Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Development
Develop and Care for the Fabric of Society with a BS in Family Life and Child Development Degree
“God created the family to provide the maximum love and support and morality and example that one can imagine.” These words of the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University, have never been truer than in today’s world.
If you are looking for a degree that can help provide you with the knowledge to impact the next generation through work that seeks to nurture and develop broken homes, then a bachelor’s in child development and family studies is an excellent choice. This degree program can help prepare you for a career in advocating for families and individuals who are in need of guidance and support.
Maybe you have always wanted to work with young children, or perhaps family and child development work is a new, exciting concept to you. Either way, Liberty’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family and Child Development can help equip you with the skills to pursue a career working with children and families. This non-licensure degree program is also an excellent stepping stone to several graduate programs, such as the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling or our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Liberty’s family and child development degree program can help you build an understanding of how families work and how you can help repair or reinforce ties that bind households together. Liberty’s mission is to Train Champions for Christ, so if you pursue a childhood development degree with us, you can receive a Christian education from experienced professors who are grounded in their faith and ready to share their real-life experiences with you.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
Highlights
Highlights of Our BS in Family and Child Development Degree
Internship Opportunity
The internship provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience in your field.
This allows you to apply your classroom knowledge in a professional setting, build your résumé, and make potential industry connections that could lead to future employment.
Clubs on Campus
On-campus clubs allow you to connect with other students and professionals in the field.
These groups can offer opportunities for networking, leadership development, and hands-on projects that can enrich your academic and career journey.
Join Our Special Association
Our Family and Child Development Association (FACDA) seeks to enhance the education and careers of Family and Child Development students by providing opportunities to cultivate professional attitudes and competencies through guest speakers, activities, networking, and service opportunities.
Skill Development
Through the hands-on experience in your internship and the knowledge you can gain in your courses, you can develop valuable skills – such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking – that can be applied in a variety of fields.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with a BS in Family and Child Development?
Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Development help prepare you to pursue the following occupations:
- Adult care program specialist
- Case worker
- Child advocate
- Child life specialist
- Children’s pastor/minister
- Daycare/preschool teacher*
- Group home worker
- Overseas orphanage representative
- Pregnancy center worker
*The BS in Family and Child Development is not designed to meet teacher licensure requirements. For more information on what is required to be a licensed teacher in your state, please contact your state board.
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At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in Our BS in Family and Child Development Degree?
From the moment you begin your studies in our Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Development degree, you can gain an understanding of human development and how to strengthen the family unit from a biblical perspective.
Through the study of early childhood development and other principles, this degree can help you acquire skills and knowledge to positively modify and shape children’s behavior. You can also study unique and prevalent problems facing families today and explore ways to help them overcome these problems. Additionally, the leadership qualities you gain through this degree can assist you in becoming a leader in your field.
Featured BS in Family and Child Development Courses
FACS 204 – Introduction to Family and Child Development
FACS 361 – Therapy and Theory of Play in Early Childhood
FACS 370 – Parenting
FACS 475 – Families Under Stress
Degree Information
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences
- View our Degree Completion Plan
- View our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 75% of the degree
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Development Studies?
Make a Meaningful Impact
If you’re looking for a degree that may support your goal of making a positive change in the world, Liberty University offers opportunities to explore that path. Our BS in Family and Child Development provides a chance to gain knowledge and experience that can be aligned with your personal calling and career interests.
Growth Beyond the Classroom
In addition to developing practical skills in the classroom, you can connect with professionals in your field and network with fellow students through organizations like the Family and Child Development Association. Classroom experiences are designed to be interactive and engaging, combining academic knowledge with real-life applications.
Apply Your Skills in Real Settings
The program also offers the possibility of internships where you can apply your training in real-world settings, giving you valuable experience. These hands-on opportunities allow you to work directly with children, families, and professionals in your field, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Explore Diverse Career Opportunities
Our BS in Family and Child Development is one of the largest majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, and past students have pursued various roles – from family counseling and applied behavior support for special needs children to positions in adult care programs and children’s ministry both in the U.S. and abroad.
Admissions
How Do You Become a BS in Family and Child Development Student?
Every application is reviewed by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis, meaning there are no set minimums for acceptance. However, all applicants must submit the following documents* for admission:
- Admission application
- Official high school transcripts
- Official college transcripts (if applicable)
- Admission essay
Results from the CLT, SAT, or ACT are not required for admission, but may be used in consideration for merit-based aid.
*Note that additional documentation may be requested by the admission committee after your application has been received.
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.