Looking Ahead to Careers
The degree programs in Human Development and Family Services will prepare students to be involved citizens at the local, state and national levels; to assist children, youth and families; be critical thinkers and leaders for tomorrow; and be able to apply the interdisciplinary social sciences to benefit society.
Child Development Degree Program
Child Development focuses on the study and education of pre-primary and early elementary children. This degree program prepare students for teaching positions from birth through age 8 and in pre-Kindergarten through middle school, public or private school settings. Students can choose a concentration in Preschool Teaching in an Early Childhood Education Setting or apply as a candidate for the Teacher Preparation Program in the College of Education for an Elementary Education Teaching Certificate. Careers in Child Development include:
- Elementary Education Teacher
- Preschool or Nursery School Teacher or Director
- Head Start Teacher or Director
- Nanny or Au Pair
- Child Care or Toy Consultant
Graduates from the Preschool Teaching in an Eatly Childhood Education Setting are considered qualified to serve as teacher in the Great Start Readiness Program, Michigan's state-funded prekindergarten program in non-school district settings. A letter from the State of Michigan, Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services is available to graduates of this program at the end of their degree program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- Programs in early childhood education, such as full day kindergarten and universal preschool, will create new jobs for preschool teachers.
- Employment of preschool age teachers is expected to grow 27 percent or more.
- Wage and jobs in the child/day care services industry are projected to grow 38 percent.
Graduates from the Child Development degree with the Elementary Education Teacher Certification concentration are eligible to progress to the 5th year Teaching Internship to earn an Elementary Education Teaching Certificate with a teachable major and the Early Childhood-General and Special Education Endorsement after successful completion of the MTTC test, appropriate gpa's and other requirements.
Human Development and Family Studies (formerly Family Community Services) Degree Program
Human Development and Family Studies prepares students to work in community, government, faith-based and non-profit agencies and organizations that deliver human services to assist individuals and families, such as:
- After-school programs
- Programs for teen parents
- Counseling agencies
- Military children, youth and family services
- Adoption agencies
- Foster Care agencies
- Homeless shelters
- 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Credit Counseling Firms
- YMCA/YWCA
For more information about career options after graduating, please schedule an appointment with a Career Services Advisor or an HDFS Academic Advisor at: https://ntweb11.ais.msu.edu/aas/. Prospective students can call the office or send an email to set up an appointment hdfsadv@msu.edu.