Child Welfare

Career Information

The number of children whose developmental and/or welfare needs must be provided by persons other than their birth parents/nuclear family, is rapidly increasing and will continue to expand. As family demographics in the U.S. change, the number of children being raised in single parent, two working parents, blended, foster, and/or adoptive families is growing. These diverse types of family structure greatly increase the need for care of children by persons other than the biological parent.

Individuals who have knowledge and understanding of children and their unique needs are in high demand both in public and private child welfare agencies and programs. If you are currently working in or interested in gaining employment with one of the many programs serving children that receive federal funding, you are/will be required to have at least some professional training in children’s development and their well-being.

In addition to professional preparation, Marygrove’s child welfare program will provide you with skills to better understand the developmental needs of your own children, and it will help you to prepare for additional roles, such as those of a grandparent or relative caregiver.

If your major is child development, early childhood education, special education, social work, sociology, or psychology, you can enhance and combine your career preparation with a certificate in child welfare.

Certificate in Child Welfare
The total credit hour requirement for the certificate is 17 hours, including:

A. Required Courses
PSY 205  Introductory to Psychology 4 hours

CD/SW 268 Child Welfare Policies and Services 2 hours

BIO 141 Nutrition through the Life Cycle 3 hours

SW 200A Special Topics: Substance Abuse 2 hours

SW 200B Special Topics: Working with Children and Families 2 hours

SW 299*  Pre-professional Practicum3-4 hours

*To be arranged with approval of the director of the child welfare certificate program.

B. Elective Courses
CD 213  Infant/Toddler: Care/Education 3 hours

CD 223 Young Child Guidance 3 hours

CD 226 Administration of Developmental Centers 3 hours

PSY 240 Developmental Psychology 3 hours

SED 250 Education of the Exceptional Learner 3 hours

SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity 3 hours

SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies 3 hours

SOC 311 Deviant Behavior 3 hours

SOC 345 Sociology of the Family 3 hours

SW 200C Special Topics: Working with Mental Illness 2 hours