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School of Education and Counseling

Child Development and Family Studies, BS

Children’s earliest years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and well-being. The Child Development and Family Studies program equips you with the skills to support children and families during these formative stages.

You’ll explore the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of young children within the context of families and early learning environments. Through classroom instruction and hands-on field experiences — including placements at the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Nursery School — you’ll be prepared for careers in early childhood care and education, youth and family services, early intervention, or graduate study in a related field.

Your Degree Plan The Â鶹¹ÙÍø Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Gain the skills to support young children and their families through hands-on learning and real-world experience. You’ll apply what you learn in classroom settings and local agencies, preparing for careers in child care, education, and family services.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Honors College. Two programs are offered: and .

The Â鶹¹ÙÍø Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Gain hands-on experience at the and through internships in community settings working directly with children, adolescents, and families.
  • Mentoring from experts in early childhood education, infant and child development, adolescent development, family science and public policy.
  • Opportunities to participate in research with faculty and present at conferences, with funding available to support travel to local and national events.
Scholarships

93% of Â鶹¹ÙÍø freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2023-24).

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Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Hands-on Learning

  • Apply what you learn in real-world settings through field placements that give you direct experience working with children, families, and community organizations.

Research

  • Build your research skills by working alongside faculty on topics such as fatherhood, childcare policy, parenting, and child care quality in West Virginia. You can earn course credit or participate in Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s .

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.

Median Salary: $56,270

Possible job titles include: Education Director, Preschool Director, Principal, Site Coordinator.

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Preschool Teachers

Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.

Median Salary: $37,120

Possible job titles include: Montessori Preschool Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher), Teacher, Toddler Teacher.

Explore Career

Instructional Coordinators

Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $74,720

Possible job titles include: Curriculum and Instruction Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technologist.

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Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Median Salary: $35,240

Possible job titles include: Instructional Assistant, Paraeducator, Paraprofessional, TA (Teacher Assistant).

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Childcare Workers

Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $32,050

Possible job titles include: Child Care Worker, Childcare Provider, Infant Teacher, Toddler Teacher.

Explore Career

Meet Your Community

The Child Development and Family Studies family will inspire and support you.

  • Portrait of Amy Kennedy Root.

    Amy Kennedy Root

    Professional highlights:

    • Â鶹¹ÙÍø Office of the Provost Most Valuable Player Award for Campus Health and Safety, 2020
    • Research interests: determinants of parenting, emotion socialization, impact of home visitation programs, children’s emotional development
  • Jessica Troilo

    Jessica Troilo

    Professional highlights:

    • Co-authored over 30 book chapters and journal articles and delivered over 60 presentations on family processes
    • Co-creator and trainer of a professional development program offered across West Virginia to support professionals impacted by addiction
    • Expert blogger, Psychology Today since 2017

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Facilities Thumbnail - Nursery School

Â鶹¹ÙÍø Nursery School

The Â鶹¹ÙÍø Child Development Laboratory (Nursery School) is designed to provide observational and practicum experiences for University students majoring in child development and family studies, curriculum and instruction, and other related fields.


  • It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Morgantown Campus.

  • You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience Â鶹¹ÙÍø in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Child Development and Family Studies major, first-time freshmen must meet Â鶹¹ÙÍø's . Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Child Development and Family Studies at Â鶹¹ÙÍø cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at Â鶹¹ÙÍø Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any Â鶹¹ÙÍø System campus.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Â鶹¹ÙÍø in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Child Development and Family Studies major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Child Development and Family Studies can enroll at Â鶹¹ÙÍø and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to Â鶹¹ÙÍø.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the Â鶹¹ÙÍø family.

Want to know more about Child Development and Family Studies at Â鶹¹ÙÍø? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if Â鶹¹ÙÍø is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit Â鶹¹ÙÍø

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.