We are experiencing sporadically slow performance in our online tools, which you may notice when working in your dashboard. Our team is fully engaged and actively working to improve your online experience. If you are experiencing a connectivity issue, we recommend you try again in 10-15 minutes. We will update this space when the issue is resolved.

Overview

First steps, first words, the first day of school. A major in Child Development exposes you to all the details of a child’s growth, from birth until adolescence. You’ll learn about children’s physical development, including their sensory and motor skills. You’ll see how children progress socially. You’ll study the theories of how children learn, and how their intellectual understanding changes from year to year.


Since understanding the family is integral to learning about how children develop, your studies will expose you to family relationships so that you can observe how family members and other adults can help or hinder the developmental process. You’ll look at peer groups and school environments to see how they influence children, and you’ll study the complex issues of diversity and multiculturalism in educational settings.


Your coursework for a Child Development major will include classes in psychology, sociology, education, and the humanities. Most programs include a research component, and you’ll get practice in different research methodologies. Many students choose Child Development because they are interested in becoming educators, and with this major you’ll be getting a lot of hands-on experience working with children.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

  • Cognitive Aspects of Human Development

  • Developmental Psychology

  • Early Childhood Education

  • Ethical and Moral Development

  • Ethical Issues in Human Services

  • Experimental Methods

  • Family Development

  • Group Dynamics

  • Introduction to Language

  • Language of Representational Systems

  • Psychology of Thinking

  • Social and Personality Development

  • Statistical Analysis


HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION

A broad spectrum of courses in the humanities—English, philosophy, languages, religion, and others—will give you a good foundation for your college career. Any courses offered in psychology will be especially helpful in giving you a head start in your studies.