Florida State University Department of Family and Child Sciences offers bachelor's, Master's and doctoral level degrees in child development and related areas. Undergraduate students can learn about intricate family relationships, child development, development throughout the lifespan and professional knowledge through the Family and Child Sciences major. This major includes field placement practicum in child care centers, human services organizations and other child development agencies to provide students with hands-on, real-world experience. Master's level students can expect to find challenging coursework in specialized child development areas as well as research. Graduate program features include internship experiences, supervised research and special child development focused projects. The school's doctoral program is a 74-credit curriculum with 33 clinical preparation hours in family relations. This human services oriented degree gives graduates the opportunity to work with children and families in many different therapy and educational settings.
The Florida State College's bachelor of science in early childhood education degree is a four-year program that provides students with a focused background in child development. This program focuses on building knowledge in areas such as literacy development, developmentally appropriate practice, assessment and early interventions. This program can help students prepare for initial state certification in Prekindergarten/Primary Education teaching. The 120-credit hour curriculum includes courses in general education, early childhood education and hands-on practicum. Applicants must hold, or be in the processes of earning, an associate of science in early childhood.
As one of the nation's top 63 research colleges, the University of South Florida provides an early childhood education degree for students with an interest in child development specialties. The Department of Childhood Education and Literacy Studies offers the students at different points in their educations and careers the opportunity to study this field at the bachelor's and Master's levels. The bachelor-level program includes focused child development coursework and field experiences leading to the eligibility to apply for a state Pre-Kindergarten/Primary teacher certification. Students with an undergraduate degree in the field may apply for the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in early childhood education. This degree does not include a certification component but does give the child development professional a greater depth of knowledge.
Nova Southeastern's bachelor of science in prekindergarten/primary education program is a NAEYC-accredited program for child development professionals. This teacher preparation includes a blend of hands-on practical student teaching and classroom learning. Additionally, the school offers a child development undergraduate degree for students not wishing to work as a certified teacher. Students in the child development specialty can work in private preschools and child development centers, human services positions and other early care settings. Like the B.S. in prekindergarten/primary education degree, the child development option also offers students the chance to gain real world experience through hands-on practicum courses.