Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The undergraduate program in Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) offers an online Bachelor of Science degree option.
Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) program focuses on development from birth through age eight, focusing on typical and atypical development, with an emphasis on preparing students to work with young children and families. Students will also complete field experiences and internships in settings that serve children and families. The Bachelor of Science in CDFS is best suited for students interested in working with young children and their families, including careers as a family/parent educator, Head Start teacher, nursery school teacher, and family support worker.
Admissions for 2025-2026
Incoming Freshmen
- Students must meet university admission requirements to be directly admitted to the major
Internal and Outside WVU Transfer
- 2.0 cumulative university GPA
Additional requirements for all students
- Earn a C- or higher in all CDFS, ECSE, or SPED coursework
- Comply with field and major professional and dispositional standards
Major Code: 5506
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 72-46 | |
| Child Development and Family Studies Major Requirements | 48-73 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 | 25 | |
| CDFS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| General Electives | 49-23 | |
| Total Hours | 75-49 | |
Child Development and Family Studies Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required in all Child Development and Family Studies Major Coursework. | ||
| CDFS 110 | Families Across the Life Span (GEF 4) | 3 |
| CDFS 112 | Introduction to Family Processes and Dynamics (GEF 8) | 3 |
| CDFS 210 | Introduction to Parenting | 3 |
| CDFS 212 | Development in Early and Middle Childhood | 3 |
| CDFS 250 | Research Methods (fulfills Writing and Communication Skills requirement) | 3 |
| CDFS 413 | Stress in Families | 3 |
| SPED 404 | Special Education in Contemporary Society (GEF 8) | 3 |
| AREA OF EMPHASIS | 24-49 | |
| Total Hours | 45-70 | |
Note: Students must earn grades of C- or better in all courses with the CDFS course designator required in the major and associated areas of emphasis. If a student’s overall GPA drops below 2.5, they may be subject to academic probation and potentially dismissal from the program.
- *
CDFS 191 is not required for students with transfer work (of at least 29 hours) or students who have previously taken an approved WVU orientation course.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| MATH 121 (GEF 3) | 3 | CDFS 110 (GEF 4) | 3 |
| CDFS 191 | 1 | CDFS 112 | 3 |
| GEF 5 | 3 | GEF 6 | 3 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CDFS 210 | 3 | CDFS 250 | 3 |
| CDFS 212 | 3 | GEF 8 | 3 |
| GEF 2 | 4 | AOE Courses | 9 |
| GEF 8 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| AOE Courses | 9 | AOE Courses | 9 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 7 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CDFS 413 | 3 | SPED 404 | 3 |
| AOE Courses | 9 | AOE Courses | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | CDFS 491 or 491A | 3-6 |
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Area of Emphasis
- Child Development
Child Development Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development Area of Emphasis | ||
| A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all emphasis courses | ||
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| CDFS 211 | Infant Development | 3 |
| CDFS 316 | Child Development Practicum | 3 |
| CDFS 431 | Infant Toddler Language and Literacy | 3 |
| CDFS 432 | Early Socio-Emotional Development | 3 |
| CDFS 491 | Professional Field Experience | 6 |
| CDFS 491A | Professional Field Experience | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | ||
| C&I 410 | Early Childhood Education 1 | 3 |
| C&I 411 | Early Childhood Education 2 | 3 |
| HLSC 172 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 2 |
| RDNG 423 | Literacy and the Young Child | 3 |
| ECSE 311 | Developmental Assessment for Young Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| or ECSE 312 | Differentiated Instruction for Young Children with Special Needs | |
| or ECSE 317 | Technology for Young Children with/without Special Needs | |
| KINDERSKILLS | 3 | |
| Best Practices in Pre-K Movement | ||
| CLASSROOM CREATIVENESS | 2 | |
| Choose one of the following courses: | ||
| Materials and Procedures | ||
| Creative Experiences in Early Childhood | ||
| Music in the Elementary School | ||
| THE BUSINESS OF CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION | 6 | |
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Leadership in Early Childhood | ||
| Child Care Center Administration | ||
| The Business of Child Care Management and Financial Strategies | ||
| External Funding: Early Childhood Programs | ||
| Total Hours | 46 | |
Major Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Child Development and Family Studies
The BS degree in Child Development and Family Studies offers two curriculum options: Birth through 5/Pre-Kindergarten and Family and Youth Studies.
Students in the Birth through 5/Pre-Kindergarten option of Child Development and Family Studies will acquire:
- Knowledge of the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of young children in the family and preschool contexts.
- Skills in implementing appropriate curricula as well as developmental and performance assessments.
- Ability to construct positive and enriched early childhood environments where the young have the opportunity to develop skills for lifelong learning.
- Knowledge of current best practices that prepare young children to be competent, independent learners.
- Ability to reflect on one’s knowledge and skills of teaching and interacting with young children.
- Knowledge of how young children learn in order to prepare educational activities in inclusive environments.
- Extensive field experiences with various ages of young children--infants, toddlers and preschoolers and young school age.
Students in the family and youth option of Child Development and Family Studies will acquire:
- Knowledge in human growth and development, adolescent development, human sexuality, family issues and interaction, youth concerns and issues, and related topics.
- Understanding of the various social contextual influences on adolescent development and family functioning and the interactive relationships between families and other societal institutions such as schools.
- Various strategies for working with adolescents and families in various social service and community-based context.
- Hands-on experience working with children, adolescents, and/or families at community agencies.
- Awareness of the multiple career paths for students in this area of study along with options and opportunities for graduate studies.