Want to make a difference in the lives of children and families? Start with the program that helped define the field of Children’s Studies.<\/p>\n
As the first Children\u2019s Studies major in the nation, Eastern Washington University brings decades of expertise, innovation, and professional connections to your education.<\/p>\n
Our fully online, flexible program<\/strong> prepares you for meaningful careers in child life, education, social work, healthcare, and community-based services. You\u2019ll explore the developmental, learning, and social experiences of children from birth through adolescence, drawing insights from fields such as psychology, education, geography, and social work.<\/p>\n Guided by dedicated faculty mentors, you\u2019ll connect what you learn in the classroom to real-world practice. As a result, you’ll graduate ready to support children, strengthen families, and create positive change in the communities you serve.<\/p>\n Children’s Studies BA<\/a> Child Life MA<\/a> Children’s Studies Minor<\/a><\/p>\n","background":{"ID":88177,"id":88177,"title":"Children's Studies Shoot-73","filename":"Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943.jpg","filesize":228262,"url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/social-work\/childrens-studies-s\/childrens-studies-shoot-73\/","alt":"An EWU Children's Studies alumna reads a book to children at a local preschool","author":"1542","description":"","caption":"","name":"childrens-studies-shoot-73","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":88109,"date":"2026-03-11 23:58:21","modified":"2026-03-12 00:00:34","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1152,"height":726,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-300x189.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":189,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-768x484.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":484,"large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-1024x645.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":645,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943.jpg","1536x1536-width":1152,"1536x1536-height":726,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943.jpg","2048x2048-width":1152,"2048x2048-height":726,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-300x300.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":300,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-400x400.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":400,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-73-e1773273672943-600x600.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":600}},"title":" ","bold_title":"Children's Studies","content":"","secondary_nav_menu_type":"menu","blocks":[{"acf_fc_layout":"copy-with-image","layout":"small-image","show_left":false,"module_background_color":"off-white","title":"Start Your Child Life Career Here","copy":" Interested in becoming a Child Life Specialist? EWU\u2019s Children\u2019s Studies program includes all 10 courses required by the Association of Child Life Professionals<\/strong> (ACLP) for certification.<\/p>\n This built-in pathway saves time, lowers costs, and prepares you to sit for the Child Life Certification Exam. It also positions you for admission into EWU\u2019s Master of Arts in Child Life<\/a> program.<\/p>\n","image":{"ID":88137,"id":88137,"title":"Children's Studies Shoot-48","filename":"Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","filesize":604771,"url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/childrensstudiesdegrees\/childrens-studies-shoot-48\/","alt":"An EWU Children's Studies alumna reads a book to a child at a local preschool","author":"1542","description":"","caption":"","name":"childrens-studies-shoot-48","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":88091,"date":"2026-03-04 22:28:18","modified":"2026-03-04 22:30:13","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1200,"height":800,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":800,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":800,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":200,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":267,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/cpp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/03\/Childrens-Studies-Shoot-48.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":400}},"youtube_video_id":"","video_orientation":"horizontal","image_alt":"An EWU Children's Studies alumna reads a book to a child at a local preschool","secondary_image":"Geo-texture-Red.svg","background_vertical_alignment":"center","background_horizontal_alignment":"center","background_crop":"chevron","component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"destination-eastern","module_background_color":"white","title":"Why Study at the Region's Polytechnic?","subtitle":"Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.","features":[{"icon":"computer","image":false,"feature_title":"Flexible Online Classes","feature_content":"Earn your degree on your schedule with 100% online coursework designed for working professionals and busy students.","link":""},{"icon":"human-services","image":false,"feature_title":"Applied Learning","feature_content":"Get real-world experience and hone your skills through community projects, internships, and practicums.","link":""},{"icon":"piggy-bank","image":false,"feature_title":"Affordable Education","feature_content":"Benefit from the lowest tuition rates in Washington and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.","link":""},{"icon":"community","image":false,"feature_title":"Community & Belonging ","feature_content":"Build strong connections and an extensive professional network in our cohort-based program.","link":""},{"icon":"apple","image":false,"feature_title":"Supportive Faculty","feature_content":"Learn from passionate professionals who mentor you and bring years of on-the-job insight into every class.","link":""}],"show_details":true,"details_title":"What Our Graduates Say","copy":" “I loved how personal and hands-on the Children\u2019s Studies program was. I built real relationships with my professors, and the mentorship was unmatched. They were always looking for opportunities for me\u2014<\/span>connecting me with different internship and practicum opportunities\u2014<\/span>and still offer professional advice today. I feel so grateful for the support I received and feel that I would not have been as successful if I did not come to Eastern.” \u2014 Karly Monteith ’23<\/span><\/p>\n","second_column_type":"copy","copy_2":" “During my time in the