Undergraduates in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies have opportunities to learn about, work with, and develop new knowledge about infants, children, youth, adults, and families. The goal is to provide students with knowledge and skills that will equip them to work with individuals and families in their homes and/or in professional settings or to pursue graduate education in related fields.

Early Intervention
Early Childhood Educational and Exceptional Needs
Youth, Adult, and Family Services

Graduates have found that their CDFS education provides excellent preparation for a range of professional careers related to infants, children, youth, adults, and families. A vast majority of CDFS graduates hold professional positions in the child and family field.

• The largest proportion of graduates work in early childhood education and intervention positions. These include preschool teacher, special education teacher, family support worker, developmental therapist, and child care administrator.
• The second most common work setting is in social service agencies. Here, CDFS graduates serve as counselors or therapists, case workers, family support workers, and social service administrators.
• Graduates are also well represented in health settings. They hold positions such as child life specialist, developmental therapist, and administrator.

In a survey, CDFS graduates reported being well prepared in their knowledge of child development, in families and family processes, and in their overall preparation for working with individuals and/or families.

More than one-fifth of CDFS graduates of the past 10 years either have completed or are in the process of obtaining a graduate degree in a CDFS-related field such as counseling, child development and family studies, marriage and family therapy, early childhood education, and education.