Pick out a school that has a bachelor's degree in Child Development. According to an Education Portal article, the "Top Ranked University Degree Program in Child Development - Bakersfield, CA," is at the The California State University-Bakersfield School of Education. This school lets students take classes on infants, adolescents and parenting. Researching several schools will help you find the right fit for you.
California State University-Bakersfield School of Education
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
(661) 654-2266
http://www.csub.edu
You can take classes online at many schools. For instance, California State University, Chico, offers a program to earn a Bachelor of Art in Child Development online. According to the school, it has ranked in "U.S. News & World Report" magazine's America's Best Colleges" as the sixth-best public university that offers master's degrees (see references 2). Enrolling online gives you the option to fulfill other obligations and get an education. Online classes might be helpful if you have a job and want to switch to a career working with children and families.
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, California 95929-0250
530-898-6105
http://rce.csuchico.edu
Make sure that the program you find is accredited and non-profit school. If you want a bachelor's degree, you do not need to pursue a certificate program. Earning a bachelor's degree from an accredited, non-profit college may increase the respect colleagues give you.
Go to all of your classes and take detailed notes. If you are in an online program, you should log in to view the notes and videos daily. Finish papers on time to get the best grades that you can earn. A high grade point average upon completion of the program will show potential employers that you are passionate about child development.
Pay attention to the classes that your school requires so you can earn your degree quickly. If you follow the course catalogue and discuss course choices with an advisor, you can graduate on time. Most programs typically will take a student four years. Some students are able to graduate after three years if they take summer classes.