Resources:

Possible Careers:

• Behavior treatment specialists

• Applied behavior analysts

• Preschool teachers

• Youth care workers

• Childcare workers

Estimated Starting Salary:

• $30,000 - $40,000


Source: Zippia.com


Source: Zippia.com

Undergraduate Degree - Child Development

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development degree program combines a basic education in child development and family studies with a broad general education and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings. Students will choose either a concentration in Elementary Education Teacher Certification, which requires admission to the teacher preparation program, or a concentration in Preschool Teaching in an Early Childhood Setting.

Elementary Education Teacher Certification course work prepares graduates to work in the early grades of primary schools, kindergarten through third grade and to meet the requirements to earn an Elementary Education Teaching Certificate (kindergarten through fifth grade) with an Early Childhood General and Special Education Endorsement.

The Preschool Teaching in an Early Childhood Setting concentration prepares graduates to work in early childhood settings such as Head Start and preschools and in other child-related fields such as policy, health care, or administration. Students in the Preschool Teaching in an Early Childhood Setting concentration will be required to complete an independent study experience such as study abroad, study away, experiential learning, internship, or undergraduate research.  The child development major is appropriate for students interested in working with young children, birth through age eight.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development. Students pursuing the Elementary Education Teacher Certification concentration will be required to complete more than 120 credits.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Child Development major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 321.  This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree except for students pursuing the Elementary Education Teacher Certification concentration.
  3. The following requirements for the major:








a. All of the following courses (27 credits):


CEP 240 Diverse Learners in Multicultural Perspective 3


HDFS 211 Child Growth and Development 3


HDFS 320 Interaction with Children in Groups 3


HDFS 320L Interaction with Children – Laboratory 1


HDFS 321 Curriculum for Children (W) 3


HDFS 321L Curriculum for Children – Laboratory 1


HDFS 322 Infant Development and Program Planning 3


HDFS 322L Interaction and Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers - Laboratory 1


HDFS 421 Assessment of the Young Child 3


HDFS 424 Student Teaching in an Early Childhood Program 6

b. One of the following concentrations:


Elementary Education Teacher Certification


Completion of an Integrated Teaching Major in Integrated Science, Language Arts, Mathematics,or  Social Studies. For additional information, refer to the statement on TEACHER CERTIFICATION in the Department of Teacher Education section of this catalog.


Preschool Teaching in an Early Childhood Setting


1. All of the following courses (15 credits):



HDFS 145 The Individual, Couples and the Family 3



HDFS 414 Parenting 3



HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America 3



HDFS 472 Evaluation of Human Service Programs 3



HDFS 473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 3









Source: Michigan State University - Information listed is intended for educational purposes only, degree requirements are property of Michigan State University.