USJ’s Child Study with a concentration in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, B.A. program prepares you to work in the field of early childhood helping shape the lives of children. The concentration within our Child Study program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Early Childhood program. This program leads to teacher licensure.
This program was approved by the Connecticut Board of Education as a certification pathway leading to the Early Childhood/Special Education-113. The 113 includes certification in Integrated Early Childhood/ Elementary Education N-3 and Special Education N-K.
Technology 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.
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
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.
Spring 2026 Pi Gamma Mu inductees (social science honor society)
Child Study Students Presenting at USJ Symposium Day 2024
CHILD STUDY – INCLUSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, B.A.
Early Childhood Career Outlook
With a degree in Child Study and Concentration in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, you are well-prepared to foster young children’s learning ability and social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. You can find rewarding and in-demand careers such as teacher, instructor, administrator, or director in child care programs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of preschool teachers will grow 18 percent…from 2020 to 2030.
Internships and Career Opportunities
With USJ’s on-campus lab school, the School for Young Children, students in the Inclusive Early Childhood Education program gain hands-on experience throughout their coursework. Students also intern in other early childhood settings (e.g., Birth-to-Three, center-based preschool, home-based preschools) across the state of Connecticut.
Our students enter the profession with educational expertise, personal, and professional confidence. Potential careers: early childhood education teachers, early intervention specialists, special education advocates, and with additional training in graduate school, as childcare directors, speech and language pathologists, and more.
Clubs and Organizations
Want more information about clubs at USJ? Visit the Office of Student Activities.
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