Careers for a Masters Degree in Child Development

A masters degree in child development may prepare you for a rewarding career in which an understanding of childhood development is required. Job candidates with a masters degree in child development may find careers in the fields of education, community services, social services, communications, business or government. Career specialties in the field of education include education administrator, child day-care director, child life specialist and special education teacher.

Education administrators must have strong communication skills, as the job requires collaboration with others. The position is a leadership role. The administrator directs the day-to-day operations of facilities such as schools, colleges, universities or community service organizations. Responsibilities include setting educational goals for the organization and making sure the required policies and procedures are followed. An example of an education administrator job is that of an elementary or secondary school principal. The principal is responsible for hiring teaching staff and working with them to maintain a high curriculum standard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 there were approximately 445,400 education administrator jobs in the United States. Salaries vary widely based upon the specific job, education and experience.

Job opportunities will continue to grow for qualified child daycare directors due in part to the rise of two-income families seeking quality daycare. A child daycare director may find employment at daycare centers, preschools or early childhood education centers such as Head Start. The director establishes the overall objective and and standards for the center. He is also responsible for marketing, staffing, budgeting and other administrative tasks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a child daycare director was $37,270. Salaries vary according to establishments, education and experience.

The child life specialist is responsible for assisting children who have medical situations which could impair their development into stable young adults. The specialist helps children express difficult emotions and learn to cope with difficult life situations. The child life specialist must be an effective communicator as daily interaction with educators, parents and medical personnel is a job requirement. The Child Life Council offers the designation of Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 12.3 percent increase in employment through the year 2018.

Special education teachers have are challenged with educating, understanding and motivating children with special needs such as developmental disabilities. The job involves teaching not only education but also basic life skills. Many students will require remedial instruction. Teaching methods may include intense individual instruction, group work and problem solving assignments. The special education teacher must make sure special accommodations are provided to students who need assistance with test taking such as reading the test aloud or allowing additional time to complete tests. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be developed for each special education student. Job prospects remain excellent with the increase of special education students and a shortage of qualified teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median salary for a special education teacher in 2008 was $50,020.