About the Child Development Program
The Child Development program at Tougaloo College equips students with the knowledge and skills to support the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth of young children. Rooted in developmental theory and evidence-based practices, the program prepares future professionals to work in diverse educational and care settings.
Through a multidisciplinary curriculum and real-world practicum experiences, students explore the many dimensions of early childhood development, advocacy, and family engagement. Graduates are empowered to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and their communities.
Whole Child Approach
Gain a deep understanding of early childhood milestones and how to nurture each child’s unique development.
Hands-On Experience
Engage in community-based learning through fieldwork and practicum placements in real childcare settings.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Study child development through the lenses of psychology, health, education, and sociology for a well-rounded foundation.
Career Opportunities in Child Development
Whether you want to become a teacher, family advocate, or program administrator, a degree in Child Development opens doors to rewarding careers focused on shaping the early lives of children and supporting families in meaningful ways.
Early Childhood Settings
- Preschool Teacher
- Early Intervention Specialist
- Infant/Toddler Program Director
- Daycare Provider
- Head Start Educator
Family & Community Services
- Family Support Specialist
- Parent Educator
- Child Life Specialist
- Home Visiting Coordinator
Graduate Study & Leadership
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Child Development
- Program Administrator
- Policy Advocate
- Educational Consultant
Degree Requirements
The Child Development program at Tougaloo College offers a robust academic foundation designed to prepare students for impactful careers in early childhood education, family services, and community development. Our degree pathways—Associate of Arts (A.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and Master of Arts (M.A.)—blend theory, research, and hands-on learning to equip students with the skills needed to support children’s growth from birth through age eight.
Each program level is tailored to meet professional goals and state licensure standards, with opportunities for practicum experiences, capstone projects, and elective coursework. Explore the tabs below to learn more about specific course requirements for each degree.
Child Development, A.A.
The School of Education, Supervision, and Instruction at Tougaloo College offers a variety of undergraduate degree and certificate programs leading to P-6 and 7-12 initial teacher licensure and certification in elementary, secondary, and special education, as well as other fields such as child development and health, physical education, and recreation. The School of Education degree and certificate programs are approved by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Required Courses
This course introduces students to child and family studies. Students will obtain a body of knowledge to enhance student awareness of the current information base of family and child development and review the various areas of study represented within the field.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course will focus on the relationship of parenting and children, including the transition to parenting, parenting styles, and cultural diversity. Students will gain an understanding of the need for parent education based on theory to promote optimal development. This course will also examine the transition from home to school.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to observe and record a variety of settings appropriate to the education role for which they are planning.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100
This course is designed to examine appropriate teaching methods and materials for educational settings that serve children from age 3 to age 8. Attention is given to strategies for planning; organizing the learning environment; conducting lessons; guiding children’s behavior, supporting play; and addressing standards through integrated and emergent curriculum. This course requires 10 hours of field-based experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100 and ECD 105
This course is designed to enable students to plan and develop a safe and healthy learning environment by acquiring skills and knowledge needed to prevent and reduce injuries; to handle emergencies, accidents, and injuries; to promote good health and nutrition and prevent illness; and to construct an interesting, secure, and enjoyable environment. The course is also designed to enable students to analyze and plan motor development experiences for young children. A practicum component is included.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course examines the needs of the young child within the context of the family and community. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills developed throughout their program matriculation, which involved field work in selected educational settings, through which students become more knowledgeable in the areas of establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; advancing children’s physical and intellectual competence; supporting children’s social and emotional development and providing positive guidance; establishing positive and productive relationships with families; ensuring a well-run, purposeful program responsive to children’s needs; and maintaining a commitment to professionalism.
CREDIT: 6 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100, ECD 105, ECD 204 and ECD 210
This course is designed to acquaint the student with exceptionalities. Emphasis will be placed on the educational programs, problems and needs, laws, and the skills for assessment, observation, and recording the behavior of the special student. Practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Required Elective Courses
Select three hours (one course).
