of active duty, members of the National Guard and Reservists, Department of Defense employees using Tuition Assistance (TA), and civilian employees of the United States Coast Guard (only if utilizing Military Tuition Assistance) will qualify.

The Technology Fee covers access to University systems such as the online classroom, myUAGC, and other academic resources. The Technology Fee and the Course Digital Materials (CDM) Fee are fully refundable if a student does not attend beyond Day 3 of a course (Week 3 if covered under the University of Arizona Global Campus Promise Refund Schedule). After this time, the fee becomes non-refundable. Students are charged the Technology Fee for repeated coursework. Students are not charged the CDM fee for repeated coursework if previously charged.

†

The transferability of credits is subject to the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) transfer credit policies and requires the submission of official transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated by UAGC to determine the credits that will officially apply toward a UAGC degree program. Credits must be earned at the same degree level in order to be applied. Additional restrictions may apply. See the UAGC Academic Catalog for full undergraduate and graduate transfer policies.

Overview #cta-with-side-content-387631 Tuition and Aid #cta-with-side-content-387640 Courses #completion-journey--387656 Careers and Outcomes #zes-two-column-tabs-387670 FAQs #accordion-faq-387678 120 Credits 5-week courses

When earning your online child development degree, you will have the opportunity to focus on the biological and psychological progression of children, from their infancy stages through their adolescent years.

Utilize knowledge of child development to construct and evaluate curriculum that effectively addresses the stages of development, including cognitive, language, physical, and affective development of young children Analyze the influence and impact of families and communities on a child’s learning and development Describe how family structure and cultural backgrounds influence communication processes in a child’s environment Family Resource Coordinator Youth Services Specialist Teacher Aide Educational Assistant Childcare Worker IndividualDegree Tue, 09/09/2025 - 00:00 Tue, 10/14/2025 - 00:00 Off 001Do00000ScUzdIAF On

Education

Making Magic: How Vulnerability, Advocacy, And Creativity Shape UAGC Student Holli Stapleton

Online Bachelor's Degree in Child Development | UAGC

Bachelor of Arts in Child Development

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Become an Advocate for Children

Why Choose the University of Arizona Global Campus?

UAGC Award-Winning Curriculum

Course Overview

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

What Can I Do With a Degree in Child Development?

BA in Child Development FAQs

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What Are the Four Theories of Child Development?

What Can You Do with an Instructional Design Degree?

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology?

How Ester Serrano Overcame Self-Doubt and Found the Motivation to Keep Going

What Is an Instructional Designer?

UAGC Professor Dr. Jessi Harkins Upshaw Is an Ally and an Advocate for Individuals with Exceptionalities

What Is Inclusion in Special Education?

What Is an Education Administrator?

Education

Making Magic: How Vulnerability, Advocacy, And Creativity Shape UAGC Student Holli Stapleton

Online Bachelor's Degree in Child Development | UAGC

Bachelor of Arts in Child Development

Request Information About Our Degrees

Please provide a few details

Explore our accredited degree programs

Please provide a few details

Questions? Request Information

Please provide a few details

Become an Advocate for Children

Why Choose the University of Arizona Global Campus?

UAGC Award-Winning Curriculum

Course Overview

Freshman Year

GEN 101 Developing Skills and Strategies for Success

GEN 102 Digital Fluency for Life and the Workplace

GEN 103 Information Literacy

ENG 121 English Composition I

ENG 225 Introduction to Film

PHI 103 Informal Logic

PHI 208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning

ENG 122 English Composition II

COM 200 Interpersonal Communication

POL 201 American National Government

Sophomore Year

ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ENV 111 Introduction to Sustainability

MAT 222 Intermediate Algebra

GEN 499 General Education Capstone

EDU 100 Issues in Education

PSY 104 Child and Adolescent Development

ECE 205 Introduction to Child Development

ECD 315 Curriculum Planning and Design for Early Learners

ECE 350 Cognitive Development of Infants through Adolescents

ECE 313 Collaboration with Parents and Community

Junior Year

ECE 332 Child Development

ECE 320 Supporting Adolescent Development

ECD 310 Exceptional Learning and Inclusion

ECD 405 Assessment and Intervention

ECE 355 Understanding Behavior and Family Dynamics

ECD 415 Foundations of Play and Learning

EDU 499 Education Capstone

Course Override Placeholder

Senior Year

Course Override Placeholder

What Can I Do With a Degree in Child Development?

BA in Child Development FAQs

Is a Child Development Degree a Good Choice for Someone Who Loves Working with Children?

How Flexible is the Online Learning Format?

What Are the Core Courses in a Child Development Online Degree Program?

Are Online Degrees as Respected as Traditional On-Campus Degrees?

Will I Have Opportunities for Networking and Collaboration with Other Students in an Online Program?

What Are the Benefits of Working with Children?

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Please provide a few details

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Please provide a few details

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