Children\u2019s Studies program, I authored a creative research project thesis and engaged in two child life practicums. I was offered and accepted a child life specialist role upon graduation, where I continue to serve children and their families in a hospital setting. Thanks to the unconditional support I received, I was able to succeed in my academics and fulfill my dream of becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist.” \u2014 Blanca Hernandez ’24, MA, CCLS<\/p>\n","quote":"The program now offers a bachelor of arts, ranking Eastern among the first academic institutions offering an interdisciplinary Children's Studies Program.","component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"destination-eastern","module_background_color":"off-white","title":"Careers in Children's Studies","subtitle":"Graduates can pursue a wide variety of occupations:","features":[{"icon":"social-services","image":false,"feature_title":"Adoption Counselor","feature_content":"","link":""},{"icon":"school","image":false,"feature_title":"After-School Program Director","feature_content":"","link":""},{"icon":"hr-director","image":false,"feature_title":"Child & Family Support Specialist","feature_content":"","link":""},{"icon":"hand-heart","image":false,"feature_title":"Child Life Specialist","feature_content":"","link":""},{"icon":"briefcase","image":false,"feature_title":"Juvenile Justice Worker","feature_content":"","link":""}],"show_details":false,"details_title":"","copy":"","second_column_type":"quote","copy_2":"","quote":"","component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","module_background_color":"white","copy":" Want a more in-depth explanation about our program and career paths related to Children’s Studies? Check out our Q&A videos below:<\/p>\n Children\u2019s Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines children and childhood from various perspectives, including psychology, health, education, and community contexts. This field views childhood as a significant stage of life in its own right and examines how social structures influence children\u2019s experiences. It emphasizes the importance of understanding childhood in the present while also exploring how children grow and develop over time.<\/p>\n The Children\u2019s Studies program at EWU adopts a holistic approach to understanding childhood, focusing on ways to support and enhance children\u2019s lives. Students will learn to:<\/p>\n The Children\u2019s Studies program at EWU combines strong theoretical foundations with hands-on learning experiences to prepare students to work with children in a wide range of settings. The program also includes all 10 courses required by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)<\/strong>, allowing you to complete your prerequisites as part of your degree. This streamlined pathway prepares you for certification and positions you for admission into our one-year Master of Arts in Child Life program<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n All program options can be completed fully online<\/strong>, making the BA and MA degrees flexible and accessible for working professionals and transfer students.<\/p>\n Courses draw from multiple disciplines to help you understand children\u2019s development, learning, and social experiences from different perspectives. This holistic approach helps you build a versatile \u201ctoolbox\u201d of skills you can apply in schools, community programs, healthcare settings, and research environments.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"What can you do with a Children's Studies degree? ","copy":" A degree in Children\u2019s Studies prepares graduates for careers supporting children, youth, and families across various fields, including education, social services, health, research, and community programs. Career paths may include:<\/p>\n Many graduates also pursue <\/span>graduate study in education, social work, counseling, child development or public policy.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"label":"What will I study in the Children\u2019s Studies curriculum?","copy":" The Children\u2019s Studies curriculum offers a comprehensive foundation in child development and learning, spanning from birth through adolescence. Students explore how children grow and develop within families, communities, and broader social systems. The program integrates theory and practice from psychology, education, and related disciplines, giving students a well-rounded understanding of children\u2019s experiences and needs.<\/p>\n Core courses required by all students focus on:<\/p>\n Students then choose a pathway\u2014social services or certification\u2014with specialized courses designed to prepare them for their professional goals.<\/p>\n"},{"label":"What are the admission requirements?","copy":" To enroll at EWU, students must complete a high school diploma or equivalent. Students planning to major in Children\u2019s Studies are also required to take two years of a single foreign language in high school, or one year of a college-level foreign language.<\/p>\n"}],"component_options_toggle":true,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"faq","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"eastern-stories","module_background_color":"white","title":"Eastern Stories","starting_display_type":"category","tag":"featured","category":"childrens-studies","multisite_tag":"featured","multisite_curated_stories":false,"include_cat":false,"include_cta":false,"button_text":"More Eastern Stories","button_link":"","component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"calls-to-action","module_background_tri_color":"red","include_header":false,"title":"","subtitle":"","buttons":[{"link":{"title":"Request Info","url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/information-request","target":""},"icon":"clipboard"},{"link":{"title":"Apply","url":"https:\/\/www.ewu.edu\/apply","target":""},"icon":"eagle"}],"component_options_toggle":false,"component_options":{"disable_component":false,"nickname":"","identifier":"","navigable":false}},{"acf_fc_layout":"section-footer","contact":" Children\u2019s Studies<\/strong><\/p>\n E:\u00a0<\/strong>childrenstudies@ewu.edu<\/a>Program-Related Videos<\/h2>\n
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\nP:\u00a0<\/strong>509.359.6085<\/a><\/p>\n","icons":[{"icon":"instagram","link":{"title":"","url":"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ewu_cdst\/","target":""}},{"icon":"facebook","link":{"title":"","url":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EWUChildLife","target":""}}],"message":"