Child Development and Services
Western 麻豆传媒应用 University's child development and services major prepares individuals to work with children and their families in a range of care and service settings. The program includes selection of courses within one of two tracks: child programming and administration, which fulfills state of 麻豆传媒应用 requirements for childcare center directors, or child life foundations, which provides fundamental knowledge for service as child life specialist.
As a child development and services student at WMU, you will complete a semester-long internship that is aligned with your area of study. Internships are designed to enhance your understanding of current issues and practices, help you gain valuable work experience and grow your professional network and resume.
You can also gain valuable networking and professional development opportunities through student and community organizations, including the Child Life Student organization.
Studies in child development and services prepare students for effective practice in a range of human service roles and settings. Recent WMU graduates with degrees in child development and services are working as:
- Child, youth and family extension agents
- Parent educators
- Home visitors
- Adoption and foster care specialists
- Senior activity directors
- Juvenile court workers
- Childcare center directors
- Youth advocates
- Sexuality educators
Among the public and private human service organizations and agencies they work for are:
- Community, child and youth engagement programs
- Adoption, foster care and refugee services
- Childcare and out-of-school programs
- Summer camps
- Parks and recreation programs
- Senior programs
- Senior and youth residential services
- School-based services
- Museums
- Nature centers
- Children鈥檚 hospitals
- Adult and child protective services
All required core courses are available online. Students can also take the majority of classes for child development and services in-person on WMU鈥檚 Kalamazoo Main Campus.