The Child and Family Studies degree represents an integration of theory, research, and practice from multiple disciplines and offers a well-rounded education for students wanting to work with children and families. Students participate in a variety of hands-on experiences catered toward individual career goals; the practicum courses allow students to work with their populations of interest.
This degree provides a foundation of course work for students who intend to pursue continued education in the areas of counseling, social work, public administration, juvenile justice, conflict resolution, or other related disciplines. The degree is offered both in person and online.
Curriculum Abbreviations
- CL – Number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
- LAB – Number of simulation laboratory, laboratory or clinical hours per week for the course
- CR – Number of credit hours for the course
First Year
| Course | Title | CL | LAB | CR |
| Fall Semester | ||||
| ECE 101C | Growth and Development of the Young Child | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HSV 111C | Introduction to Human Services | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MHTH 187C | The Helping Relationship | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 14 | ||||
| Spring Semester | ||||
| MATH 120C | Quantitative Reasoning | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| PSYC 105C | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HSV 242C | Ethics and The Professional Helper | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 167C | Positive Behavior Guidance and Supporting Young Children w/ Challenging Behaviors | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSYC 283C | Group Counseling | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 16 | ||||
Second Year
| Course | Title | CL | LAB | CR |
| ECE 195C | Child and Family Practicum I | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| CRMJ 150C | Criminology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENGL 120MC/COMM 120MC | Communication: Mindful | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XX xxxC | Social Science elective1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XX xxxC | General elective2 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 16 | ||||
| Spring Semester | ||||
| ECE 242C | Child, Family, and Community | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 298C | Child and Family Practicum II or | |||
| ECE 283C | Early Intervention Practicum | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| XX xxxC | Lab Science elective3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| XX xxxC | Humanities/Fine Arts/Language elective4 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | ||||
| Total Credits | 60 | |||
1Choose from SOCI 240C or PSYC 220C.
2Choose from CRMJ 230, SOC 250, ADCL 120, or additional ECE course approved by department chair.
3Choose from BIOL 120, BIOL 159, or BIOL 125.
4Choose from PHIL 242 or ASL 104.
Candidates may be required to have a personal interview with a department faculty member.
The Child and Family Studies Department is a hands-on, project-centered, competency- and evidence-based program that facilitates the growth of leaders preparing to work with children, families, and communities. Graduates are able to:
- Describe the development, roles, and interaction patterns of children, youth, and families within their social systems.
- Describe the contributions of multiple theories or practices to the field of child and family development, both within and across disciplines.
- Demonstrate the ability to synthesize multiple information sources and points of view into a discussion of major child and family development issues.
- Present a project or paper linking knowledge from work, community, or research activities with knowledge acquired in the study of child and family development.
- Identify dimensions of diversity in children, youth, and families and recognize oppressive forces that hinder their positive development.
- Demonstrate professional standards of ethical conduct.
Students who complete this program can enter into the following professions: early childhood educators, family/parent educators, home-visiting service providers, social services caseworkers, early intervention/special education assistants, and service providers for community agencies serving children, youth, and families.
Child and Family Studies students complete supervised, hands-on training in the form of two 15-week practica, each 125 hours (~ 8 hours/week) as part of their program of study. These experiences offer the opportunity to apply theories and principles to real-world situations. Students in Child and Family Studies must have successfully completed HSV 111C, HSV 242C, MHTH 187C, PSYC 105C, and PYSC 283C, each with a C or higher, and have permission of department chair of Child and Family Studies.
Shaunna Babcock
Child and Family StudiesProfessorGrappone 222
Diana Menard
Child and Family Studies | Child and Family Studies, Young Children with Autism and Exceptionalities CertificateDepartment ChairGrappone 221
Michael O’Bryant
Addiction Counseling Program | Human ServiceDepartment ChairGrappone 219
