Child Development and Family Relations

Because the programs vary so much in the Department of Child Development and Family Relations, there are many different types of internships, student teaching, and field opportunities available to students in our programs. We have student interns in medical, therapeutic, and community service agencies, just to name a few. Some of our programs require students to perform student teaching duties, which may occur in either public school or private center settings. Other field experience opportunities may come in the form of working at or with community agencies, the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, the Child Development Lab, etc.

Each of our programs requires students to complete an internship. Internships are completed at a variety of locations including public schools, community agencies, and childcare settings. In the Birth through Kindergarten program, students can complete their student teaching in a public school setting. The Child Life students complete their internships in a hospital or healthcare setting. Some Child Life students even complete their internship out of the United States in locations such as New Zealand or Canada. Family and Community Service students can complete their internship in a community agency or childcare setting. Family and Consumer Science students will complete their student teaching in a public middle or high school.


	All students must have liability insurance for internships and practicums. This is a minimal fee paid to the department. Instructors will inform students of the current rate of liability insurance at the beginning of the academic semester. Only checks and money orders are accepted for specific amount. Students cannot begin their internship/practicum until liability insurance is paid.

	A Tuberculosis Skin Test is required prior to beginning an internship or practicum in a healthcare or child care setting. You can have a TB skin test done at Student Health, the local health department or a private physician before the semester begins. TB skin tests are valid for one year and must encompass your time in your setting.

Please feel free to contact us at:
CDFR@ecu.edu or 252-328-6908.