Child Development Degree Programs
Child-Focused Graduate Programs and Professional Development
Enrich and improve the lives of children and families.
Erikson Institute offers graduate degrees, certificates, and professional learning focused on child development, early childhood education, social work, and mental health.
Why Choose Erikson?
Take the Next Step to Advance Children’s Wellbeing
Erikson’s focused approach gives students more than a degree or credential. It provides a child development lens they can apply throughout their careers, whether they work directly with children and families, support other professionals, conduct research, or lead programs.
Our graduates go on to change the world, one child at a time.
Core
Impact child-focused fields with a research-based child development program.
Child Life
Prepare for your role as a Certified Child Life Specialist in health care settings
Teacher licensure
Prepare to teach every child that walks through your classroom door in this Early Childhood Education Degree Program.
Early Intervention
Address early developmental challenges in infants and toddlers aged birth to 5 in this mental health-informed program.
Child & Family Clinical Focus
Serve children and help them overcome obstacles by earning your MSW degree with concentrations in Clinical Practice or Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.
Certificate
In this advanced certificate program, you will learn to support parent-child relationships through promotion, prevention, intervention, or consultation services.
Certificate
Learn skills and techniques for children who have experienced trauma and/or stress in Pre-K through eighth grade.
A Supportive Environment for Early Childhood Leaders
Erikson students bring different professional backgrounds and career goals, but they share an interest in improving the lives of children and families.
Professional Development to Advance Your Career
Erikson Institute provides professional learning for educators, practitioners, supervisors, organizational leaders, and other professionals who want to strengthen their practice.
Professional development draws on current research and expertise in areas including early childhood development, early care and education, developmental psychology, mental health, social work, leadership, and family engagement.
Explore our courses, seminars, and workshops for access to the latest research.
Is Erikson Institute Right for Your Career Goals?
Erikson programs support a range of professional paths involving children and families. Depending on your program and prior experience, graduate study may prepare you for work in settings such as:
- Early childhood programs and schools
- Hospitals and health care systems
- Early intervention programs
- Mental health and family-support organizations
- Social service and child welfare organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Research and policy organizations
- Government and public agencies
- Higher education
- Program leadership and administration
Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of applicants who complete the FAFSA are eligible for scholarships.
Learn more about financial aid opportunities at Erikson Institute.
Learn From Experts in Child Development and Early Childhood
Network with leaders and experts in your field.
At Erikson Institute, you’ll work alongside leaders in the field of child and adolescent development. Find out how experts in the field research and advocate on behalf of children throughout Chicago and, to that end, around the world.
Our Students…
The Future Starts Here
Ready to learn more?
Need help taking the next step?
Learn about graduate admission requirements, find out what you need to submit your application, and learn about the wealth of resources and support available to current and prospective students.
Start gathering the documentation you need for your application.
Find out what to expect after you submit your application.
Explore opportunities for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
Learn more about how Erikson supports students and prepares you for your career.
Discover how to bring your story to Erikson and review our international requirements.
Six Decades of Early Childhood Leadership & Expertise
Our graduate education brings together child development theory, research, professional practice, and field-based learning. Students learn from faculty with expertise across early childhood education, child development, social work, mental health, early intervention, research, and policy.
Erikson Child-Focused Academics FAQ
Erikson’s graduate programs and professional learning opportunities are designed for people who want to strengthen outcomes for children and families through their work.
Our students and learners include:
- Early childhood educators and teachers
- Social workers and family-support professionals
- Child life specialists
- Early intervention professionals
- Infant and early childhood mental health practitioners
- Developmental therapists and clinicians
- Program directors and organizational leaders
- Researchers and policy professionals
- Professionals seeking advanced expertise in child development
- Career changers preparing to enter child- and family-focused fields
Yes. Erikson offers 100% online graduate degrees and certificates, along with hybrid and in-person options for some programs. Current online offerings include programs in child development, early childhood education, early intervention, social work, and graduate certificates. Erikson says its online programs are designed for working professionals and include live virtual learning, with field experiences coordinated locally when required.
For Erikson’s master’s and certificate programs, applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or a completed master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants also submit a current resume and two essays—one program-specific and one focused on leadership. Erikson reviews applications holistically, considering academic, professional, and life experience, and individual programs may have additional requirements or deadlines. Discover all admission requirements.
Erikson graduates work in fields and settings including early childhood education, social work, early intervention, child life, mental health, family services, research, policy, program leadership, health care, and community-based organizations. Career pathways vary by program and professional requirements.
Yes. Erikson Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its HLC accreditation covers master’s degrees and certificates in fields related to child development and early childhood education, as well as the Master of Social Work. Erikson’s Master of Social Work is also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Attend an Early Childhood Studies Admissions Event
Higher Education Graduate Studies
Find Your Path at Erikson Institute
Take charge of your career and transform your practice with an early childhood graduate degree from Erikson.