Family Science and Human Development

The Family and Human Services concentration equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to strengthen the health and well-being of families and people across the lifespan. You’ll study various cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts that shape individual and family life, while applying research and theory to real-world challenges. Through early field experiences and a senior internship in a community agency or human services organization, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience that employers value.

Career paths include counseling, youth programming, healthy aging advocates,  family and social services, healthcare, social work, community-based organizations and public policy. You’ll also qualify for  the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential—recognized nationally as the gold standard in the field—without taking the exam. This concentration is ideal if you want to make a direct impact on families and communities.

See the curriculum.

The Child and Lifespan Development concentration prepares you for teacher certification at the P-3 or K-6 level through Montclair’s Teacher Education Program. You’ll explore how children and families grow and thrive within diverse cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts, while learning strategies and interventions that you will apply in educational or early childhood settings. This field is also excellent for those pursuing non-teaching careers looking to make a difference with individuals, families, or within organizations. With a strong focus on both academic excellence and social responsibility, this track empowers you to guide the next generation of learners while strengthening school-family-community partnerships.

Child and Lifespan Development is the only concentration at Montclair State University that enables you to obtain P-3 certification and qualify for the Family and Consumer Sciences: Child and Family Development certification, which enables you to teach family relations and human development to provide career-related instruction in all NJ public schools, K-12, including approved career and technical education programs in grades 9-12.

See the curriculum.

The Family Science and Human Development minor complements any major by adding interdisciplinary knowledge of both theoretical foundations and practical applications for working with people in any setting. As a student in this minor, you have the opportunity to learn and develop your soft skills, such as navigating conflict, managing anxiety and stress, communicating effectively,  and working in group settings. Understanding these skills helps students thrive in their communities, families and workplace.

This 18-credit minor provides an expansive view of the field of family science, including a focus on human development through different life stages, and family development across the life course. The selection of electives is intentionally flexible so you can enroll in courses related to your interests and career goals.

See the curriculum.

By partnering with the Teacher Education Program, the Child and Lifespan Development concentration prepares you to teach children from Preschool through Grade 3. You’ll explore how children and families grow and thrive within diverse cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts, while learning strategies and interventions that you will apply in educational or early childhood settings. This field is also excellent for those pursuing non-teaching careers looking to make a difference with individuals, families, or within organizations. With a strong focus on both academic excellence and social responsibility, this track empowers you to guide the next generation of learners while strengthening school-family-community partnerships.

Child and Lifespan Development is the only concentration at Montclair State University that enables you to obtain P-3 certification and qualify for the Family and Consumer Sciences: Child and Family Development certification, which enables you to teach family relations and human development to provide career-related instruction in all NJ public schools, K-12, including approved career and technical education programs in grades 9-12.

By partnering with the Teacher Education Program, the Child and Lifespan Development concentration prepares you to teach children from Kindergarten through Grade 6. You’ll explore how children and families grow and thrive within diverse cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts, while learning strategies and interventions that you will apply in educational or early childhood settings. This field is also excellent for those pursuing non-teaching careers looking to make a difference with individuals, families, or within organizations. With a strong focus on both academic excellence and social responsibility, this track empowers you to guide the next generation of learners while strengthening school-family-community partnerships.

If you’re passionate about helping children thrive and want to make a difference as an educator, Montclair State University’s Combined B.A./M.A.T. program in Family Science & Human Development with a concentration in Child and Lifespan Development is the perfect pathway. This 5-year program allows you to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master of Arts in Teaching and allows you to choose between elementary certification in Kindergarten through Grade 6 or Preschool through Grade 3.

Unlike the undergraduate teaching options, the MAT program also includes a secondary certification for Teachers of Students with Disabilities.

Through this program, you’ll study child and lifespan development while also completing education coursework and classroom experiences. As a senior, you’ll take graduate-level “swing courses” that count toward both degrees, saving time and preparing you for a seamless transition into your master’s year. By graduation, you’ll be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and certification to become a compassionate, effective educator who supports the success of all learners.

Child and Lifespan Development is the only concentration at Montclair State University that enables you to obtain P-3 certification and qualify for the Family and Consumer Sciences: Child and Family Development certification which enables you to teach family relations and human development to provide career-related instruction in all NJ public schools, K-12, including approved career and technical education programs in grades 9-12.