Human Ecology with a Concentration in Child Development

The program in Child Development provides a broad interdisciplinary background in the area of children and families. As the only four-year program in Maryland, it prepares students to work and/or teach others to work with children and their families. Emphasis is given to development within various family structures and to strategies for facilitating normal development. Students learn basic and applied concepts of human development and acquire skills in working with young children and their families with different abilities, and backgrounds in a variety of settings. In addition to classroom instruction, child development students spend time working in off-campus social and human service agencies. Students choosing this option can broaden their career possibilities by completing courses in cognitive areas such as business, recreation, sociology, social work, or nutrition that complement the training in Child Development. Successful completion of the Child Development program also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies.