Child Development
Earn your MS in Child Development in 12-18 months for less than $15,000. Designed for working professionals, this program is offered up to 100% online. Enjoy a quicker pace with seven-week courses.
Program Features

- Degree completion in as little as 12 months, or 31 credit hours*
- Up to 100% online
- Face-to-face course options in Denton
- Seven-week courses
- Thesis or Professional Option
- Knowledgeable and supportive faculty with expertise in child development, child life and developmental psychology
*Individual requirements may vary
Program Information
The master’s degree in child development covers child growth and development from infancy through adolescence, including cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Students explore major theories and empirical research on child development and how it applies to work with children and families.
Gain marketable skills:
- Practical application of child development knowledge in work with children and families
- Ability to critically consume research literature
- Ability to apply research evidence to professional practice
- Developmental assessment skills
- Written communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
Program Faculty
- Melissa McInnis Brown, PhD
- Rhonda Buckley, PhD
- Kathryn Cantrell, PhD, CCLS (currently only accepting Child Life advisees)
- Elizabeth McCarroll, PhD, CCLS (currently only accepting Child Life advisees)
- Katherine Rose, PhD (currently only accepting Child Life advisees)
- Azucena Verdin Peralta, PhD
Career Opportunities
- Child care administration
- Child and family advocacy
- Early childhood intervention
- Community outreach
- Parent education
Admission Requirements
Admission to the M.S. in Child Development
Program Contact
Melissa McInnis Brown, Ph.D.
940-898-2675
mbrown50@twu.edu
Application Deadlines
Rolling admissions
Priority Dates:
Fall - July1 Spring - November 1 Summer - April 1
Admission Requirements
- Completed bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework.
- Submit the following documents into the application:
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume highlighting relevant education, experience, and employment.
- Email address for an academic or professional reference who can speak to your academic abilities and potential (they will be contacted with a link to upload their letter).
- Letter of Intent/Essay (500 words) that meets the following expectations:
- Clearly state the reasons for pursuing a master's degree in Child Development
- State your professional and educational experiences and goals
- Be sure that your goals align with program outcomes
- Indicate why you would be a good fit for this program
- Indicate how you plan to use the degree after graduating
- Identify which topics in child development you are particularly interested in
- Use professional, formal language and tone
- Use correct grammar, spelling, and syntax.
How to Apply
Effective February 1, 2023: Students applying for Spring 2024 and beyond in the following programs will use the New Graduate Application Portal - M.B.A., M.H.A., M.S. in Child Life, M.S. in Child Development, and Ph.D. in Child Development and Early Education. All other programs, and those programs above wishing to start Summer or Fall 2023, will continue with the ApplyTexas application and will need to submit any required documents for M.S. in Child Life, M.S. in Child Development, and Ph.D. in Child Development and Early Education to hdfsc@twu.edu . Please contact the Office of Admission with any questions at 940-898-3188 or graduate@twu.edu.
- Review Admissions Requirements for the program for which you are applying.
- Review the Admission to the Graduate School information in the Graduate Catalog.
- Create an account and apply for admission via the New Graduate Application Portal. In the application process, you will be asked to provide any supplemental documentation identified in the Admissions Requirements referred to above. *Students enrolling for Summer or Fall 2023 will apply through ApplyTexas.org and need to submit all required documents to their program of choice.
- Submit any required official test scores and transcripts.
- International students should visit the International Affairs webpage for additional information and requirements.
For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit twu.edu/admissions/graduate-admission/.
Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.
Interested in a PhD?
Learn more about the PhD in Child Development & Early Education.
For more information
Melissa McInnis Brown, PhD
Associate Professor
940-898-2675
mbrown50@twu.edu
Page last updated 11:05 AM, March 15, 2023