Bachelor of Arts in Children's Studies

Children’s Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarships
Contact Us

About

The Online Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Studies program includes two options. Each option has been designed for specific groups of students with different goals for the future.

Option A: Child Life and Health

The Child Life and Health option is designed for students pursuing certification in Child Life with the Association of Child Life Professionals and for those pursuing graduate work for future employment in medical fields working with children.

Option B: Social Services & Community Programming for Children

The Social Services & Community Programming for Children option is designed for students interested in pursuing work with children and/or families at the agency level. OR for students who want to pursue community-based work in learning and development.

*In 2025-26 the Children’s Studies program will not offer the Child Life or Social Services and Community Programs tracks. Instead, our program will include a set of core Children’s Studies courses that students will take and then electives will be offered that align with those wanting to go into the child life field or into the social services and community programs field. If you have any questions contact us.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, 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)

The Children’s Studies Program at EWU 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
CDST 300FOUNDATIONS OF CHILDREN'S STUDIES5
CDST 303INFANT AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT4
CDST 304CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT4
CDST 310GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES OF CHILDREN5
CDST 330RESEARCH METHODS FOR CHILDHOOD STUDIES4
CDST 386CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY5
CDST 402CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, LAWS AND ETHICS5
CDST 403DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN CHILDHOOD5
CDST 404TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES5
CDST 415MINDFULNESS AND ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES5
CDST 422COPING WITH LOSS AND CHANGE4
CDST 423THERAPEUTIC PLAY4
CDST 481EXPERIENTIAL 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 Catstone
CDST 490SENIOR CAPSTONE CHILDREN'S STUDIES5
Total Credits84-85

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. 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. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) 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
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015Natural Science BACR 115
Humanities & Arts BACR 115MATH 1075Humanities & Arts BACR 215
Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215Diversity - graduation requirement15
 15 15 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
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CDST 3005CDST 3034CDST 3044
CDST 310 (Global Studies - graduation requirement)5CDST 3304CDST 3865
CDST 4025CDST 4045CDST 4035
 Elective - minor, or general elective5 
 15 18 14
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CDST 4234CDST 4224CDST 4155
Children’s Studies Elective25CDST 4815CDST 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
Children’s Studies Elective25Children’s Studies Elective25Children’s Studies Elective25
 14 14 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.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.
2

Children's Studies Elective–choose four courses from the approved list.