Your future in Child Development and Family Studies
The online Birth through 5/Pre-K non-certification option focuses on development
from birth through age eight, with an emphasis on preparing students to work
with young children and families.
Students will also complete field experiences and internships in early childhood
settings, including Pre-K classrooms, the West Virginia University Nursery
School, and childcare centers. The Early Childhood option is best suited
for students interested working with young children and their families, including
careers as a developmental specialist, parent educator, and early childhood
resiliency specialist.
The other major options in CDFS (Family and Youth Studies; Birth through 5/Pre-K
certification; Birth through 5/Pre-K certification, with an endorsement in
Pre-K Special needs) are not currently accepting students. Students interested
in these major options should contact cls@mail.wvu.edu for information on
the new majors in the Department of Counseling and Learning Sciences that
prepare students for careers in these fields.
The Benefits to Choosing Our Program
The BS degree in Child Development and Family Studies offers two curriculum
options: Birth through 5/Pre-Kindergarten and Family and Youth Studies.
Students in the Birth through 5/Pre-Kindergarten option of Child Development
and Family Studies will acquire:
- Knowledge of the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development
of young children in the family and preschool contexts.
- Skills in implementing appropriate curricula as well as developmental and
performance assessments.
- Ability to construct positive and enriched early childhood environments where
the young have the opportunity to develop skills for lifelong learning.
- Knowledge of current best practices that prepare young children to be competent,
independent learners.
- Ability to reflect on one’s knowledge and skills of teaching and interacting
with young children.
- Knowledge of how young children learn in order to prepare educational activities
in inclusive environments.
- Extensive field experiences with various ages of young children--infants,
toddlers and preschoolers and young school age.
Students in the family and youth option of Child Development and Family Studies
will acquire:
- Knowledge in human growth and development, adolescent development, human
sexuality, family issues and interaction, youth concerns and issues, and
related topics.
- Understanding of the various social contextual influences on adolescent development
and family functioning and the interactive relationships between families
and other societal institutions such as schools.
- Various strategies for working with adolescents and families in various social
service and community-based context.
- Hands-on experience working with children, adolescents, and/or families at
community agencies.
- Awareness of the multiple career paths for students in this area of study
along with options and opportunities for graduate studies.
Why choose a career in Child Development and Family Studies?
Content TBD
Career Outlook for Child Development and Family Studies
Students who graduate from WVU Online with the Child Development and Family
Studies B.S. degree may be prepared for the following careers. These are
only a few examples of some of the many opportunities that will be open to
you with this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required
for some positions.
Child, Family and School Social Worker
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook
Special Education Teacher – Preschool
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook
Kindergarten Teacher
Projected Growth: 4-6%
Secondary School Teacher
Projected Growth: 4-6%
Elementary School Teacher
Projected Growth: 2-3% *Bright Outlook
Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational Information
Network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training
Administration (USDOL/ETA).