As a family and consumer science major, you’re prepared for a career teaching a wide variety of ages.
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
Main Campus - Cape
Child & Family Studies: Child Development Major
BS
On-Campus
Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's Degree
PROGRAM TYPE
Undergraduate
LOCATION
DEPARTMENT
Make a lasting impact where it matters most. In Child & Family Studies, you’ll learn to guide, support, and advocate for children and families through every stage of life.
The study of child development encompasses the human life span from conception through adolescence and provides a foundation for your professional role in human service and education.
Where Bold Ideas Take Shape as a Child Development Major
- Interact one-on-one with qualified faculty in face-to-face and online classes.
- Acquire first-hand knowledge of child development in action through experiential learning with children and families in a variety of university and community settings.
- Apply child development knowledge to create healthy, supportive learning and care environments.
- Complete a Child Development Career Internship, the capstone of integrated study.
- Be prepared to collaborate with allied professionals in government, corporate, education, and social service settings.
- Gain real-world experience. 100% of Southeast programs offer real-world experience. During the final year, majors complete a Child Development Career Internship, which is the capstone of integrated study.
What Can You Do with a Child Development Major?
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Child Development Major Graduates
Child Advocacy Specialist Child Care Assistant or Lead Teacher Child Care Program Director Child Development Consultant Children’s Department Service Worker Community Service Specialist Developmental Assistant Early Interventionist Family Child Care Provider Head Start Educator, Administrator, Field Supervisor, or Specialist Maternal Health Program Child Care Coordinator/Trainer Out - of - School/School - Age Child Care Educator Parent Education Specialist Pregnancy Prevention Program Coordinator/Trainer Resource and Referral Professional Women’s Safe House/Shelter Children’s Program Spe cialist
Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Child Development Major Graduates
Southeast Missouri State University , Cape Girardeau, MO University of Missouri, Columbia, MO Erikson Institute, Chicago, IL Kan sas State University, Manhattan, KS
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Child & Family Studies: Child Development Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree
Child Development Major Jobs & Salaries
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$56k
Preschool and Childcare Center Director   
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a preschool and childcare center director is $56,270.
-
$41k
Preschool Teacher
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a preschool teacher is $41,450.
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$86k 
Social and Community Service Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a social and community service manager is $86,100.
Turn Ambition into Action
As child and family studies: child development major, you’ll learn about human life from conception through adolescence. Graduates work with children, families, and allied professionals in instructional, supervisory and support capacities. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, the General Education program, and 39 senior division hours (300-599).
Required Courses:
- CF102 Relationships in the 21st Century (3)
- CF120 The Child (3)
- CF209 Introduction to Family Theories (3)
- CF220 Emerging Adulthood (3)
- CF410 Culture, Ethnicity, and the Child (3)
- CF430 Parent-Child Interactions (3)
- CF520 Professional Ethics and Practice (3)
- ED535 The Trauma-Informed Professional (3)
- FE200 Family Finacial Management (3)
Child Development Option:
- CF124 Children’s Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3)
- CF200 Constructive Guidance and Discipline (3)
- CF215 Observation: Perception and Process (3)
- CF233 Creative Thought/Expression in Children (3)
- CF250 Family Child Care: Feasibility and Management (3)
- CF280 Learning Theory and Application: Preschool (3)
- CF285 Learning Theory and Application: Infant-Toddler (3)
- CF306 History and Theory of Child Development (3)
- CF310 School Age Child Care (3)
- CF315 Administration of Programs for Children and Youth
- CF330 Middle Childhood and Youth Issues (3)
- CF415 Legal Risks/Administrative Decision-Making in Programs for Children and Youth (3)
- CF470Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy (3)
- CF480 Child Development Career Internship (6)
- CF555 Child Advocacy III-Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse (3)
- CF570 Professional and Systems Responses to Child Maltreatment (3)
- EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
- LI243 Children's Literature (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
First Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- CF120 (3)
- CF124 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- CF102 (3)
- CF200 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average
Second Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- CF209 (3)
- CF215 (3)
- CF250 (3)
- CF280 (3)
- FE200 (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- CD220 (3)
- CF285 (3)
- LI243 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average
(Summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18-hour semesters.)
Third Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- CF233 (3)
- CF306 (3)
- CF315 (3)
- CF330 (3)
- EX390 (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- CF310 (3)
- CF410 (3)
- CF430 (3)
- CF470 (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- CF415 (3)
- CF555 (3)
- ED535 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (13 Hours)
- CF480 (6)
- CF520 (3)
- CF570 (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (1)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
What will it cost?
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DEGREE TYPE
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Contact Us
Phone
Location
Office Location
Scully Building 114
Mailing Location
One University Plaza, MS 5750
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701