The Family and Child Studies program focuses on understanding the complex influences, relationships, and ecologies of development across the lifespan. The program prepares students to promote the optimal well-being of families and individuals, recognizing that characteristics and needs of families change across the lifespan and within multiple and diverse contexts. The concentration in Human Development and Family Relations offers an option to become a nationally-certified family life educator.<br><br>Families provide children’s first learning environments, which impact children’s education and learning throughout their lives. The preparation of professionals in education is grounded in the deep understanding of families and children. For those interested in Early Childhood Education, the program offers two concentrations: Early Childhood Education and Development and Early Childhood Multicultural Education Licensure Pre-K to Grade 3 in New Mexico.