Child Development and Family Science Program

Family and Consumer Science Department
College of Education and Professional Studies
Ellensburg
Michaelsen Hall, room 100
Mail Stop 7565
509-963-2766
Fax 509-963-2787
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/family-consumer/

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Sarah Feeney, PhD, CFLE

Program Coordinators
Sarah Feeney, PhD, child development and family science graduate program
Natalie Fish, MS, child development and family science undergraduate program

Professor
Amy Claridge, PhD, LMFT child development and family science

Associate Professors
Duane Dowd, PhD, child development and family science
Sarah Feeney, PhD, CFLE child development and family science

Senior Lecturer
Natalie Fish, MS, child development and family science

Lecturer
Emilie Sare, MS, CCLS, child development and family science

Emeritus Faculty
Joan Amby, PhD

Staff
Alex Lange, secretary senior

Program Information
The Bachelor of Science child development and family science major is an interdisciplinary study of interpersonal and family relationships and their impact on child development. Child Development and Family Science majors are actively engaged in community involvement and practical application of knowledge.

The child development specialization applies child development theory to the practice of working with children and families across a variety of contexts and professions. Graduates are well prepared with knowledge and skills for professional careers that involve work with children including in early childhood learning, child welfare, adoption, and family social service settings. Students will also be prepared to pursue graduate training in social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, child development and family science, or other related fields.

The child life specialization applies child development theory to the practice of helping children and families through traumatic events, specifically related to hospitalization. The curriculum meets the recommendations of the Association of Child Life Professionals and includes several courses taught by certified child life specialists. Graduates are well prepared for career opportunities that involve work with children, or to pursue a child life internship and child life graduate study required to become a certified child life specialist.

Students in the family science specialization are well prepared for career opportunities in family service agencies, parent education programs, family counseling centers, other family life education settings, or advanced study in family relations. All family science specialization graduates are eligible to become Certified Family Life Educators by the National Council on Family Relations.

Child development and family science majors in both specializations must complete a practicum experience that includes 360 total hours (12 academic credits) of field related service within the community. Students are encouraged to apply for the major early in their academic careers to allow for proper planning and placement in the family and child life practicum.

Please see degree information for details on admission and graduation requirements.

Graduate Program Information
The Child Development and Family Science degree includes an advanced interdisciplinary study of interpersonal and family relationships. The graduate program has a strong emphasis on community involvement, practical application, and research. Graduates are prepared for advanced career opportunities in children’s hospitals, family service agencies, parent education programs, family counseling centers, other family life education settings or doctoral study in family relations.

Graduate students in child development and family science who enter the program without prior coursework needed for preparing them for the graduate degree will need to take undergraduate courses as deficiencies or demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the area. Students wishing to pursue child life specialist certification who do not have a child life undergraduate degree will develop a program of study with their advisor to address all child life council competencies required for certification.

Please see degree information for details on admission and graduation requirements.

Course Offerings
Frequency of course offering information can be found at the program website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/child-family/index.php or by contacting the program coordinator directly.

Programs

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Non-degree Undergraduate Minors or Certificates

Courses

Child Development and Family Science (CDFS)