Child Studies (BA)

Enrich a child’s life through activities that engage and inspire them. Through a curriculum that combines theory and fieldwork, you’ll gain a strong foundation for working with children, with a broad knowledge base and the ability to:

• foster the physical, emotional, psychological cognitive and academic development of preschool and school-age children;
• understand children’s roles in families, communities and cultural contexts;
• meet the needs of children and families in preschool, inclusive and community education settings.

Graduate who completed the Early Childhood Concentration would take on challenging and valued positions as daycare teachers or administrators in early childhood settings.  Those who completed the Exceptionality and Diversity Concentration would work as paraprofessionals in schools, community organizations or rehabilitation/hospital settings, where they provide essential support services for children who have diversity issues and special needs. A degree in Child Studies is also a solid foundation for further professional training or graduate studies in occupational therapy, social work, counselling, educational psychology, speech-and-language pathology and teaching.

For Quebec residents who have completed CEGEP studies, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Child Studies is a 90-credit, 3-year program of full-time study. For international and non-Quebec residents, the program is a 120-credit, 4-year program. For all students, the Program Requirement for a Major in Child Studies includes a total of 45 credits. 

Program option

All students completing the BA major in Child Studies must complete 24 compulsory credits (24 credits) of foundation/theoretical knowledge and at least one cluster of specialization courses: (a) Early Childhood Settings (15 credits) and/or (b) Exceptionality and Diversity in Childhood Settings (15 credits). 

In addition, students must also complete 6 credits (2 courses) in Education to broaden their knowledge in the field and to enrich their competencies to work effectively with children; these courses, cross-listed with other programs in the Department, include Comparative Education, Educational Technology, Philosophy of Education, Sociology of Education, Research Methods, etc.

Courses

The BA Child Studies program is based on a child-centered approach and offers courses related to children’s physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive and academic development within the context of family, community and inclusive philosophy. Specialized courses and field placements are offered in two areas: 

• Early Childhood Settings, which conforms to the criteria of Ministère de la Famille for qualified daycare teachers in Quebec; 

• Exceptionality and Diversity in Childhood Settings, which prepares students as paraprofessionals who work with children with diversity issues and special needs. 

In addition, we also support students to develop research and inquiry skills to become reflective professionals, and to prepare them for post-graduate studies in the future. 

Applications from current students

Internal applicants

Students who are already pursuing an undergraduate degree at Concordia and who wish to apply to Child Studies need to complete only the Department of Education application.

If you are a Concordia student but not enrolled in a B.A. Degree (ex.B.Com.,B.F.A.,B.Sc., B.Ed.)

• You must also do a Degree Transfer Application form ($46).

and

• You must also fill the attached Internal Student Application to BA Major in Child Studies form and submit it to the Department of Education with the required documents.

A current transcript of Concordia grades and a Letter of Intent describing: (a) your previous experience related to child development, (b) your professional goals and the reasons for pursuing Child Studies. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 24 credits at the university level and have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Applying as a graduating student

PLEASE NOTE: If you are in your last year at Concordia University and will be graduating at the end of this academic year, you are considered to be an external applicant and must re-apply to the University by completing the General University application form.

For questions about the program please contact Sheri.Bernier@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424 ext. 2029

Graduates are prepared to take on challenging positions as educators and administrators in daycares, hospitals and after-school programs. Others pursue graduate studies to do research in child studies or educational psychology.