This seminar is designed to address social emotional development in young children. Emphasis will be positioned on viable comprehensive methodology and strategies useful for managing young children’s social emotional development in educational settings. Students are expected to cultivate a practical understanding of the application of social emotional development with diverse populations. In addition, the students are expected to formulate, design, conduct, write, and present a social-emotional development project. A practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100 and ECD 105
This course is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of teaching infants and toddlers using developmentally appropriate practice. Specific age-appropriate developmental characteristics and milestones across all domains (social, emotional, physical, and cognitive) are discussed and connected to practical application in the field. Current infant and toddler educational and scientific research are presented as well.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Junior status or completion of lower level course work
This course is designed to develop education majors’ understanding of classroom contexts in the process of becoming a professional educator. Students will discover how coursework is connected to national and state standards and student learning outcomes. Professional development topics will include field observation skills, first-year teaching experiences, law and public policies, professional organizations, teaching career websites, and preparing a teaching portfolio.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This seminar is designed to address issues and trends in behavior management. The seminar includes a wide range of theoretical approaches and correlating applications relevant for the field of behavior management. Emphasis will be positioned on viable comprehensive methodology and strategies useful for managing student behavior in educational settings. Students are expected to cultivate a practical understanding of the application of behavior management with diverse populations. In addition, the students are expected to formulate, design, conduct, write, and present a behavior management project. A practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDE 101
CHild Development, B.A.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Specific expected learning outcomes for the Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees are measured and monitored by Tougaloo College, the School of Education, and by the Teacher Education Advisory Council (TEAC), whose members are representatives from public schools and community educational partners. The Child Development degrees are essentially structured to meet the Mississippi Board of Education, Mississippi Department of Education, and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards. Table 1, Standards Utilized for Expected Student Learning Outcomes, serves as the expected student learning outcomes that are used to continuously assess, document, and improve the curriculum and overall program. The standard below in Table 1 serve as the primary learning outcomes of the degree programs:
Specific Requirements
Students pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development must have a 2.0 GPA or above in all major coursework, a successful score for their Child Development Program Manual that includes planning, implementing, administering a child development program; and successfully completing 6-9 units (30-45 days) of clinically field-based experiences in a daycare, nursery, or K-3 setting. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, in addition to the above, must successfully complete a senior thesis (or major written project) for approval by the advisor and department chair that represents a comprehensive intellectual body of work.
Required Courses for Child Development Major
Field experience and practicum courses are noted with an asterisk (*).
This practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to observe and record a variety of settings appropriate to the educational role for which they are preparing.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100
This course examines teaching methods and materials for children ages 3 to 8. Topics include lesson planning, classroom management, behavior guidance, and integrated curriculum. Includes 10 hours of field experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100 and ECD 105
This course introduces students to exceptionalities in education. Topics include legal foundations, individualized education programs (IEPs), instructional strategies, and collaboration.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course prepares students to plan and maintain safe and healthy learning environments for young children, addressing injury prevention, health promotion, and motor development. Includes practicum.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course examines the interrelationships between children, families, and communities. Students explore partnerships and evidence-based practices that support child development.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Introduces the foundations of teaching as a profession, including ethics, standards, field observation, and portfolio development.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Covers research writing and analysis in education. Students review academic journals and write a formal research paper using APA format.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 and ENG 102
Focuses on behavior management techniques and strategies for diverse classroom settings. Includes the development and presentation of a behavior management project. Practicum required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDE 101
Explores developmentally appropriate practices for teaching infants and toddlers, with a focus on developmental milestones and practical application. Includes field experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Junior status or completion of lower-level coursework
Emphasizes integration of music, art, and language arts in preschool settings. Includes strategies for planning curriculum and addressing diverse learning needs. Practicum required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 210 and ECD 220
Provides tools for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. Focuses on technology integration, tiered lessons, and cultural responsiveness.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This practicum allows students to apply developmental knowledge through guided field experiences. Emphasizes professionalism, family engagement, and curriculum implementation.
CREDIT: 6 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100, ECD 105, ECD 204, and ECD 210
Prepares students to manage early childhood programs, including staffing, finance, state regulations, and program planning. Includes creation of a manual and assessment tool.
CREDIT: 6 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Senior status or departmental approval
Explores research methodology in early childhood education with a focus on diverse learners and inclusive practices.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Senior status or departmental approval
Introduces early literacy development including oral language, phonemic awareness, and foundational reading strategies. Practicum required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Expands on literacy instruction with a focus on vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Includes advanced assessment techniques and practicum.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDR 300
Examines psychological and developmental processes across the lifespan, including cognition, social behavior, and language. Observation required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course develops the ability to read simple musical scores using classroom instruments. Students will learn to plan and conduct singing, rhythm, listening, and other music-based learning experiences for elementary-aged children.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior standing as an Elementary Education major
This intensive nine-week field experience engages students in observation, participation, and teaching within early childhood settings such as preschool and kindergarten. Emphasis is placed on program planning, assessment, and applying learned theories in real-world classroom environments. Designed to strengthen connections between coursework and practical application in diverse early learning communities.
