College of Education and Human Development

Child Development and Family Relations

Why study Child Development and Family Relations at the University of Maine?

• We are the only Child Development and Family Relations program in the University of Maine system. The purpose of the program is to help students understand how people develop physically, emotionally and intellectually throughout their lives. We train our graduates to examine how relationships form in society and how they can help families in need.
• We focus on diversity, teaching students to work with children and families from marginalized groups and many walks of life. Our work aligns with state and federal priorities to assist our nation’s most vulnerable members: Infants and young children, at-risk youth, families in poverty, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and cultural minorities.
• We have a broad degree program to appeal to a variety of interests. Students who are interested in helping others, advocating for social change, and contributing to stronger and healthier communities will find the program to be an excellent path to a fulfilling career, whatever direction they choose.
• We focus on lifespan, from cradle to grave. From conception to adolescence to adult development and aging—we cover broad issues of family relationships, public policy, diversity and cross-cultural perspectives.

What can I do with a degree in child development and family relations?
Possible career paths include:

• Daycare staff/owner
• Family support professional
• Crisis worker
• Child life specialist
• Parent educator
• Family/child advocate
• Preschool teacher
• Family resource coordinator
• Youth counselor
• Family respite worker
• Family Life Educator
• Early Intervention
• Case/care manager
• Activity/recreation director
• Cooperative Extension Staff

Many students go on to obtain graduate degrees in areas of study, including:

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Law
• Occupational Therapy
• Public Administration/Nonprofit Leadership
• Psychology/Certified Professional Counselor
• Social Work
• Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• School Counseling
• Speech Pathology
• Reading/Literacy Specialist

Our undergraduate program
Students in the Child Development and Family Relations major can concentrate in either Individual and Family Studies or Early Childhood Education (within the Early Childhood concentration, students can choose to obtain K-3 teaching certification).

Our faculty
Our faculty have a deep commitment to quality teaching, advising and mentoring, as well as a variety of areas of expertise, including child development, sexuality, parenting/co-parenting, and clinical counseling practice.

Faculty members have strong affiliations with the following professional organizations:

• National Council on Family Relations
• Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
• American Psychological Association
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Opportunities to excel
Our majors can gain professional and research experience at the Katherine M. Durst Child Development Learning Center, a licensed nursery and pre-K program on campus that is one of the oldest such university-affiliated centers in the United States. Students can develop research skills through internships with faculty and apply concepts and theory during an integrated practicum or field experience. Students can join the Early Childhood Organization (EChO), which gives UMaine education students the opportunity to collaborate with peers from nearby colleges, teachers, social workers and others in the field, allowing them to build their network before they graduate. Students are also encouraged to join the Kappa Omicron Nu human sciences honor society.

We encourage our students to gain an international perspective on children and families through our short travel study courses to Mexico and Europe. In addition, we encourage our majors to spend a semester studying abroad in such places as England, Scotland, Italy and Ghana.

Links

Join the UMaine Child Development and Family Relations students and alumni Facebook group.

I’m ready to apply. Where do I go?

Visit go.umaine.edu for an application, as well as information about academics and life at UMaine.