Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Science
Nature of the Program
The undergraduate program in Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) offers an in-person as well as a fully 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 children, youth and their 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 children, youth and their families, including careers as a family/parent educator, developmental specialist, community services, and family support worker.
Admissions for 2027-2028
Incoming Freshmen
- All First-Time Freshmen who meet the University requirements are directly admitted into the Child Development and Family Studies program
Internal and External Transfer Students
- At least a 2.0 cumulative university GPA is required for admission to the program
Major Code: 5505 (in-person)
Major Code: 5506 (online)
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
| F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
| F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
| F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
| F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
| F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
| F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
| F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 31-37 | |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 69 | |
| Child Development and Family Studies Major Requirements | 51 | |
| 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, and 7 | 24 | |
| CAHS 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 43 | |
| Total Hours | 69 | |
Professional and Career Development Sequence
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence * | ||
| First-Year Seminar | ||
| Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | ||
| Capstone Experience in AHS | ||
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 | 3 |
| CDFS 210 | Introduction to Parenting | 3 |
| CDFS 213 | Foundations of Human Development: Infancy Through Childhood | 3 |
| CDFS 250 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CAHS 300 | Career Exploration in Applied Human Sciences | 3 |
| CDFS 311 | Developmental Assessment for Young Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| or CDFS 315 | Home-Based Programs for Early Intervention | |
| CDFS 413 | Stress in Families | 3 |
| or CDFS 415 | Family Interaction and Communication | |
| CDFS 416 | Trauma, Resiliency, and Children | 3 |
| CDFS 417 | Families and Health | 3 |
| CAHS 489 | Capstone Experience in AHS | 3 |
| Upper Level Developmental Specialization | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Development in Context: Culture, Society, and Child Development | ||
| The Science of Positive Youth Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Early Socio-Emotional Development | ||
| Required Minor ** | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- *
-
CAHS 191 is accounted for in the University Requirements, CAHS 300 and CAHS 489 as part of the Major Requirements.
- **
Students declaring a second major are not required to fulfill the minor requirement.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 |
| CDFS 110 (GEF 4) | 3 | CDFS 210 | 3 |
| CDFS 112 | 3 | CDFS 213 | 3 |
| CAHS 191 | 2 | GEF 2 | 3 |
| GEF 3 | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 |
| General Elective | 1 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CDFS 315 or 311 | 3 | CDFS 250 | 3 |
| GEF 2 | 3 | CAHS 300 | 3 |
| GEF 6 | 3 | GEF 7 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Upper Level Developmental Specialization Course | 3 | CDFS 413 or 415 | 3 |
| General Electives | 12 | CDFS 416 | 3 |
| General Electives | 9 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CDFS 417 | 3 | CAHS 489 | 3 |
| General Electives or Minor | 12 | General Electives or Minor | 12 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Child Development and Family Studies
- Describe and apply knowledge in human growth and development, family issues and interaction, youth concerns and issues, cultural and societal contexts, and related topics.
- Explain, interpret, and appraise the various social contextual influences on development and family functioning and the interactive relationships between families and other societal institutions.
- Identify, describe, design, and appraise strategies for working with children, adolescents, and families in various social service and community-based context.