CREDIT: 9 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Senior status
Electives
This course introduces students to child and family studies. Students will obtain a body of knowledge to enhance awareness of the current information base of family and child development and explore the various areas of study represented within the field.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course focuses on the relationship between parents and children, including parenting transitions, styles, and cultural diversity. Emphasis is placed on parent education rooted in theory to promote optimal child development. The course also explores the transition from home to school.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course introduces students to the philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations of education. It explores the structure of the educational system and the teacher’s role in a democratic society.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This seminar addresses social emotional development in young children with a focus on strategies for supporting diverse populations. Students design, conduct, and present a social-emotional development project. A practicum is required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): ECD 100 and ECD 105
This course examines methods and materials for teaching language skills across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of language, intellectual, and social development. Practicum required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDU 312
This course addresses social studies goals and curriculum for K–8, focusing on multicultural awareness, values education, and effective methodology. Includes technology integration and practicum experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDU 313
Focuses on math curriculum and instruction for grades K–8, including diagnostics, individualized instruction, test development, and teaching students with special needs. Practicum required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): Nine hours of Math
Investigates cognitive, physical, and affective development in children from birth to age 8. Topics include perception, language, reasoning, and social behavior. Observation required.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Child Development, M.A.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Child Development (Birth to Age 8) is designed to provide graduates and professionals with the necessary theoretical foundations to prepare students in modern practices for careers in early childhood development. The academic requirements of the M.A. in Child Development degree will consist mostly of coursework and a capstone project that is interdisciplinary in nature, but whose core is still child development with early childhood development theory and research framing the main areas of study.
Students must complete a minimum of 10 courses and a capstone project, which must include an original analysis of a data set and/or a proposed problem. Courses must be chosen at graduate level (numbered 500 or higher) from the Division of Education. All courses must be passed with a grade of B or better and students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better.
The M.A. in Child Development degree program requires students to complete the required credits at Tougaloo College and to complete 30 semester hours for the degree at the College, during the course of the two-year program. No more than six graduate hours taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree can be transferred from another institution towards the program requirements.
Core Curriculum & Capstone Project Research Courses
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum consists of courses, fieldwork, and capstone project research coursework. Core courses include:
This course examines current theories and philosophical frameworks of behavior and development in young children, including children with exceptional needs. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices that inform interdisciplinary teaching and learning, along with exploration of ethical issues and multiple developmental theories that influence instruction and support in early childhood settings.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course explores developmental characteristics of young children alongside effective planning, teaching, and management in early childhood programs. Topics include curriculum design, differentiated instruction, classroom environment, and child-centered teaching practices. Includes 25 hours of required field experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course introduces foundational concepts and methods in educational research, including both qualitative and quantitative design. Students will define a research problem, develop a proposal with literature review and methods, and present a capstone project proposal publicly at the end of the semester.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course supports capstone project development with advanced research and statistical methods. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, data visualization, scaling, sampling distributions, and analysis techniques such as t-tests, chi-square, and ANOVA. Students will analyze original datasets in preparation for their final project.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDU 504 or concurrent consent of instructor and advisor
Capstone Project Research Courses
The capstone project research courses include:
This independent study course allows students to demonstrate professional growth and scholarship through a completed capstone research project. Students work one-on-one with a faculty chair to investigate a topic related to early childhood learning, curriculum, or educational policy. A formal presentation of the research is required at the end of the semester.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDU 504 and EDU 585, or concurrent consent of instructor and advisor (EDU 585 only)
This course is for students who did not complete their capstone project in ECD 587. Students continue working under faculty guidance and present their research publicly at the end of the semester.
CREDIT: 1 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Prerequisite(s): EDU 504, EDU 585, and ECD 587
This final continuation course supports students who need additional time to complete their capstone research project following ECD 588. A public presentation of the final project is required.
CREDIT: 1 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Additional Information
By the end of ECD 587, students should have all of the necessary components of a completed capstone project. If a student fails to complete their capstone project in ECD 587, they will have up to two additional semesters for completion. They will also have to enroll in the courses ECD 588 - Capstone Project Research II and ECD 589 - Capstone Project Research III. ECD 588 and ECD 589 are only one academic credit hour and can only be taken one at a time.
Specialty Courses
Students must enroll in four (4) specialty courses from the following list of 500-level courses. Not all courses will be offered every semester.
This course examines how historical, social, and cultural factors influence child development from prenatal stages through age eight. Students explore the impact of diversity, structural inequalities, and cultural identity through readings and case studies. Emphasis is placed on race, gender, class, and sexuality as factors shaping development in educational contexts.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course explores how families and communities influence the development of children from birth to age eight. Topics include family engagement, community collaboration, child health and environmental factors, child abuse, and advocacy. Strategies for supporting families of exceptional children are also addressed.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course focuses on leadership and management in early childhood settings. Topics include staff recruitment, budgeting, marketing, family engagement, and professional development. Designed for aspiring administrators, this course includes 25 hours of field experience.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
This course explores instructional methods for reading, writing, and language arts in elementary education. It includes research-based strategies for emergent literacy, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness. Students will align practices with Common Core Standards and complete a field-based experience with a Portfolio Work Sample 3.
CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOUR(S)
Shape the Future of Early Childhood Education
Join the Child Development program at Tougaloo College to become a compassionate leader, advocate, and educator for young children and their families.