• Toll free: 1800 258 5772

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo , Michigan ,United States

BS in Child and Family Development

Western Michigan University's child and family development program will prepare you to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children and their families in a variety of settings. This program meets state of Michigan requirements for child care center directors. Recent graduates hold positions with Great Start, Migrant Head Start and YWCA; in child development centers, youth programs, alternative education settings, hospitals and faith-based organizations; and as early childhood educators, child life specialists and parent educators.

The child and family development program offers flexibility, allowing you to complete the coursework for your major in person at the main Kalamazoo campus, online, or a hybrid mix of in person and online. This is not a teachable major. If you are seeking a teaching certification as an Early Childhood Specialist with a ZS endorsement, visit the elementary education and early childhood education program pages.

As a child and family development student at WMU, you will study:

  • How families work.
  • The inter-relationship of families and society.
  • Human growth and development across the life span.
  • The physiological and psychological aspects of human sexuality.
  • The impact of resource management on daily life.
  • The importance and value of education for parenting.
  • The effect of policy and legislation on families.
  • Ethical considerations in professional conduct.
  • How to teach and develop curriculum for varied settings.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Career and student employment services supports students by empowering them to develop the skills necessary for reaching their career goals. Through career advising, and learning about career pathways, WMU students get ready for the world of work or service after graduating.

Specific services and programs include:

  • Access to Bronco alumni to help answer career questions.
  • Assistance finding a campus job.
  • Career coaching to learn about career pathways.
  • Creating a professional “brand” using social media and technology.
  • Eight job fairs every year to meet with potential employers.
  • Getting an internship.
  • Perfecting resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters and job applications.
  • Practice interviewing sessions with professional HR recruiters.

Evaluation training at Western Michigan University is offered at the following levels:

Master's prepares graduates for staff positions in evaluation in diverse settings.
Ph.D. prepares graduates for leadership positions in evaluation in many settings.
Career possibilities

  • Assessment specialist
  • Data analyst
  • Evaluation coordinator
  • External evaluator
  • Internal evaluator
  • Measurement consultant
  • Monitoring specialist
  • Policy associate
  • Program officer
  • Project manager
  • Quality assurance manager
  • Research analyst
  • Statistical programmer

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

WMU is committed to assisting in the education goals of our future students. Increasing access to higher education is an institutional focus, and to support this effort, we have established an Assured Admission Program for incoming first-year students. A student's academic performance (including a minimum GPA 3.00+ {on a 4.00 scale}) and conduct/behavior are the main criteria for the program.

Minimum English proficiency test scores (for most programs):

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 71 iBT undergraduate, 80 iBT graduate (WMU Institutional Code: 1902)
  • TOEFL Essential: 7 Undergraduate; 8 Graduate
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.0 undergraduate, 6.5 graduate
  • Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 48 undergraduate, 54 graduate or
  • Duolingo: 100 undergraduate, 115 graduate.
  • International Baccalaureate, grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level.
  • General Certificate of Education: A grade of A, B, or C in English from one of the five British-based examining boards undergraduate, a grade of A or B in English from one of the five British-based examining boards graduate.
  • Successful completion of ESL level 112.
  • Successful completion of either four years of upper secondary school or one year of full-time, tertiary (university-level) education from select countries meets WMU English language proficiency requirements.
  • Successful completion of a WMU Pathway II or the final level in the WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS).
  • Completion of a WMU degree. 
  • Cambridge Advanced English Certificate: A grade of A, B, or C undergraduate, a grade of A or B graduate.
  • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 500 (for most programs).
  • Michigan English Test (MET): 48 undergraduate, 57 graduate (for most programs).
  • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B2 undergraduate, C1 graduate (for most programs).