儿童发展的重点是探索家庭系统和社会文化环境中儿童的成长和发展（从概念到青春期）。该课程为学生做好准备，使其成为公共，私人和非营利部门中合格的早期护理和教育专业人员，父母教育者，儿童倡导者和早期干预主义者。学生通过在儿童发展和家庭研究中心的实验室经验以及在与学生的职业目标相符的环境中进行实习来参与实际应用。在有执照的老师那里实习的学生有机会获得密西西比州的Pre-Kâk许可证。
The child development concentration explores the growth and development of children (conception until adolescence) within the family system and sociocultural milieu. The coursework prepares students to become competent early care and education professionals, parent educators, child advocates, and early interventionists within the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Students participate in real-world application through lab experiences at the Child Development and Family Studies Center and internships in settings that align with the students’ career goals. Students who intern with a licensed teacher have the opportunity to obtain a Mississippi Pre-K–K license.