Bachelor of Science in Child and Family StudiesHenry Predolin School of Nursing, Business, Education, and Health Sciences
Promote the well-being and development of children and families
You have a genuine interest in understanding and supporting children and families. As a student in the Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies degree program, you will prepare to work with children, adults, and families across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. This academic pathway will leverage your passion for making a difference, and open the doors to careers in education, counseling, healthcare, social work, and advocacy. Embrace the transformative journey of learning within a supportive community. In our program, students will join a cohort, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared growth. Recognizing the therapeutic value of our coursework, this cohort-based approach ensures that students feel connected, supported, and empowered throughout their academic journey.
Our curriculum emphasizes practical, industry-relevant learning to transition you from the classroom to real-world scenarios and will focus on the psychosocial, developmental, and behavioral aspects of children while examining their social, cultural, and family systems. With rigorous preparation and hands-on experience, you will delve into the field with confidence. Our approach is multidisciplinary, drawing expertise from esteemed faculty across diverse programs such as Child Life, Psychology, Education, English, Art, Music, and Theatre, fostering collaboration and a comprehensive learning experience. When you earn your degree with Edgewood College, you will have the skills, knowledge, and professional connections to enter an organizational setting and make a positive, long-lasting impact on the lives of others. Prospective students interested in advanced degrees will discover that the Child and Family Studies major serves as an exceptional foundation.
Located in Wisconsin’s capital city, Edgewood College’s location makes it an ideal choice for students pursuing this degree path. Madison, known for its expansive healthcare community, is home to several renowned hospitals including American Family Children’s Hospital – a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and partner of Edgewood College. A vibrant and engaged community both on campus and beyond, our picturesque location is the perfect blend offering a stimulating place to live and learn and a professional network that will position you to achieve your goals.
Madison, WI
On-campus
120
January 21, 2025
Careers within Child and Family Studies
$62,860
Average annual salary for a Health Education Specialist
A bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies prepares you for a variety of career paths. Careers with an asterisk (*) may require additional education.
- Certified Family Life Educator
- Child and Family Therapist*
- Child Life Specialist*
- Child Welfare Advocate
- Early Childhood Educator
- Family Advocacy
- Human Services
- School Counselor*
- Social Worker*
Child & Family Studies Program by the Numbers
10
Students per Cohort
8
Practicum sites
Child & Family Studies Student Spotlight
Allie Cline ’26
Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies, Child Life Concentration; with a minor in Psychology
“I chose the Child and Family Studies major because I want to pursue a career in the future where I can better the lives of children and families. My favorite part of the program is the endless support and advice that I receive from my advisors and professors.”
Featured Courses
Child Life 301 Introduction to Child Life
The child life profession, including theoretical and historical perspectives on child life; programming, job availability, trends affecting academic preparation; program requirements, field experiences, including practicum placements, internships and volunteer experiences; supplemental career options; interviews and presentations of program directors, child life professionals, and alumnae working in the field of child life.
Child Life 324 – The Helping Relationship
The role of the professional in helping relationships; family/professional partnerships emphasized. Includes childhood traumas, skills and methods of communication, personal support, and facilitation; personal assessment of skills needed in helping relationship professions, including child life, special education, social work, nursing, counseling, and teaching.
Psychology 301 – Methods of Human Services I
Students will learn and apply basic knowledge and skills for working directly with individuals and families (i.e., micro practice). Special attention will be given to the competencies of case management and interviewing, emphasizing communication skills and management of the helping relationship. The generalist perspective from social work will be used in a context of multiculturalism. Professional values and ethics will be employed as guiding principles to micro practice skills and decisions. In a practice course students should be prepared to take an active role in “hands-on” learning using demonstrations, dyads and small group-work.
Student Organizations
Edgewood College Child Life Association (CLA)
The Child Life Association – CLA – is a student run organization devoted to child life majors and students who have an interest in the child life field at Edgewood College. We provide opportunities for child life students to engage in activities related to the field and events throughout the community. Through the CLA we volunteer at places such as American Family Children’s Hospital and Gilda’s Club. In addition, we attend Child Life conferences, host resume workshops, and host Child Life Week on campus. Our goal is to make the Edgewood College community aware of child life, the benefits this career path provides for students, the impact a CCLS has in the lives of children and their families and provide networking opportunities for students.
Project Sunshine
Project Sunshine is a national volunteer-led program for pediatric patients and their families, bringing patients and volunteers together in hospitals through creative arts activities and other opportunities for social interaction and learning. We provide support to any child facing a medical challenge, whether that be acute, long term, behavioral, or developmental. When working in the hospital, we see children for who they are as unique individuals beyond their illness or diagnosis. We work with Child Life Specialists and other healthcare staff to create a space in the hospital environment for kids to socialize with each other and participate in fun activities that are both recreational and educational.
At our Edgewood College chapter, volunteers can participate in our “Sending Sunshine” events in which they assemble fun and interactive activities that will be sent to pediatric hospitals nationwide. These sunshine kits include developmentally appropriate materials used to spark joy, provide therapeutic value to the physical and emotional healing process, provide needed distraction, and assist hospital staff in building trust and rapport with patients.
Beat Childhood Cancer Edgewood (BCCE)
Founded by parents of children with cancer, Beat Childhood Cancer is a national organization whose mission is to drive childhood cancer research and raise awareness, making a difference in kids’ survival today. Inspired by their own children, they built a nonprofit organization with the hope of changing the story for the next family that will face a cancer diagnosis. BCCE is a student-led organization that partners with the national organization. Through a variety of fun activities such as student stress relief, build a bouquet, and penny wars, this compassionate group of difference makers brings the Edgewood College community together to raise awareness and financial support for childhood cancer research. BCCE also makes a local impact by hosting events like a book drive to support the local Children’s Hospital’s oncology floor.
Comprehensive Support & Mentoring
Faculty meet with students in the Child and Family Studies degree program frequently throughout each semester to provide 1:1 support, mentoring, and guidance. We integrate reflective practice into our coursework to debrief and share about hands on practicum experiences. Also, our faculty hold resume workshops and prepare students for their professional careers outside of coursework.
Faculty Spotlights
Katie Glass, EdD, CCLS
Associate Dean and Program Director, Child Life Program
KGlass@edgewood.edu
Regina Yocum, MA, CCLS
Senior Lecturer, Child Life Program
RYocum@edgewood.edu
Sarah Keyes, MA, CCLS
Lecturer, Child Life Program
Skeyes@edgewood.edu
Accelerated BS to MS Program
Edgewood College is the only academic institution in Wisconsin to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in child life. Not only can you get your Master of Science in Child Life degree, but through our accelerated BS to MS pathway, you can graduate in five (5) years. Within a highly competitive job market, an advanced degree will help you elevate your career while increasing your marketability. Undergraduate students can enroll in up to (6) credits of graduate-level coursework while working towards their bachelor’s degree. This initiative empowers students to start their advanced degree sooner, facilitating both an early start and cost savings.
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