With a psychology child and family major at Grace College, you’ll be prepared to work in children’s mental health in a hospital setting.
Our psychology program finds its foundation in God’s Word, especially in our belief that all humans are made in the image of God. We are charged to serve the vulnerable and comfort the grieving, and one way we do this is by walking with children and families in pain or grief.
As a child psychology major, you can expect interactive, group-based classes, in which you’ll discuss assigned readings and collaborate to find practical approaches to real-life scenarios. You’ll explore what past research and case studies have concluded, what your professors have seen as experienced practitioners, and which techniques experts use today.
As a child and family major, you’ll take both behavioral science core and major-specific courses. Your core classes will introduce you to the foundations of counseling, criminal justice, and behavioral science research.
The Bethany Nesbitt Child and Family major is a non-endorsed program that will equip you to work in a hospital setting with children facing disabilities or serious illnesses and their families. You’ll take courses in topics such as anatomy and medical terminology, child development, family systems, and grief and loss.
The psychology major culminates in a practicum or internship. We’ll work with you to find a setting that best matches your career goals. Because of the great demand for psychology work nationwide, you have several options. Students have interned at inpatient and outpatient mental health units, hospitals, nonprofits, corporate settings, and government positions.
Once you graduate with a child psychology degree, you’ll be prepared to use your psychological training in children’s mental health, not to mention a variety of other fields. Graduates have gone on to work for hospitals, inpatient mental health units, addiction recovery organizations, youth and family providers, the Department of Child Services, nonprofits, shelters, and schools.
