BA/BS in Child Studies

Child Studies (CSTU) is a major at the University of Guelph examining childhood development through psychological, physiological, and social lenses within family contexts. The 20-credit, eight-semester (four-year) curriculum combines lectures and seminars with practicum placements totalling more than 500 hours of hands-on experience working with children. Graduates become eligible to apply for membership with the College of Early Childhood Educators as Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs). The program also prepares students for further study, including a reserved-seat pathway into Nipissing University's Primary-Junior Bachelor of Education program. Related majors at Guelph for students with similar interests include Family Studies and Human Development, Psychology, and Sociology. The program combines academic coursework with applied, practice-based learning aimed at careers and further study in early childhood education, child development, and family-services fields.