Child and Family Studies (CFS)

CFS 1315  Development of Individual and Family Relationships  (3)  

An introductory study of individual development integrating interpersonal and intrafamily relationships across the family life course.

CFS 2355  Child Development  (3)  

Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from conception through emerging adulthood. Requires completion of 12 lab hours at the Piper Center.

CFS 2357  Adult Development  (3)  

Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual development from emerging adulthood through older adulthood, emphasizing developmental tasks in adulthood.

CFS 3304  Introduction to Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Research methods, experimental procedures, writing, reporting data, and evaluating current research within various areas of human sciences. The format of the course includes a combination of lecture and discussion, writing assignments, literature review, and/or oral presentations.

CFS 3324  Children and Families with Special Needs  (3)  

Social, educational, and vocational challenges faced by families with children with special needs.

CFS 3325  Child Health Programs  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Junior standing or consent of instructor  

Theory and community practice of current and proposed public health programs benefiting children. Course targets future child life specialists, dietitians, nurses, educators, social workers, and public health administrators.

CFS 3350  Individual and Family Financial Management  (3)  

Study of individual and family financial decisions, planning and management.

CFS 3354  Family Life Education and Ethics  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 1315 and 2355  

Historical, philosophical, and theoretical foundations of Family Life Education (FLE); frameworks for FLE roles, design, delivery, evaluation, and ethical practice.

CFS 3356  Theories of Family Development  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

A theoretical study of societal changes affecting families over the life course. Using a systems paradigm, emphasis is placed on effective communication and knowledgeable choices regarding marriage, parenting, divorce, family crises, and aging.

CFS 3357  The Preschool Child  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 2355 or consent of instructor  

A study of the social relationships and adjustments of the young child in group situations, including supervised participation and the planning and implementation of curriculum.

CFS 3358  Infant and Toddler Development  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 2355  

Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from conception through the first three years of life, emphasizing the bi-directional influence between children and primary caregivers. Requires completion of 20 lab hours at the Piper Center.

CFS 3362  Child Life Theory and Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 2355 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Historical and theoretical perspective on development of child life field and information on fundamental skills required to help children and families cope with the stress of a health care experience.

CFS 3368  Theory and Principles of Play  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 2355 or consent of instructor  

The study of play theory, creativity, guidance, and implementation of developmentally-appropriate practice in diverse settings for children in early childhood. Requires completion of 20 lab hours at the Piper Center.

CFS 4191  Professional Practices in Child and Family Studies  (1)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing and a minimum grade of C in CFS 1315, 2355, 3304, and 3356  

The study and preparation for the Child and Family Studies practicum experience. Application of professional skills related to various forms of written and verbal communication, interview techniques, and ethics.

CFS 4340  Resource Management  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

Emphasis on a systems approach to time, energy, and resource management. Strategies for maximizing management influences on individual and family welfare. Designed to include occupational competencies and analyze career and job opportunities.

CFS 4356  The Family: A Global Perspective  (3)  

Families around the world: functions, roles, responsibilities, environmental influences, and interactions with other societal institutions.

CFS 4357  Child and Family Policy and Advocacy  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Exploration of the reciprocal influences between children and families and all branches of government, including public/private sectors at local, state, and federal levels. Emphasis placed on models, skills, and approaches necessary to advocate for and influence policy.

CFS 4358  Planning and Administration of Child and Family Programs  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FCS 3304; and upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Administration and planning of programs serving children and families. Emphasis is placed on program planning, evaluation, ethics, and professionalism as they apply to child and family programs.

CFS 4359  Parenting Theory and Approaches  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CFS 1315 and CFS 2355, or consent of instructor  

Theory-based study of parenting approaches, issues, and outcomes for applied practice with diverse families across the lifespan, including the creation, implementation, and identification of parent education resources to support individual and family well-being.

CFS 4363  Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing and a minimum grade of C in CFS 2355  

Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from middle childhood through adolescence. Application of program design principles in community-based settings to support development. Requires completion of 20 hours in a community-based setting.

CFS 4364  Child and Family Ministry  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Biblical framework, contemporary issues, models, skills, and approaches of child and family ministry, covering faith-based settings.

CFS 4367  Family Transitions, Stress, and Resilience  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of the instructor  

Current theory and models seeking to understand family transitions, stress, coping, adaptation, and resilience.

CFS 4368  Family Perspectives on Aging  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

A study of normative aging processes within the family context.

CFS 4390  Child and Family Studies Practicum  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 2355, 3356, 4359, and 4191; and consent of instructor  

Requires a minimum of one hundred and fifty clock hours of directed experiences in a program-related professional setting, plus weekly online class activities and discussions. May be repeated in a different setting for a maximum of 6 credits.

CFS 4695  Internship in Child Life  (6)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CFS 3357, 4359, 4362; senior standing; and consent of instructor  

Supervised child life internship in an approved hospital for four hundred or more hours. Written reports and research required.

CFS 4V93  Special Topics in Child and Family Studies  (1-6)  

Current issues in Child and Family Studies will be examined through seminars, special topics, practicums, and/or individual research experiences. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 6 semester hours.