Childhood Studies Concentration

The Childhood Studies concentration is designed to prepare students to understand childhood from an interdisciplinary perspective. The program provides students with an in-depth understanding of childhood in historical, contemporary, and global contexts and prepares them for careers in a wide variety of areas, including preschool teaching, child welfare and advocacy, child health and wellness, juvenile justice, youth programming, and other human services areas. In addition, the program emphasizes collaboration and community involvement and incorporates study in child policy, parenting, and family development.

Undergraduate training in Childhood Studies also prepares students for graduate study in multiple Mason programs, including Educational Psychology, School Psychology, Special Education, Criminal Justice, Public Health, Social Justice and Human Rights, Social Work, Public Policy, among others. For a full list of Accelerated Master's Programs click here. 

Graduate study in Childhood Studies beyond the Mason campus is also possible.

Childhood Studies is also offered as a university-wide minor and is a perfect supplement to programs of study in:

• Journalism/Mass Communications
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Human Development and Family Science
• Non-Profit Studies
• History
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• English
• Theater
• Digital Media
• Computer Game Design

Opportunities

All students have opportunities to

• conduct independent research
• engage in globally-related activities through coursework and language study at Mason and abroad
• participate in many forms of public service
• prepare for their future careers through internships, career-focused minors and other college-to-career activities