Child Development

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in child development is designed for the student who wants to work with children outside of a classroom setting.

Child development offers a holistic approach to child studies — focusing on the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of a child.

At Olivet, students will plan and design activities for young children, including small-group and one-on-one activities that are age-appropriate and fun. Students will learn ways to keep children healthy with good eating habits, personal hygiene and times for rest. They will also learn how to identify emotional or developmental problems. 


Program Credentials

Child Development majors will work closely with young children in many settings, including schools, businesses, private households, day care centers, camps, hospitals or adoption agencies.

Child Development and Early Childhood programs are both "Gateways to Opportunity ECE Entitled, Levels 2-5." For more information about the credentials, please click here


Scholarship Opportunity

Olivet is offering an Early Childhood Workforce Online Program which is built for professionals working in settings with children ages birth through 2nd grade to obtain a bachelor's degree in an Early Childhood field. Students may receive a fully funded scholarship as part of the State of Illinois' Early Childhood Consortium for Equity. 

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Child Development Students:

  • Learn CPR and first aid.
  • Earn Food and Safety sanitation license.
  • Study courses including: child, family and community relations; parenting; sociology of the family; language development; and teaching diverse populations.
  • Complete an internship or field placement assignment before graduation in settings such as approved child care or day care facilities, children's museums, community centers, camps or hospitals.
  • Prepare to manage a day care center.

 

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Internships

Olivet students have worked for a variety of local and national companies, including Kankakee Children’s Museum, Easter Seals, Crossroads Childcare Center, Play Palz 101, Inc., Aunt Martha’s and Riverside Medical Center. Internships are introductory-level positions, often paid and have resulted in full-time job offers.

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Possible Careers After Graduation

  • Child life specialist
  • Child care worker
  • Case worker
  • Developmental therapist
  • Day care center director

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