Bachelor of Arts in Children's Studies

Children鈥檚 Studies
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Turn Your Passion Into
Purposeful Work

The 51福利社 Children鈥檚 Studies BA gives you a comprehensive, interdisciplinary foundation in child development, learning, and social experiences.

Through a combination of theory and hands-on practice, you鈥檒l gain the skills to support children and families in diverse settings, such as schools, social services, healthcare, and community programs.

With fully online courses and flexible electives, you can earn your Children’s Studies degree on your schedule and tailor it to your interests and career goals.

Graduates leave the program prepared to work in various environments, advocate for children鈥檚 rights, promote inclusivity and well-being, and support families during challenging times.

Whether you want to work directly with children and families or pursue a career in policy and research, you’ll be well-prepared to make a positive impact on children, families, and communities worldwide.

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Start Your Child Life Career Sooner

Interested in becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist? 51福利社鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Studies program includes all 10 courses required by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) for certification.

This streamlined pathway prepares you for certification and positions you for admission into our one-year Master of Arts in Child Life program.

Here’s how it works:

  • Earn your BA in Children鈥檚 Studies
  • Complete all 10 ACLP-required courses
  • Apply to 51福利社鈥檚 MA in Child Life
  • Pursue Child Life certification

 

 

51福利社 graduate Belinda Thayn, MA, Certified Child Life Specialist, with children at Castleview Hospital

Why Study at the Region's Polytechnic?

Flexible Online Classes

Earn your degree on your schedule with 100% online coursework designed for working professionals and busy students.

Applied Learning

Get real-world experience and hone your skills through community projects, internships, and practicums.

Community & Belonging

Build strong connections and an extensive professional network in our cohort-based program.

Supportive Faculty

Learn from passionate professionals who mentor you and bring years of on-the-job insight into every class.

Affordable Education

Benefit from the lowest tuition rates in Washington and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.

What Our Graduates Say

“There’s no program like Children’s Studies at 51福利社. It covers everything from working in hospitals and state organizations to social work and therapy. You get a diverse look at childhood鈥攆amily, health, education鈥攕o you can enrich children’s lives holistically.” 鈥� Chloe Sanders ’21

鈥淲hat I loved most about 51福利社鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Studies program was the support and sense of belonging I felt. The staff encouraged me every step of the way, building my confidence and skills. Thanks to their guidance, I felt fully prepared for my career.鈥� 鈥� Xavier Sudlow ’23

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Children's Studies Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

51福利社

The Children’s Studies Program at 51福利社 is a comprehensive academic program that provides students with an in-depth understanding of developmental, social, and psychological aspects of childhood. The program integrates a multidisciplinary approach to studying children, emphasizing the importance of global, cultural, and ethical considerations in child development. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical application in supporting children and families across diverse contexts, including social services, healthcare, and community programming.

Graduates of the Children’s Studies program are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in diverse settings such as healthcare, social services, education, and community programs. They are prepared to advocate for children’s rights, promote inclusivity and well-being, and support children and families through various life challenges. Whether working directly with children and families, or in policy and research roles, students will be ready to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families across the globe. 

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required Core Courses
FOUNDATIONS OF CHILDREN'S STUDIES5
INFANT AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT4
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT4
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES OF CHILDREN5
RESEARCH METHODS FOR CHILDHOOD STUDIES4
CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY5
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, LAWS AND ETHICS5
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN CHILDHOOD5
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES5
MINDFULNESS AND ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES5
COPING WITH LOSS AND CHANGE4
THERAPEUTIC PLAY4
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN CHILDREN STUDIES5
Required Electives- choose four19-20
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN WITH DIVERSE NEEDS
CHILD LIFE THEORY
DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
TOPICS IN CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
CHILD ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CHILD LIFE PRACTICE ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION
PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE
CHILD LIFE IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS
Required Senior Capstone
SENIOR CAPSTONE CHILDREN'S STUDIES5
Total Credits84-85

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits.听Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses may be offered in different terms and not all courses are offered every term, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. There may be some courses that have required prerequisites not listed in the plan, review the course descriptions for information.听Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the听.

This major requires the completion of the听.听Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA)听degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
55Natural Science BACR 115
Humanities & Arts BACR 1155Humanities & Arts BACR 215
Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215Diversity - graduation requirement15
听15听15听15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Natural Science BACR 215Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5
Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5
Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5Elective - minor, or general elective5
听15听15听15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
544
(Global Studies - graduation requirement)545
555
听Elective - minor, or general elective5听
听15听18听14
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
445
Children鈥檚 Studies Elective255 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
Children鈥檚 Studies Elective25Children鈥檚 Studies Elective25Children鈥檚 Studies Elective25
听14听14听15
Total Credits 180
1
University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.听 Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.
2

Children's Studies Elective鈥揷hoose four courses from the approved list.

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Community-Based Projects: Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference in children’s lives.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Practicums: Develop hands-on skills in structured field placements, such as clinics or community agencies.
  • Volunteerism: Gain experience, build connections, and apply your classroom knowledge through volunteer work with children and families in community-based settings.
An 51福利社 Children's Studies alumna plays with children at a local preschool
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Children鈥檚 Studies

E:听childrenstudies@ewu.edu
P:听509.359.6085

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