Child Development
The UMES Child Development program provides for traditional in-person students and non-traditional, online students a non-licensure, broad and interdisciplinary background preparing students to work with children and their families. Students learn basic and applied concepts of human development and acquire skills in working with young children of varying abilities and backgrounds and with their families in a variety of settings. Courses are delivered in-person and online for our traditional students, while our virtual (fully online) students will work asynchronously in eight-week courses.
In addition to classroom instruction, the Child Development students spend 10 hours of field experience for many courses working in group settings in options such as the campus Child and Family Development Center and in off-campus child care, social and human service opportunities. For non-traditional online students, we encourage you to complete these hours in your own programs.
The Child Development concentration serves to focus on supporting practitioners and pre-practitioners who want to work with children from birth to age 8. The Child Development faculty are passionate about working with young children and care about the success of students in the concentration. In addition, the faculty are strong advocates for early childhood as a profession and are invested in the individual students.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Human Ecology with a Concentration in Child Development will allow students to work directly with children in child care facilities, such as center directors/administrators, infant and toddler teachers, and after-school/out-of-school programs. Graduates may find employment with state offices, such as licensing and resource & referral programs. Students choosing this degree program can broaden their career possibilities by completing courses in related areas such as business, recreation or nutrition that complement the training in Child Development. In addition, successful completion of the Child Development bachelor’s program provides excellent preparation for graduate studies. Many students go on to pursue certification or licensure in various concentrations via a master’s degree.
Child Development Recommended Course Sequence 2017-2019
Child Development Recommended Course Sequence 2015-2017
Child Development Recommended Course Sequence 2013-2015
Child Development Recommended Course Sequence 2011-2013
Statements on equal access, opportunity and non-discrimination.
