The Department of Child Development provides students with a solid grounding in research and theory concerning the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of children. Wherever possible, course material is complemented with observations and work with children in a wide range of applied settings. These settings include schools, hospitals, clinics, day care centers, educational television studios, museums, juvenile courts, and law offices that provide legal services in child advocacy proceedings. These practicum experiences are an essential part of a concentration in child development, where the integration of theory, research, and practice is regarded as a abiding goal.

Undergraduates who major in child development may choose to follow any of several orientations.

One major orientation is toward the field of child development as a behavioral science. Students who choose this orientation generally view their study of child development as a natural forerunner to graduate work in developmental psychology, child clinical psychology, pediatric psychology, law, psychiatric social work, public policy, and other disciplines that have the health, education, and welfare of children as a primary goal.

A second orientation is that of child development as a basic preparation for careers in education. Students who choose this orientation view the study of child development as a necessary prerequisite for all facets of classroom practice from curriculum to evaluation. The Department of Child Development is unique among teacher education programs in its emphasis on the centrality of child development research and theory for all dimensions of teacher education.

A third orientation takes child development as a starting point for a career in human services or work with children in clinical, pediatric, or other community-based settings, including educational practice with children with special needs. A particular emphasis of the department is promoting of positive youth development.

The Department of Child Development offers undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to Massachusetts certification as Early Childhood Teacher (PK-2). This program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education, and the certificate is reciprocated in the majority of states. The department includes the study of special needs children within the general program and within the PK-2 program.

In collaboration with Tufts' Department of Education, undergraduate and graduate students may enroll in a program that leads to certification in Massachusetts as an elementary teacher of grades 1-6.

American Sign Language (ASL)
The department offers three levels of American Sign Language. Undergraduates completing all three can have ASL fulfill one part of the foreign language (foundation) requirement.

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