This emphasis provides career enhancement for students who have prior work experience with individuals and/or families, or who plan to pursue a career in secondary education, or higher education in human development and family sciences and related fields. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in related fields with a research rather than a service focus. Studying child development and early education in the Human Development and Family Studies program will prepare you to serve infants, toddlers and young children, as well as their parents, in home school and community-based settings. You'll be ready for a career or graduate study focused on areas such as early intervention, early childhood education and leadership/advocacy roles. Students in the program complete their practicum experience at the award-winning Child Development and Family Center at NIU. Graduates from the program qualify for various Illinois Gateways credentials.