Career Ideas for
Child & Adolescent Development Major
The Child and Adolescent Development major provides broad undergraduate preparation for careers working in a wide variety of settings
with children, youth, and families from diverse backgrounds. Many of the career opportunities listed below require special preparation or
additional education beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. You should discuss your goals with CAS faculty and academic advisors who will help you
to plan your education appropriately. To make yourself more competitive upon graduation, make the most of your internships, work part
time in your area of study, and develop marketable skills.
With a Bachelor’s Degree
Administration
Post Baccalaureate Study
(Certification and Advanced Degrees)
School District Support Staff
School Administrator *
Community Care Licensing Staff
Adoption Agency Administrator *
Resource & Referral Agency Staff
Lobbyist
Research Analyst **
Legislation impacting children & families
Child Care Law & Employment Law
Child and Family Advocacy
Grant Writer
Government & Non-Profit Agencies
AIR, RAND, WestEd, Districts, State
Attorney or Judge ****
Fund Raiser
Family Law
Government Official
Children Services Volunteer Coordinator
Child & Educational Products Developer
Professional Trainer
Early Childhood Quality Consultant
Independent Consultant **
Early Childhood Program Director
Curriculum Developer
Retail with developmental focus on books,
music, toys
Business
Design of children’s products (e.g., clothing,
furniture, playground equipment)
Corporate Advisor on Child Care Programs
Designer of Developmentally Appropriate
Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
Toy Inventor
Author of Child/Youth books & media programs
Counseling and Human Services
Residential Care Specialist
Life Skills/Guidance/Vocational Counselor **
Community Services
School Counselor **
Family Support Services Personnel
Marriage, Family, & Child Therapist ***
Youth Development Advisor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker ***
Foster Care & Adoption Services
Clinical Psychologist ****
Foster Family Case Manager**
Education
Early Childhood Educator
K – 12 Teacher *
Family Child Care Provider/Owner
Home Visit Teacher *
School Readiness Coordinator
Community College Professor **
Substitute Teacher
University Professor ****
Special Education Technician
Children’s Librarian **
Educational Interpreter for Deaf
Museum Educator **
Educational Software Tester
Educational Therapist ***
Assessment Assistant
Program Evaluator **
After-School Program Staff
Coordinator of Assessment ****
Parent Educator
Health
School Districts & State Dept. of Education
Tutor
Site Director for After-School Programs
Child Life Specialist
Nutritionist **
Public Health & Wellness Educator
Occupational or Physical Therapist ***
Case Worker
Recreational or Art Therapist ***
Patient Advocate
Pediatric Nurse-Practitioner ***
Pre- and Post Natal Care Instructor
Speech-Language Pathologist ***
Birth & Newborn Support Personnel
Medical Doctor (Pediatrician) ****
Dentist (Pediatric) ****
Juvenile Justice
Probation Officer
Police Officer*
Group Home Manager
Recreation
Recreation Specialist
Foster Family Case Manager **
*
Requires professional certification
**
Requires Masters degree
***
Requires Masters plus certification/licensure
****
Requires Doctoral degree