Child Development is offered as a major or minor on the BA/BS degree. The Child Development Major is an interdisciplinary degree that provides students with the opportunity to participate in courses from nine departments on campus. A Bachelor of Science degree requires a minimum of 45 hours, Bachelor of Arts requires 36 minimum course hours, and a minor requires 18 minimum course hours. Child Development majors are required to have a minor or a double major.
The Child Development Major at TCU is designed for students who plan to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those who plan to attend graduate school. Many of our students pursue graduate degrees in counseling, speech and language pathology, psychology, public health, occupational therapy, and education. Our students are employed in places such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Catholic Charities, Child Protective Services, and ACH Child and Family Services.
Child development majors can participate in The Hope Connection® 2.0 therapeutic weekend camps to gain real-life, hands-on experience working with children who have histories of abuse, neglect, and/or trauma. These camps serve as a place of healing for the entire family. Playful interactions and structure in an attachment and sensory-rich environment encourage children to develop an awareness of their own feelings, learn new ways to express emotions and better regulate their behavior. Through this camp experience, child development majors are able to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and put it into practice.
Child development students pursuing a major or minor in child development who have completed the required coursework can apply for a child development internship. Internships allow students to gain practical experience through a wide variety of opportunities, such as a Child Life Practicum at a children’s hospital or by implementing TBRI in an orphanage.