The four-year Honours Bachelor of Child Development degree program prepares you for expansive opportunities across the social service, education and health sectors. Upon completion of this program, you will be able to pursue careers in family support services, recreation, early learning and education, infant mental health and early intervention for children and youth with diverse abilities. You will also qualify to register as a member of the College of Early Childhood Educator and practice as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).
In addition to building meaningful careers, many graduates choose to pursue further professional training and education — often in teacher preparation or advanced graduate studies — to deepen their expertise and expand their career options in areas such as assessment and counselling, child life, elementary education, speech and language support and occupational therapy.
As a student of this program, you will be provided support and guidance in self-securing a four-month work term (paid or unpaid) which frequently translates into future employment. Our faculty have direct experience in community and educational settings and can help connect you with potential opportunities as you plan your next steps.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Field placement is central to the learning experience. You will have the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children and families within the community. You will have four different field placement experiences throughout the program.
This program includes a mandatory work term to provide you with valuable hands-on experience in your field of study. A mandatory work term is similar in length to an academic semester and typically involves full-time work hours that may be paid or unpaid. It is typically completed between two academic semesters and requires a minimum of 420 hours of work experience. Students must be in good standing and meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the work experience. Successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation.
The work term search is student-driven and participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. However, students will receive guidance and support through in-class career workshops and one-on-one coaching to help prepare for the work term. Additional fees are required for programs with a mandatory work term, regardless of success in securing a work position. For more information, see fee details.
The work term and field placement must be completed in person.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduates continuing into the BCD program through the pathway option can complete semesters four through eight at either King Campus or Newnham Campus. Visit the Pathways page for more information.
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
International students applying for a PGWP: If you are in a flexible delivery course, you must attend in person as the option to attend online does not apply to you based on IRCC policy. Studying online will impact your PGWP eligibility. Please review the in-person requirements related to PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
Upon graduation you will qualify to join the following affiliations and associations:
This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.
You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our state-of-the-art ECE Labs, preparing you for your in-demand career.
Graduate career ready and world ready. This program has a field placement and mandatory work term to help you hone essential skills for the workplace.
You may qualify for a renewable scholarship and receive up to $1,000 per year when you study in any degree program.
Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.
Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Child Development
"My experience at Seneca was very positive and memorable. The professors and faculty were one of the strongest components of the program. Their knowledge and genuine willingness to support students in the BCD program made such a meaningful impact on my learning and confidence over the four years. I felt so incredibly supported in my entire academic journey, even with encouraging my post educational pursuits."
Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Child Development
"My experience in the Bachelor of Child Development program at Seneca played a big role in preparing me for the work I do today. The program gave me a strong foundation in child development, research methods, and evidence-based practice, and the hands-on placements allowed me to work directly with children and families."
Graduate, Early Childhood Education and Honours Bachelor of Child Development
"My program included a work term which was foundational to developing the skills and research interests I currently am pursuing in my PhD research project. In my work term I was able to be a research assistant on a project regarding the impact of therapy dogs on children's literacy development. This interest in the human-animal bond has continued through my research."
Graduate, Early Childhood Education and Honours Bachelor of Child Development, 2025 Valedictorian
"The combination of core courses and electives, especially those focused on child development and human behaviour, directly prepared me for my master's program in counselling psychology. This preparation has allowed me to enter my advanced studies with confidence, clarity, and a solid understanding of the field."
Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Child Development
"I loved my job, the people, the culture, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Furthermore, I felt valuable as my background education in ECE/BCD helped me largely when interacting with patients, their families, as well as other healthcare professionals."
