Are you fascinated by human development and relationships? Do you want to help children reach their full potential? If you have college credits but haven't fully earned your bachelor’s degree, PLNU’s child development degree completion program is designed for you. We’ll partner with you and together help make a meaningful difference for families of all types, including yours.

Completing your bachelor’s degree in child development (CDEV) at PLNU will give you a strong understanding of typical and atypical development and how to help meet the needs of children and families. You'll become the best possible champion for children by understanding the complex family and social systems that surround them. PLNU offers a convenient online format tailored to accommodate your work and life commitments — so you can earn your child development degree in as few as 15 months.

Study Child Development in an engaging online format

This flexible online format is designed for busy professionals to continue their education in a tight-knit, supportive online community while allowing them to manage their own schedules.

Learn to help children succeed on your terms

This online program gives you the flexibility to learn when and where you want. You can complete coursework in the comfort of your home, favorite coffee shop, or local library while choosing a study schedule that works best for you. 

Online learning is perfect for those who learn in ways that aren’t often found in traditional classrooms — watching instructional videos, listening to audio lectures at your preferred speed, or dedicating extra study time to tricky topics. You can always connect with professors to help find the best ways to absorb and apply your learning.

Help other families while taking time for yours

Learning shouldn’t prevent you from doing what you love. Coursework is designed to be flexible to your needs and help you balance your other life commitments. 

While completing this program, you’ll still be able to continue spending time with family, thriving at your full- or part-time workplace, or leisure time. 

Community without commuting

Commuting can be stressful and time-consuming — especially in San Diego. Thankfully, you can learn online while still benefiting from PLNU’s strong focus on community. In this program, you’ll meaningfully connect with other students online as you learn and grow in your leadership expertise.

You’ll also have access to top-tier mentorship from professors and advisors. They’ll help you to leverage your strengths to expand your connections and career opportunities. You’ll be able to access resources tailored to you and your career goals.

Transition seamlessly into CDEV

A counselor and coordinator will work with you through every step of your journey to complete your bachelor’s, from helping you transfer previously-earned credit to working alongside you with care and encouragement as you earn your degree. You won’t feel like you’re starting a brand-new program — rather, it will be a natural continuation of your previous education experience.

If you haven’t completed any college classes, don’t worry. Students applying for this program can also start with as few as zero college credits completed — a feature exclusive to the online format. In the online format, PLNU offers all general education, elective, and prerequisite courses needed for completion of the CDEV program. With entry points every eight weeks, you can start whenever you're ready!

Which program is right for me?

You might be wondering whether the online or hybrid CDEV program is best for you. Here’s a quick overview to help you connect with your ideal learning environment:

Prepare for your dream job

By covering the full cycle of development from birth through adolescence, PLNU’s degree completion program offers you career flexibility, as well as a deep understanding of children and families that isn’t limited to a single age group.

"With this degree, you will be uniquely prepared to meet the needs of children, adolescents, and families. You will be equipped with practical application skills to address needs in a wide variety of professional settings." 

Susan Decristofaro Rogers, M.A.
Co-Chair, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences

Enhance your degree with a Minor 

Adding a minor to your Accelerated undergraduate program can be a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge, increase career opportunities, and foster personal growth. Explore subjects like Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Communication, Management, Creative Digital Media, and Child Development. Choosing to add a minor can make your degree more versatile, well-rounded, and appealing to future employers. PLNU Counselors are ready to help you integrate a minor into your academic plan. Discover the benefits of a minor at PLNU today!

Online program start dates: 

• Spring 2025 Quad I — January 13, 2025
• Spring 2025 Quad II — March 17, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad I — May 12, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad II — July 7, 2025

Start Application

Application checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit online application for admission.
2. Submit official transcripts from each institution attended.
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu

Start Application

Note: All students are expected to have some proficiency with computer technology (email, Internet, word processing, etc.).

This program is approved by the Community Care Licensing Division of California, which means the program meets the requirements for graduates preparing for a child care license in the state of California. However, because a license in California is earned by more than meeting the educational requirements, successful completion of this program by itself does not fulfill all of the requirements to become a licensed child care professional.

Please note: The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences will notify students when changes in requirements occur. Outside California, PLNU cannot confirm whether its program meets credentialing requirements in your state of residence. Upon completion of the program, and should you earn a license, Point Loma Nazarene University does not guarantee that the program requirements for licensure in the state of California will transfer to another state where you may want to be employed. Additionally, if you currently reside or plan to reside outside California, PLNU cannot confirm whether its program meets licensure requirements in your current or intended state of residence.

***The PLNU General Education Learning Outcomes (GELOs) will be addressed and measured within the PLNU degree program to ensure the outcomes we value are demonstrated.

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from PLNU, you’ll be prepared to complete the essential and meaningful work of shaping children's lives. 

Possible careers for those with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development:

• Preschool teacher or director at a public, private, or charter school
• Child life specialist
• Head Start teacher
• First Five specialist or care coordinator
• Early intervention specialist
• Behavioral therapist
• Children's or youth ministry leader
• Parent educator
• Foster care provider
• Social service worker for children and adolescents

What can I do with a bachelor’s in child development? 

Degrees in child development are appealing to potential employers because of their interdisciplinary nature, focusing heavily on advocacy and leadership in the field of early education. Graduates of PLNU’s child development program can pursue a variety of different careers, as well as graduate-level study to become a family and marriage counselor, speech pathologist, child life specialist, educational specialist, social worker, early interventionist, and more.

The following careers are some of the most popular jobs for those with a Child Development, B.A.: 

Social Worker

2023 Median annual salary $58,380

Social workers' primary job is to evaluate their patients and develop goals and plans to reach said goals based on patient needs, wants, and limitations. Social workers work with individual caseworkers to develop care plans for patients and their families if necessary. Their duties include meeting with clients to discuss recent successes or setbacks with their individual situations and developing treatment and goals for clients with mental illnesses or clients recovering from traumatic events. Social workers must have strong communication skills as they must frequently check in with clients about their physical and mental health.

What it takes to be a social worker: 

• Compassion
• Patience
• Organization 
• Ability to manage stress

Preschool Teacher

2023 Median annual salary $37,130

Preschool teachers are childcare professionals who educate and care for children typically 3 or 4 years old. Their main responsibilities include teaching children about foundational education concepts like colors, shapes, numbers, rudimentary reading comprehension, and social skills. Preschool teachers must also be able to stay organized and keep their classrooms clean and safe for their students.

What it takes to be a successful preschool teacher: 

• Patience
• Creativity
• Empathy
• Communication
• Organization

Social and Human Services Assistant

2023 Median annual salary $41,410

Social and human services assistants work with clients to determine what type of aid (psychological, medical, financial, addiction recovery, etc.) they need. They then help acquire said aid through research and finding services and benefits on behalf of the client. Social and human services assistants often work alongside social workers to develop and coordinate programs and treatment plans to provide clients with what they need.

What it takes to be a social and human service assistant: 

• Communication 
• Compassion
• Organization
• Problem-solving 

Using your child development degree: 

Earning a degree in child development will not only be appealing to potential employers but will also provide you with learning opportunities and experiences that will aid you in shaping the future by working with the children of today. 

Apply to PLNU today or get connected with one of our counselors for additional support and answers to any questions you may have.

For information about the courses required for the Child Development, B.A. program, view the PLNU Catalog.

Course Information