Child & Family Studies

Because you care about the lives of others

About Child & Family Studies at Keuka College

It takes a special person to answer the call of those in need, and our child and family studies major prepares you for career opportunities in social services, day care, family education, and various areas of public policy that address the needs of children and/or families.

You’ll gain the ability to ask the critical questions about ethics and issues related to the family and other social institutions in order to best serve those in your care. This major will prepare you with the skills and qualifications for graduate study or careers as family therapists, mental health professionals, school counselors, and similar positions that require advanced training.

Child & Family Studies Program Highlights

Diverse Courses of Study

Our program is a dynamic mix of classes from multiple disciplines. Combined with a liberal arts education, it creates a diverse course of study that enables you to focus on a multitude of different career and graduate school options.

Field Period™

Field Period™ gives you hands-on experiences that will refine your abilities and personal goals, while giving you the opportunity to develop a range of personal and professional contacts.

Student and Faculty Engagement

When you major in child and family studies, you can expect personal attention from faculty who care about your success, not only academically, but outside of the classroom as well.

Explore Child & Family Studies

Program Overview

Through the exploration of child development, the sociology of parents and families, and influential social and cultural practices, the child and family studies program is a true interdisciplinary major. The program strengthens your understanding of family functioning and dynamics, and gives you the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues relating to the family and other social institutions, giving you the necessary skills to become a human service professional.

Child and family studies will prepare you for career opportunities in social services, day care, family education, and various areas of public policy that address the needs of children and/or families. You will acquire the skills to serve as a case manager, working with children who have disabilities.

In addition, if you’re thinking about furthering your education after Keuka College, the child and family studies major prepares you for graduate school, which further provides the skills and qualifications necessary to become family therapists, mental health professionals, school counselors, and similar positions that require advanced training.

Program Requirements

Child & Family Studies (B.A.)

The Faculty

The child and family studies faculty at Keuka College are seasoned professionals and innovative educators committed to student success. They serve as role models, leaders, practitioners, and advocates who are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.

Faculty in the Division of Basic and Applied Social Sciences

Dr. Carolyn Balzer

Assistant Professor Psychology

Dr. Janine Bower

Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice

Dr. Frank Colaprete

Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice

Dr. Stephen Hallam

Professor of Psychology

Dr. Nicholas Koberstein

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Dr. Christopher Leahy

Professor of History

Dr. David Pak Leon

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Dr. Jessica MacNamara

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Dr. Richard Martin

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Leadership

Dr. Angela Narasimhan

Associate Professor of Political Science

Dr. Thomas Tremer

Division Chair of Basic & Applied Social Sciences

Digital Learning

As a student in child and family studies, you will create an ePortfolio using Google Sites to assist with your post-graduation plans. An electronic and easily-updated showcase of your achievements and work samples is sure to impress any prospective employer or graduate school.

Extracurriculars

Pi Gamma Mu

Pi Gamma Mu is the International Honor Society in Social Science. Each year, Social Sciences faculty members nominate junior and senior students for membership in recognition of their scholastic success in social science courses and overall.

Award Opportunities

The Child and Family Studies award is an annual award given to an upperclass Child and Family Studies major who exhibits not only high academic achievement, but also embodies the core values of Keuka College: experiential learning and personal development.

Careers & Salaries

What can you do with this degree?

Thinking about your future career? Here are some sample job titles that people with similar degrees have at organizations around the country.

• Child Psychologist

• Clinical Psychologist

• Eating Disorder Psychologist

• Educational Psychologist

• Geropsychologist

• Pediatric Psychologist

• School Psychologist

• Vocational Psychologist

• Engineering Psychologist

• Human Resources Psychologist

• I/O Psychologist

• Industrial Psychologist

• Management Psychologist

• Organizational Psychologist

• Organizational Research Consultant

• Personnel Research Psychologist

• Developmental Psychologist

• Experimental Psychologist

• Forensic Psychologist

• Neuropsychologist

• Psychotherapist

• Rehabilitation Psychologist

• Social Psychologist

• Sports Psychologist

Demand & Salary Data

Career Group	Career Summary	Median Annual Wage in 2015	Predicted Openings Between 2014 and 2024	Change in Demand for These Jobs, 2024 vs. 2014	Education Typically Needed
Psychologists, All Other	All psychologists not listed separately.	$94,590	5,200	1,600	Master's degree
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	Apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Activities may include policy planning; employee testing and selection, training and development; and organizational development and analysis. May work with management to organize the work setting to improve worker productivity.	$77,350	800	400	Master's degree
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists	Diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems, using individual, child, family, and group therapies. May design and implement behavior modification programs.	$70,580	63,800	30,500	Doctoral or professional degree