By Alex Wilson,
                                                									May 27, 2021
                                             
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                WARRENSBURG, MO – Intelligent.com has ranked the University of Central Missouri’s Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development third in the nation among other child development degree programs. The program, offering
                                                   both on-campus and online course options, was ranked highly because of its flexibility,
                                                   value and strong course content.
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                The program, now merited and nationally recognized, is a Certified Family Life Educator
                                                   Approved Program through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). The NCFR
                                                   is the oldest nonprofit nonpartisan multidisciplinary professional association focused
                                                   solely on family research practice and education and is the oldest nonprofit nonpartisan
                                                   multidisciplinary professional association of its kind.
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                Students enrolled in the program can expect to be equipped with knowledge and abilities
                                                   to help them succeed in their careers. Students will not only learn and develop their
                                                   skills but will also evolve these skills to the next level to better understand complicated
                                                   concepts present in the field of human development and family science. The program
                                                   has and will continue to bring success to many students who graduate from the program
                                                   while continuing to enhance the next generations of child and family development career
                                                   workers.
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                As part of the School of Human Services in the Harmon College of Business and Professional
                                                   Studies, the program will prepare aspiring students to serve in a variety of industries
                                                   that include education, social services and government, which are hiring individuals
                                                   knowledgeable about child development.
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                Opportunities are also available for graduates who want to become child life specialists,
                                                   a field that is expected to increase by 7 percent in the next few years.
                                                
                                                “The Child and Family Development Program is an outstanding program with great students
                                                   and faculty,” said Dr. Jaimee L. Hartenstein, program coordinator and assistant professor
                                                   of child and family development at UCM. “The program and faculty are constantly seeking
                                                   opportunities to enhance the student experience and engagement in the classroom and
                                                   beyond. We are thrilled with the recognition and look forward to continuing to provide
                                                   an engaging learning experience for students.”
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                The UCM Child and Family Development program offers flexibility and students benefit
                                                   from highly dedicated faculty members. For more information, contact Hartenstein at
                                                   hartenstein@ucmo.edu, or visit the Child and Family Development webpage.