Child development practitioners and researchers focus on fostering the intellectual and emotional development of children. The field focuses on the normal and atypical development of children and adolescents within the contexts of families, schools, peer groups and larger cultural surroundings.
The Child Learning and Development major provides undergraduate students a rigorous science-based curriculum that immerses them in the theories, findings, research methods and best practices that the scientific study of child development has to offer. There are opportunities for supervised and independent research, as well as field placements that involve working with children, families, schools and social services. Our students are prepared to pursue a wide range of careers in education, psychology, social work, family medicine, public health, family law, research and public policy.
| Degree Program | Honors Programs |
| Degree Plans | Program Contacts |
| Advising | Program Faculty |
| Career Preparation | Program Resources |
| Internships | Organizations |
Degree Program
The BS in Child Learning and Development requires 120 credit hours. The minor requires 18 credit hours.
Students are required to earn two Research Exposure Credits (REC) for each behavioral science core course in which they are enrolled for a maximum of six total credits each semester.
The UT Dallas undergraduate catalog provides an overview of the Child Learning and Development program, lists the major and minor requirements, and explains the fast-track program, which enables undergraduate students to take up to 12 hours of graduate courses that will count towards both UT Dallas bachelors and graduate degrees. To compile all your academic, campus and extracurricular interests into a presentation you can print out, follow the steps to Create Your Own Guide to UT Dallas.
Degree Plans
Students have the option of selecting the Child Learning and Development BS degree plan or a BS plan that includes EC-6 teacher certification:
Child Learning and Development BS
Child Learning and Development with EC-6 Teacher Certification
Students may also double major in Child Learning and Development and Psychology:
Double Major (CLD and PSY) with EC-6 Teacher Certification
The University’s course look-up site will help you find specific classes and times to fit your degree plan and schedule. The CourseBook site links to syllabi, class evaluations, and textbooks for all of UT Dallas courses. The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences' projected schedule of core classes will help you in your planning.
Advising
Visit with an academic advisor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences to create a degree plan. Freshmen must visit with an advisor before registering. All other students should consult an advisor before registering each semester.
To learn more about the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences’ Advising and Mentoring System, visit our advising website.
Career Preparation
The Child Learning and Development major prepares students for a wide range of careers in education, psychology, social work, family medicine, public health, family law and public policy.
The major is especially well suited for students seeking elementary teacher certification. Students will develop a strong foundation in child development and accumulate teaching skills by combining a degree in Child Learning and Development with an elementary teacher certification.
The University’s Career Center is an important resource for students pursuing their careers. Licensed counselors are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes, or helping students connect with campus recruiters, among other services.
Internships
Undergraduate juniors and seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible to enroll in an internship class. This class enables students to receive credit for one of four types of internship opportunities, each of which involves roughly eight hours of practicum work per week.
Read more about Behavioral and Brain Sciences internships.
Honors Programs
Incoming freshman with high standardized test scores and a high school GPA of 3.6 or higher should consider applying to Collegium V, a University-wide honors program.
Majors in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences who have completed at least 15 credit hours with a GPA of 3.4 or higher may apply to earn BBS School Honors.
Students intending to pursue doctoral-level graduate training in psychology, education, medicine, or related fields should consider applying to the Dean’s Scholars Program.
Program Contacts
Program Head
Office: GR 4.818
Phone: 972-883-2206
Program Assistant, BBS Undergraduate Studies Office
Kent Mecklenburg
Office: GR 4.528
Phone: 972-883-2360
Program Mailing Address
Child Learning and Development Degree Program
ATTN Kent Mecklenburg
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas
800 W. Campbell Rd, GR41
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-883-2360
Program Faculty
The core faculty in the Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development program specializes in developmental psychology and cognitive psychology.
Program Resources
Documents
Child Learning and Development BS Fast Facts
Websites
Create Your Own Guide to UT Dallas
Organizations
UT Dallas Organizations
Psychology Coalition
External Organizations
American Psychological Association
The Society for Research in Child Development
Internships Offer Students an Opportunity to Expand Their Knowledge
Recipients of the 2011 Undergraduate Research Scholar Awards receive funding for 69 projects
Assistant professor is interested in the ways family relationships contribute to emotional development
Dean's Scholars Enriches Educational Experience for BBS Undergrads
Study investigates parental influence on a child’s ability to use language effectively
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