BS in Family Sciences – Child Development Degree Help Kids Grow Stronger, Families Grow Closer, and Communities Grow Better

120

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Available Spring 2026 

Have you ever wondered how children learn, grow, and build connections with the world around them? Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family Sciences – Child Development can help you explore those questions in depth. This program is designed for students like you who want to understand both children and the families that support them.

With a child development degree online, you can prepare to step into roles that allow you to make a difference. You can help parents build stronger relationships with their kids, guide schools and community programs focusing on children’s needs, and contribute to resources that improve family life. Maybe you’re wondering, “What can you do with a child development degree?” The answer often points back to supporting children in ways that can ripple out to entire communities.

The child development bachelor’s degree is about taking your interest in human development and turning it into service. Whether you’re exploring how to become a child development specialist, wondering what education is required to be a child development specialist, or simply asking what you can do with a family science degree, this program can help you connect your education with opportunities to support children and families where it matters most.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family Sciences – Child Development.


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Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

What Sets Us Apart?

  • Private Nonprofit University
  • 600+ Online Degrees
  • No Standardized Testing for Admission
  • Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
  • Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Choosing the right program matters. Liberty’s online child development degree connects you with faculty who care about weaving together theory, practice, and service. The curriculum doesn’t just cover the basics of childhood growth – it invites you to think about what you can do with a child development degree and how this field impacts families, schools, and communities.

If you’re looking for an online family studies degree that emphasizes Christian values, we have just what you need. Our program seeks to help you think carefully about ethics and responsibility when working with children and families. Whether you’re considering what you can do with a family science degree or looking ahead to graduate study, this program encourages you to see how strong families create stronger communities.

Plus, pursuing Liberty’s child development degree online means you can access the same rigorous academics that residential students receive – but in a way that fits your lifestyle. With resources like academic support, career guidance, and a flexible structure, you can feel supported and equipped to take the next step in your education.


This child development major blends foundational family sciences topics with specialized study of children’s growth from birth through adolescence. Early courses will begin exploring the foundations of family sciences. These early studies can help give you the tools to think about how families grow and change over time and how different cultures and communities shape family life.

Additionally, you’ll dive into subjects focusing on child development at every stage. You’ll study how infants and toddlers learn, how children continue to grow during the early years of school, and how teens face new challenges as they approach adulthood. This program also examines how play, behavior, and family interactions affect a child’s overall development.

You can look closely at the responsibilities of supporting families and children in real-world settings. You’ll study the choices families make, programs that can help strengthen family life, and the ethical and legal issues affecting children today. Finally, you can participate in a capstone course that combines everything you’ve studied, helping you reflect on how to use this degree in child development to support children, families, and communities.

Degree Completion Plan coming soon  


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Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.


At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!

Undergraduate Full Time $390/Credit
Undergraduate Part Time $455/Credit
Military Undergraduate $250/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.


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Military

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

  • Active Duty
  • Reserve/National Guard
  • Veterans/Retirees
  • Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
  • Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

  • Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
  • Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
  • 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
  • Potential college credit for military training

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.