Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies professionals are diverse, and so are their careers. Our curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in theories and research related to child development, family studies, and early childhood education. Our program also provides hands-on training to prepare students for careers working directly with children and families in school, home, and community settings. We offer a number of concentrations or “tracks,” that are tailored toward specific career paths. For example, students in our Family Studies program are qualified for careers in parent education, family life education, family services, youth work, and family engagement; Child Life prepares students to work with children in hospitals and other medical settings; Early Intervention prepares students to assess and provide specialized services for very young children in home, school, and community settings. Early Childhood Education (ECE) students are qualified to work in school and community settings with children from ages 0 – 8. Students in the ECE licensure track are uniquely qualified to teach K-3rd grade. Our Bachelor’s programs also serve as a “stepping stone” to a number of graduate programs in related fields.
Possible Careers
Family and Child
Career positions:
- Child Life Assistant
- Child Life Fellowship
- Certified Child Life Specialist
Certified Child Life Specialists have the opportunity to work in:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Doctor’s offices
- Dentist’s offices
- Hospice care
- Schools
- Funeral homes
- Camps
- Infant/Toddler/Preschool Lead Teacher
- Administrator of Center-based Early Childhood Education Programs
- Administrator of Faith-Based Early Childhood Education Programs
- Provider of Home-based services (owner/teacher)
- Home visitor
- Technical Assistance Specialist
- Family Specialist
- Nanny / Manny
- Teacher / Administrator in Head Start or Early Head Start
With additional training/degrees
- Consulting
- Research
- Counselor
- Higher Education
- Specialist with a local or state agency
- Trainer
- Licensing Regulator / Inspector
- Developmental Therapist, Associate
- Developmental Therapist, Early Childhood Specialist
- First Steps Services Coordinator
- Integrated Infant Classroom Teacher
- Integrated Toddler Classroom Teacher
- Integrated Preschool Classroom Teacher
- Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
- Parent educator
- Family casework and intervention
- Family resource services
- Foster and adoption services
- Activities Director in residential youth and senior programs
- 4-H youth development
- Youth worker
- Health and human sciences and family wellness
- Support specialist in residential programs for youth and young adults
- Government public policy/ family advocate
- Child and family research
- Business consulting on family policies
- Human resources
With additional training/ degrees
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Family law
- Sociologist
- Social science researcher
- Higher education/ college professor
- Family Services Administration
Early Childhood
With bachelor’s degree:
- Teacher in Kindergarten – Grade 3 classroom
- Teacher / Administrator in Early Childhood Education Program
- Teacher in Public Prekindergarten Program
- Owner or teacher of Family Child Care Home
- Nanny / Manny (male nanny)
- Home Visitor
- Teacher / Administrator in Head Start or Early Head Start
With additional training and/or Master’s degree
- Trainer
- Consultant
- Licensing Regulator / Inspector
- Higher Education
Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education
With bachelor’s degree:
- Teacher in Kindergarten – Grade 3 general or special education classroom
- Teacher / Administrator in Early Childhood Education Program
- Teacher in Public Prekindergarten Program
- Owner or teacher of Family Child Care Home
- Nanny / Manny (male nanny)
- Home Visitor
- Teacher / Administrator in Head Start or Early Head Start
With additional training and/or Master’s degree
- Specialist with a local or state agency
- Trainer
- Consultant
- Licensing Regulator / Inspector
- Higher Education