Learn to work with children and families in a range of social service or educational settings
As a USJ Child Study major, you will learn to better understand children (birth through adolescence) and their families from a variety of perspectives.
Students combine coursework, internships, and other experiential learning, preparing them to:
Cultivate skills valued across a variety of human services, educational, and advocacy settings
Apply observation, theory, research, and best practices to support children’s success
Explore cultural diversity and best practices for working with children
Interested in teaching? Child Study is an approved major for students interested in teaching at the early childhood or elementary levels. To be eligible for an Elementary level Connecticut teaching license, students must also complete Elementary Education, B.S. Child Study majors interested in teaching at the early childhood level may complete a concentration in Inclusive Early Childhood Education that leads to a recommendation for grades preschool-grade 3 (PK-3) teacher licensure and grades PK-K Special Education teacher licensure in the State of Connecticut (CT Certification #113).
Please use this academic map as a reference guide. Academic advisors are always available to discuss the required courses depending on each student’s needs.
USJ in the News
cTechnology Boosts Early Childhood Program Collaboration for USJ and SYC
March 5, 2024 — New technology at School for Young Children at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford is an investment in next generation of early childhood educators.
Spring 2026 Pi Gamma Mu inductees (social science honor society)
Child Study Students Presenting at USJ Symposium Day 2024
Why USJ?
The Child Study program is closely aligned with USJ’s mission related to strong ethical values and service.
All Child Study students begin serving others in family and community environments during their very first courses and throughout their major.
Courses such as HDFS 250 – Ways of Studying the Developing Child, and HDFS 350 – Children’s Expressive Behavior instill a profound awareness of ethical considerations in working with children and families.
The program emphasizes service and social responsibility, preparing students to work in various educational and social service settings.
The experiential learning components, such as internships and field studies, provide students with opportunities to engage in compassionate service, a critical aspect of the University’s mission.
Student’s internships and field work experiences at USJ’s lab schools (School for Young Children & Gengras Center) provide them with applied experiences in objective observation, documentation, and interpretation of children’s growth and development – skills that are needed for both graduate school and employers in the field.
Program Mission: The Child Study program bases its professional curriculum on a firm liberal arts foundation (i.e. University of Saint Joseph General Education). Our goal is to educate students as human service professionals dedicated to the well-being and development of people across the life span and across diverse contexts. This mission promotes the growth of the whole person and fosters strong ethical values, intellectual curiosity, and personal integrity as well as a sense of responsibility and service to society.
Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs
Qualified students can take graduate-level courses during senior year, toward completion of an undergraduate degree, and transfer those credits into the master’s program. This results in significant financial and time savings. Program options include:
Public School Teaching (Positions Requiring a CT Teaching Certificate; See USJ Education Department for More Information):
Child Study majors who also complete a teacher certification program as an undergraduate student are eligible for a Connecticut teaching license as a teacher, elementary education (Grades 1-6)
Choose two internships from more than 80 approved agencies, which may include: Connecticut Department of Children and Families, Catholic Charities, Connecticut Juvenile/Family Courts, Connecticut Birth to Three Systems, Pregnant and Parenting Teen Services, and Youth Services Bureaus. Potential careers: caseworkers, counselors, teachers, youth service workers, early intervention associates, child advocates, probation/truancy officers, child care resources, and more.
Advantages
eStudents can minor in growing fields like gerontology, youth services, and students have the opportunity to qualify for accelerated master’s degree programs. Build connections and gain real-world experience through two internships.
Clubs and Organizations
Want more information about clubs at USJ? Visit the Office of Student Activities.Spring 2026 Pi Gamma Mu inductees (social science honor society)
The Child Study Program at USJ is uniquely positioned to prepare students for impactful careers in child and family development fields, with new emphasis on much needed early childhood preparation. Its interdisciplinary curriculum, robust fieldwork opportunities, and commitment to social justice distinguish it within the region. By maintaining quality, pursuing evidence-based best practices and addressing its challenges, the program can continue to thrive and expand its reach in the coming years.
Katharine Ann Buck, Program Director
Potential Careers
Human services and state agencies such as:
Birth to Three Early Intervention Associate – CT Birth to Three System
Case worker, Department of Children and Families or adoption agencies
Juvenile detention officer, probation officer, truancy officer or child advocate, CT juvenile justice system
Activities director, community center, youth service bureau
Lobbyist or advocate for child/family issues
Group home director for high risk youth; adults or youth with disabilities
Early Care and Education (Positions that do not require a Connecticut teaching certificate)
Teacher, private or parochial schools
Teacher, child care program or after school program
Teacher, home visitor, or educational coordinator, Head Start or Early Head Start
Character educator, social skills groups in urban schools or community agencies
Educational consultant or one-on-one aide for children with special needs
Public School Teaching (Positions requiring a CT teaching certificate. See University of Saint Joseph Education Department publications for more information)
Teacher, elementary education (grades 1-6)
Long-term Career Options
With more experience, training and/or education, Child Study majors may also move to positions of leadership in educational or human service programs:
Director or coordinator of a youth services or after-school program, community center, family or parent resource center, adult care facility; assisted living family liaison, case manager
The following career options are also available to Child Study majors with additional graduate level or specialized study
Community mental health counselor
School counselor
Social worker
Family psychologist
Marriage and Family therapist
Youth Services Director
Child/family advocacy attorney
I graduated from my occupational therapy program with my doctoral degree, and I am currently working as an occupational therapist in outpatient pediatrics. The Child Study major truly helped inform my career as an occupational therapist in pediatrics, especially in terms of understanding developmental milestones, documenting developmental progress, and addressing challenging behaviors. Currently, I work with children with a variety of diagnoses including ADHD, Autism, and Down syndrome and many of these children have difficulty regulating emotions. The Child Study major has given me a strong foundation in understanding and addressing social/emotional development so that I can be a holistic occupational therapist and treat the whole child.
Erin Buckingham ’19
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Questions?
Contact: Katharine Ann Buck, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Program Director of Child Study Phone: 860.231.2014 Email:[email protected]
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