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What is a program development specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Jaunelle Celaire

Do you know the professionals responsible for improving education quality in schools and other academic institutions? These are non-other than Program Development Specialists. They typically plan curriculums, choose textbooks, train teachers, and create programs for extracurricular activities.

As a developmental program specialist, you must have a bachelor's degree in history, mathematics, or another specific field of study. A graduate-level degree is encouraged by most employers. Additional education may be required to learn more about research studies, curriculum effectiveness, and student performance. It will help if you are equipped with new techniques and advancements in technology.

Similarly, you need to have outstanding oral and written communication skills. Decision-making and organizational abilities are also essential, primarily when you conduct research. Subsequently, in this position, your median annual salary would probably be around $61,210.

What general advice would you give to a program development specialist?

Jaunelle Celaire

Chair, Professor of Voice, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.
ScoreProgram Development SpecialistUS Average
Salary
4.2

Avg. Salary $53,724

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.5

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 6.34%

Black or African American 11.99%

Hispanic or Latino 16.34%

Unknown 6.50%

White 58.31%

Gender

female 70.81%

male 29.19%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Program development specialist career paths

Key steps to become a program development specialist

  1. Explore program development specialist education requirements

    Most common program development specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    65.1 %

    Master's

    23.1 %

    Associate

    6.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific program development specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    HR19.73%
    Youth Development16.91%
    Child Care15.02%
    Program Development11.46%
    Data Collection4.03%
  3. Complete relevant program development specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New program development specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a program development specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real program development specialist resumes.
  4. Research program development specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Develop windows forms programs to automate manual in-house processes integrate with third party applications using Microsoft VB.Net.
    • Investigate provider complaints to determine Medicaid contractor compliance with contracts, certification requirements, law, regulations, policies and procedures.
    • Require to process professional medical/personal information effectively while remaining compliant of all HIPAA laws and government privacy regulations.
  5. Prepare your program development specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your program development specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a program development specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable program development specialist resume templates

    Build a professional program development specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your program development specialist resume.
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
    Program Development Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for program development specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a program development specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first program development specialist job

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Average program development specialist salary

The average program development specialist salary in the United States is $53,724 per year or $26 per hour. Program development specialist salaries range between $34,000 and $83,000 per year.

Average program development specialist salary
$53,724 Yearly
$25.83 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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