Child Development and Family Science Major BS, Family Science Specialization

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Students in the family science specialization will study families and close interpersonal relationships to understand the dynamics of families in a changing society and the role of family interaction in individual development and well-being. Family science emphasizes a systems perspective in helping families build healthy relationships and preventing problems before they occur. Graduates are prepared to work in community social service agencies, to provide family life education, or to pursue graduate school in family science, social work, marriage, and family therapy, or other related fields. All family science specialization graduates are eligible to become certified family life educators by the National Council on Family Relations.

Admission Requirements
Students wishing to declare a major in child development and family science with a specialization in family science must be incoming first-year or transfer student or have a cumulative CWU GPA of 2.8. Students who meet the gpa requirement will be admitted upon recommendation of the child development and family science program coordinator.

Graduation Requirements
Child development and family science majors with a family science specialization must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher to remain in the major and must earn a C or higher in all courses used to satisfy the child development and family science major.

Child Development and Family Science Core

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. The child development and family science major provides students an engaging, applied, and transformative learning experience, preparing them for professions helping children and families in community, government, and medical fields. Students apply their classroom learning through hands-on experiences in the community and gain new knowledge by participating in closely mentored research projects. As a result, students learn highly marketable skills to be competitive and successful in their chosen fields, and through strong professional preparation, can transform their passions for working with people into a career.

Child development and family science majors choose to specialize in child development, child life, or family science. Students in all 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 child development and family science practicum.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

demonstrate strong critical thinking skills to evaluate child development and family science research and engage in evidence-based practice;
demonstrate excellent relationship and interpersonal skills and effectively collaborate in work with peers and faculty;
demonstrate strong written communication skills for the purpose of synthesizing research-based information specific to child development and family science;
articulate concepts in child development and family science using effective oral communication and presentation skills;
articulate their own biases and privilege and will demonstrate respect for diverse ways of being and thinking;
conduct research in child development and family science; and
explain and apply family systems and developmental theories in practice with children and families.

Core Requirements

CDFS 101 - Skills for Marriage and Intimate Relationships Credits: (4)
CDFS 232 - Child Development Credits: (4)
CDFS 234 - Contemporary Families Credits: (4)
CDFS 235 - Relationships and Personal Development Credits: (4)
CDFS 236 - Parent Education and Guidance Credits: (4)
CDFS 344 - Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy Credits: (4)
CDFS 405 - Professional Obligations and Responsibilities Credits: (4)
CDFS 419 - Research in Child Development and Family Science Credits: (5)
CDFS 436 - Diversity in Families Credits: (4)
CDFS 492 - Child Development and Family Science Practicum Credits: (1-6) (Must be taken for a total of 12 credits.)
CDFS 495 - Undergraduate Research Credits: (1-6) (Must be taken for 1 credit)

Total Core Requirement Credits: 50

Family Science Specialization

Required Courses Credits: 27

FCS 371 - Real World Finance Credits: (3)
CDFS 237 - Human Sexuality Credits: (4)
CDFS 339 - Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Credits: (4)
CDFS 403 - Family Communication Credits: (4)
CDFS 433 - Family Life Education Credits: (4)
CDFS 435 - Adult Development, Aging, and Family Life Credits: (4)
CDFS 439 - Families and Public Policy Credits: (4)

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 13-16

CDFS 310 - Family Issues in the 21st Century Credits: (4)
CDFS 332 - Trauma and Resilience in Children and Adolescents Credits: (4)
CDFS 333 - Culture and Marriage Credits: (4)
CDFS 334 - Family Problems and Mediation Credits: (4)
CDFS 335 - Relationship Dissolution and Repartnering Credits: (4)
CDFS 340 - Supporting Families with Children with Disabilities Credits: (4)
CDFS 345 - Advanced Concepts in Child Development Credits: (4)
CDFS 403 - Family Communication Credits: (4)
CDFS 414 - Coping with Grief and Loss Credits: (4)
CDFS 415 - Therapeutic Play Credits: (4)
CDFS 416 - Child Life I: Child Life Scope of Practice Credits: (4)
CDFS 417 - Pediatric Diagnoses and Medical Terminology Credits: (4)
CDFS 418 - Child Life II: Impact of Child Hospitalization Credits: (4)
CDFS 432 - Theories in Child Development Credits: (3)
CDFS 438 - Attachment Theory and Practice Credits: (4)
CDFS 440 - Teaching for Child Development and Family Science Credits: (1-3) (May be repeated up to 6 credits.)
IDS 405 - Essentials of Project Funding in the Social Sciences Credits: (5)

Total Specialization Credits: 40-43

Total Credits: 90-93

College and Department Information

Child Development and Family Science Program
College of Education and Professional Studies

Online Availability
The program does not have a designated online only option.

Program Codes
Major plan codes: CDFS, CDFSP
Specialization plan code: FAMSCI, FAMSCIP