The CFS major requires a total of 120 credit hours. Thirty-three of these hours are required CFS core courses designed to teach students about development over the life course, family dynamics and interaction patterns, research methods, and interpersonal and professional skills. The field-based practicum, research, or teacher internship experience completes the core requirements. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all CFS courses. In addition to the core coursework, students take courses to fulfill university general education requirements and they complete their program of study with specialized coursework designed to broaden their educational experience as well as to provide knowledge in areas of their choosing. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (2.7 for PreK–3 and PreK–K students) to successfully complete the program.
View the course descriptions that corresponds with the information below.
Development (6 credits)
- CFS 211: Development in Infancy and Childhood
- CFS 213: Development in Adolescence and Adulthood
Family (6 credits)
- CFS 220: Marriage and Family: Roles and Relationships
- CFS 320: Family Interaction
Diversity (3 credits)
- CFS 385: Diversity Among Children and Families
Research (3 credits)
- CFS 395: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
Professional Skills (3 credits)
- CFS 405: Development of Professional Skills
Practicum (12 credits)
NOTE: Practicum options are dictated by a student’s chosen track in CFS.
- CFS 470: Practicum: PreK–K Teaching; and
- CFS 472: Practicum: PreK-3 Student Teaching
- CFS 480: Practicum: Community Outreach (restricted to Community Outreach students.)
- CFS 490: Practicum: Research (restricted to Community Outreach students.)
Specialty Areas for Community Outreach Students ONLY
Specialty electives are grouped into specialty areas. Students must complete a total of three specialty areas of 9 credit hours each. Students wishing to emphasize one specialty area may satisfy two of their three specialty areas by taking 18 credit hours in that area. A course may be counted in one specialty area only and may not be used to fulfill any other elective requirement. Check the Undergraduate Catalog for any prerequisites required for these courses. Community outreach CFS interests may not choose either area designated for early childhood education teacher licensure (PreK–K or PreK–3) preparations.
Specialty Area for PreK–K/PreK–3 Candidates ONLY
Students pursuing a teacher licensure program, either PreK–K or PreK–3, will follow the single specialty area requirements for their chosen program. Students electing to pursue PreK–K or PreK–3 specialty areas will take a total of 34 credit hours in this specialty area plus an additional 3 credit hours from their advanced social science electives.
- Successful completion of all specialty area courses is contingent upon admission to the licensure program.
- Visit the PreK–K or PreK–3 undergraduate pages for program information and admission requirements.
- Refer to the Teacher Licensure Handbook for further details.