Child and Family Studies Child Development B.A.
The concentration in Child Development focuses on developmental theories, including the physical, psychological, social, intellectual, and moral development of children. Students explore the common and special needs of children, fundamentals of early childhood education, methods of childhood guidance, and other individual areas of interest. Graduates from this area of concentration are employed in centers for early childhood care and/or education as teachers or directors, as nannies in private homes, with parks and recreation services, with community programs (such as the Boys and Girls Club), in social service agencies (child protective, adoption, or foster-care services), in cooperative extension as 4-H agents, and as part of hospital healthcare teams as child life specialists. Some Child Development graduates have opened their own childcare centers. In addition, students completing this concentration have pursued graduate studies in a variety of related fields, including teacher certification in early childhood education.
Degree Requirements
A major in Child and Family Studies, with an Area of Concentration in Child Development, is achieved by completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:
Required CFS Core Courses
| CFS 130 | Lifespan Human Development | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 145 | Consumer Decision Making | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 207/WGS 207 | Family Relations (WGS) | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 221 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 1 Course Credit |
Required Capstone Courses
| CFS 441 | Family Resource Management | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 480 | Senior Research Seminar | 1 Course Credit |
Required Distribution Courses
Four (4) courses, one of which must be CFS 313, CFS 315 or CFS 356 selected from:
| CFS 210 | Found of Early Childhood Edu | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 245 | Community Resources-Families | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 313 | Infancy and Early Childhood | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 315 | Middle Childhood & Adolescence | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 317 | Family-Child-Profsnl Interactn | |
| CFS 353 | Childhood Guidance | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 356 | Variatns Young Children's Devl | 1 Course Credit |
| CFS 360/SOC 360 | E. Child Curr/Methds/Matl | 1 Course Credit |
CFS 186/286/386/486
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CFS 395/495
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Both CFS 186/286/386/486 and CFS 395/495 must be approved by the CFS Department for this area of concentration. For each of these courses, only one credit shall count toward the major concentration requirement.
To learn more about program entrance and other degree progression requirements, please follow this link.