Program Description

The Liberal Studies Child Development major is designed to help men and women interpret and integrate the ever-growing body of knowledge about children and their environments and determine implications and applications of that information. The major provides a holistic approach to the study of children birth to eighteen.

When students take the core courses they will be oriented to basic principles, theories, and practices of child development.

After completing the core classes students select courses in an emphasis and specialization area that provide greater depth and/or breadth in related topics. The emphasis and specialization areas can be designed to provide opportunities for career preparation.

Students completing the degree requirements earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Liberal Studies/Child Development. The program is unique in that:

• the core courses, which all students take, give cohesive and comprehensive attention to children's development and socialization

• an on-campus practicum course is required of all students

• additional options for practicum experience with children or families in different settings are available to students in the emphasis and/or specialization areas

• coursework beyond the core is based on the student's own identified educational goals

The child development faculty have instituted a number of features to help students connect with the department, the campus, and the faculty.

These include:

• a department newsletter
• a student resource room

• career files
• academic advising

• special weekend workshops/conferences
• a grants/scholarship program for attending out of the area conferences

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Last revision 2/1/07