Child Development (BS) - Family and Child Studies (non-licensure)

About

The Child Development (BS) - Family and Child Studies (non-licensure) degree at Appalachian State University is designed to give you a broad base of knowledge about children and families. In this major, you will take courses in all areas of child and family studies – from conception through adulthood.

Graduates of this degree can work in non-public school settings and agencies with children and adolescents. They create supportive environments for children and families that will assist professionals who work directly with families and family service agencies. They also work closely with families of children and adolescents to help families understand how they can support positive developmental and educational outcomes.

Students choose an area of focus including: Early Childhood, Early Intervention, Child and Family Support and Services, or Programs and Services for Middle Childhood and Adolescence. Two required field experiences will develop your professional skills so you are ready for the workplace.

After Graduation

Employment: Both at the state and national level, there has been a call to increase funding for early childhood. Graduates of this program find jobs in non-school settings such as Early Intervention agencies, Smart Start Partnerships, directing summer camps, early care and education centers, teen pregnancy programs, or with organizations such as Child Life Council, March of Dimes, Make a Wish Foundation and Cooperative Extension.

Graduate School: Complementary graduate programs include:

Birth through Kindergarten
Early Intervention
Professional School Counseling: Master of Arts (MA)
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Reading Education: Master of Arts (MA)
Special Education: Master of Arts (MA)
Child Life
Human Development and Family Studies

People

Student Profile: Regan Early
“I knew I had a heart for working with and helping children and families… [with this degree] I know I will be prepared to work with children and families.”
– student Regan Early of Mint Hill

Courses

Related Programs

Minors

A minor is not required for this degree.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Child Advocacy Club – a child development advocacy organization working to educate and advocate the rights of the children in the community. Service projects include escorting children in the homecoming parade, hosting diaper drives and book drives, building a children’s library at the area homeless shelter, supporting March of Dimes and more.

Early Childhood Care and Education Leaders Club (ECCEL) – a club promoting the field of early childhood education, developing student leadership and advocacy skills, and connecting current students with mentors and alumni while raising awareness of the need for highly trained professionals in early education.

View all student organization contacts

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

This program includes opportunities for study abroad. Students have studied in Australia, Africa and Costa Rica.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

The Child Development (non-licensure) degree is designed to give students a broad base of knowledge about children and families.
Students also gain experience on campus at the Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program (LBCDLP), a Reggio-inspired child development program with an emergent curriculum.
Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Child Care Resource and Referral
Child Life
Directing summer camps
Director of early care and education centers
Early Intervention Agencies
Cooperative Extension
Non Profit (e.g., March of Dimes, Make A Wish Foundation)
Smart Start Partnership
Starting your own home early care and education center
Teaching in early care and education
Teaching in Smart Start
Working with teen mothers
Directing after school programs in the public schools

Contacts

Reich College of Education

Department of Family and Child Studies

Denise Brewer
Chair
brewerdm@appstate.edu
828-262-7966

Teressa Sumrall
Program Director of Child Development
sumralltc@appstate.edu
828-262-2660

Andrea Anderson
Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program Director
andersonaw@appstate.edu
828-262-3006

Department of Family and Child Studies
The Department of Family and Child Studies in Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education prepares students to assume professional roles working with children and families in school and non-school settings. The department focuses on the developmental study of families and children in all areas of society and in all cultures.

Reich College of Education
Approximately 2,400 students
- The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.
Teacher preparation
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. There is at least one RCOE graduate working in every county in North Carolina.
- The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.
Close ties to public schools
- The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.
- The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.
Graduate programs
- The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
- Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.