Division of Child Development and Family Studies
Mission
The Child Development and Family Studies program provides graduates with academically challenging preparation for professional positions working with children, youth, and families to better serve local, regional, and global communities.
Degree Information
All programs are delivered 100% online.
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Child Development and Family Studies
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree offers a flexible program that allows students to utilize their workforce-based college credit hours and/or documented workforce training toward obtaining a degree. Up to thirty-three hours of workforce credit can be applied towards the degree.
Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies
The Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies is designed for students who want to work with children and families outside of the public school setting.
Concentrations
Our program is designed with three concentrations to provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge, leadership skills, and cultural competencies to work with children and families.
- Early Childhood – The Early Childhood concentration provides students with knowledge and experience in working with young children in a classroom setting. Students will have completed coursework and are eligible to obtain a director’s licensure for licensed child care programs in Texas or an early intervention specialist certification.
- Family Life – Family life education focuses on parenting, family resource management and human intimacy. Students can work in adoption, foster care or family life education. Students are eligible to apply for the provisional certification in family life education through the National Council on Family Relations upon graduation.
- Child Life – Child Life prepares students work with children in hospital settings. Upon graduation, students are able to apply to become a certified child life specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals upon completion of coursework, ALCP practicum, internship and certification exam.
Master of Science in Child Development and Family Studies
Tarleton State University’s online Master of Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies expands your career opportunities in educational and community settings. This graduate program in Child Development and Family Studies emphasizes content areas such as theories related to families and children, research methodology, and current issues impacting child development and family dynamics. By providing an intellectually rigorous curriculum studying children, adolescents, and families across the lifespan, our online Master’s program prepares you for career advancement throughout the field of child development.
Program Endorsements and Approvals
The Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) has endorsed ten courses on the Child Life concentration. These courses fulfill one of the requirements for the Child Life Specialist certification.
The National Council on Family Relations has designated the Family Life Education concentration as a Certification in Family Life Education approved program. Students who graduate under this concentration can apply for their Provisional Certification in Family Life Education upon graduation
Student Testimonials
“Tarleton’s Child Development and Family Studies (CHFS) program thoroughly prepares students for the complexities of working with children and families in today’s world. The curriculum goes beyond fundamental child development concepts, addressing modern issues such as various family structures and pediatric mental well-being. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also equipped with the empathy and social awareness needed to support children and families from all backgrounds.
One of the program’s greatest strengths is its hands-on, concentration-focused field experiences. The opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings provided me with the confidence and practical skills necessary for a seamless transition into my career in foster care. Tarleton’s CHFS program is an exceptional choice for anyone passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.”
- Hannah Zeinert, Outstanding Departmental Undergraduate Student, Spring 2025
Students have the opportunity to conduct their own research projects under faculty guidance or assist faculty with their ongoing research. Previously, students’ work has been presented at the TXAEYC Annual Conference and the TxCFR Annual Conference.
Each spring, the CHFS program hosts at least two Service Day projects that benefit children and families in many communities. Students on the Stephenville campus will have the opportunity to perform service in person, and distance learners are offered a project that allows them to participate near where they live.
The CHFS Club provides opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to socialize, provide community service, and learn more about the overall field of child and family studies.