Child Studies, BS

Bachelor of Science in Child Studies

Normal Time for Completion: Four Years

This program is offered on campus and online.

The Bachelor of Science in Child Studies program equips students with the necessary skills and techniques to support the development of children from birth through eight years old. Students will gain an understanding of the characteristics of infants, toddlers, and young children, as well as their developmental stages. They will also learn strategies to support the typical development of children and those with exceptional needs. The program emphasizes collaborative work with early childhood professionals, peers, co-workers, and families during their practicum. Additionally, students will apply learned theories while planning, teaching, and assessing young learners. The Bachelor of Science in Child Studies program is designed to prepare students to meet the standards for early childhood professional preparation set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The Bachelor of Science in Child Studies degree is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any educational credential, such as a state teacher's license or an early childhood certification. Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure. Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice.

Learn about teaching certification requirements through the state departments of education: https://www.ed.gov/contact-us/state-contacts.

Learn about early childhood education credentials through the Council for Professional Recognition: https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/about/learn-about-the-cda/.

NAEYC Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Child Studies program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The accreditation term for the Bachelor of Science in Child Studies program runs from March 2019 through March 2026.

Professionalism, Prevention of Abuse, and Safety in the Field of Early Childhood Education

Children deserve to be safe and well taken care of. Thus, one critical way to ensure this is to make sure that adults caring for and working with children have undergone a comprehensive background check and fingerprinting.

Background Checks & Fingerprinting Information

As a bachelor's degree candidate in Early Childhood Education or Child Studies you will be required to complete practicum field experiences. A criminal background check and/or finger printing may be required for any such observations and/or placements working with children.

Please note: The requirement for criminal background checks and/or fingerprinting is at the sole discretion of your chosen site/s in accordance with local, state, and federal law. Students are responsible for understanding and meeting any such requirements prior to engaging the aforementioned observations or field experiences.

Bachelor of Science in Child Studies Program Outcomes

1. Child Development and Learning in Context - Students will create nurturing and stimulating learning environments by applying early development and learning knowledge.
2. Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections - Students will apply comprehensive knowledge of family, culture, and community characteristics to establish effective relationships when engaging with families and children.
3. Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment - Students will observe and document children's learning using appropriate assessment tools and approaches while forming assessment partnerships with families and other professionals.
4. Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices  - Students will develop and implement an engaging curriculum that is meaningful, challenging, and achievable for all children, both as a group and as individuals.
5. Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum - Students will exhibit informed, reflective, and critical viewpoints in their work, incorporating knowledge from various sources to make well-informed decisions.
6. Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator - Students will demonstrate a strong professional commitment to children, families, colleagues, and the early childhood community.