This program provides the necessary preparation for early childhood professionals who wish to advance their knowledge and career opportunities with specialized study in administration, curriculum and teaching, or family support.

The child development and family studies program meets professional preparation standards developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. These six core standards and field experience expectations guide the Child Development and Family Studies B.A. program content and outline a set of common expectations for professional knowledge, skills and dispositions within the field of early care and education in conjunction with family studies.

The program supports students who desire a strong foundation in the field of early childhood development. Students are required to complete the program major and one of the specialized concentration areas: administration within the early childhood field, curriculum and teaching, or family support. Students entering the child development and family studies B.A. program with an A.A. or A.A.S. degree specializing in early childhood from a regionally accredited college or university will receive 20 transfer credits toward the program major. Any additional courses will need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

Flexible course delivery fosters successful completion for early childhood professionals living in both rural and urban areas of Alaska. All program and concentration area courses must be completed with a minimum C- grade or better, with the exclusion of all clinical practice course work, which must be completed with a B grade or better. Completion of the Child Development and Family Studies B.A. will meet the requirements for both a major and a minor.

Minimum Requirements for Child Development and Family Studies Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits