About CFD

The Department of Child and Family Development (CFD) is a highly integrated academic unit within the College of Education. The Department offers a B.S. in Child Development in Applied Arts and Sciences, a Master of Science degree in Child Development, and a graduate certificate (EC-TEaMH) in early childhood mental health. In addition, the department offers a Master of Science in Child Development with a specialization in Early Childhood Mental Health that meets licensure requirements for students wishing to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

Our Mission

Our mission is to prepare anti-racist, anti-bias professionals to address contemporary issues that affect the development, health, and well-being of children, youth, adults, families, and communities. This mission is accomplished through a culturally responsive curriculum with a strong emphasis on social emotional development, social justice, and equity-minded education. The program represents an interdisciplinary field of study with the basic assumption that development takes place across the lifespan in the context of the family, community, and public policy. The Department's emphasis on reducing structural inequities through community-based outreach, prevention, advocacy, innovative research, theory application, and inclusive practices provides CFD students with a strong foundation for training and careers in education, health-related professions, human services, law, academia, and other meaningful fields of work.

Help support our mission!

Learn about giving opportunities to help support us in our mission.

Our Students

We are very proud of the diverse and dedicated students of our department. Read below for a more in-depth view of our students and their awards, research, and experiences.

Outstanding Grads Spring 2023

Marianna Amato

Courtesy photo

Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Child and Family Development (graduate)
Program: M.S. in Child Development
Most influential faculty member: Vanja Lazarevic, Associate Professor, CFD

"I want to be a professor — that's the goal. This is something that really excites me because I would like to do what Dr. Lazarevic does and be a mentor for students. I also do mentoring now through volunteering but I would love to do it in higher education."

Wendy Antunez Verbyla

Photo by Arturo Rivas-Ojeda

Outstanding Graduate for: Department of Child and Family Development (undergraduate)
Program: B.S. in Child Development
Most Influential faculty member: Dan Bacon, Lecturer, CFD

"I hope to make a difference in the field of child and family development by putting what I have learned in my classes and all the advice I have received from my professors into practice. But also by looking at children through a different lens — one based on their strengths."