The Major Dilemma: Here are 14 Facts on Switching College Majors
Numerous careers allow you to work closely with kids.
Some enable you to be there for them during their formative years, from birth up to around eight years of age.
You have always imagined yourself specializing in the growth of children.
You might want to consider majoring in child development.
So, what is a child development major?
Child development is an undergraduate major that focuses on studying the growth and development of kids with reference to their surroundings, including the family, school, and community.
Simply put, the child development major is ideal for individuals who have a strong and genuine interest in working with children and making a positive impact on their lives, too.
It’s a multidisciplinary field, combining various elements such as:
- Biology
- Education
- Psychology
- Sociology
Various careers are waiting for child development degree holders.
Salaries can range from as low as $50,000 per year to as high as $70,000 or more per year, depending on one’s job position, duties and responsibilities, work experience, and location.
A child development major can be highly rewarding for those who are passionate about kids!
Is Child Development a Hard Major?
Let’s be honest: some kids can be difficult!
However, that shouldn’t dissuade those who are sincere in their desire to work with young ones.
But before you worry about that, you should first focus on the successful completion of your undergraduate degree in child major, which, like most other bachelor’s degree programs, takes around four years to complete.
So, is child development an easy major? Or is it a hard one?
Degree-seeking students who are genuinely passionate about children and being there with them as they grow, develop, and learn are likely to find child development an engaging and meaningful major.
The coursework can be enjoyable since they are specializing in an area that stimulates and motivates them.
Essential Skills for Child Development Majors
Not everyone can thrive in a child development undergraduate degree program.
Besides having a passion for understanding and helping to shape kids, it’s a must to have certain skills to shine academically and find happiness and satisfaction in majoring in child development.
Check if you have the following qualities and skills before declaring child development as your major:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Decision-making
- Empathetic
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal
- Organization
- Patience
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
Is Child Development a Boring Major?
Child development is no STEM major that can keep you on your toes each and every time.
Do you like to be intellectually challenged in college?
Then you may be wondering whether or not a child development major is boring.
Being enthusiastic about working with children should not bore you to death as a child development major because each class and topic makes you more and more knowledgeable about the various aspects of child growth and development.
Its coursework is more than enough to bring you intellectual and emotional excitement.
Indeed, the quest to understand maturing kids better serves as a challenge to the table.
How to Know If Majoring in Child Development is for You
Refrain from declaring a major without being 100% sure it’s the right one.
Before you commit to a child development major, see to it that you are willing to take on the academic challenges it will pose and rise to the occasion in preparation for a related career.
Here’s an idea: take some electives associated with child development beforehand.
Experiencing firsthand certain courses associated with the child development major enables you to determine with more confidence and certainty whether or not it’s the one to declare.
The following are some examples of related electives you might want to consider registering for:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Family systems
- Infant and toddler development
- Parenting theory and practice
- Promoting child health and safety
- Supporting children with special needs
Child Development Schools, Careers and Salaries
A career in child development begins by enrolling in the right program.
Because it’s not as popular as STEM majors and other sought-after ones like business and healthcare-related majors, not too many postsecondary institutions offer a bachelor’s degree in child development.
It’s a great thing that many of those that do offer it are highly-ranked schools.
After earning your degree, you can start applying for various entry-level jobs in related fields.
However, attending graduate school to earn a master’s degree can open more doors for you, including lucrative leadership career opportunities in social services, education, and child advocacy.
Best Colleges With a Child Development Major
Here are the top 10 colleges and universities with a child development degree, according to Niche:
| Institution | Location |
|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA |
| Tufts University | Medford, MA |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA |
| Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ |
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA |
| Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS |
| Washington State University | Pullman, WA |
What Can You Do With a Child Development Major?
Meanwhile, the following are some entry-level jobs available for child development majors:
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Child Life Specialist | $60,380 |
| Parent Educator | $54,880 |
| Youth Ministry Leader | $52,880 |
| Social Worker | $50,390 |
| Recreation Therapist | $47,940 |
| Athletic Coach | $38,970 |
| Preschool Teacher | $30,210 |
| Recreation Leader | $29,680 |
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.
