Child and Family Studies
Ruthie Davis, Division Leader
The Child and Family Studies program emphasizes individual and family well-being across the lifespan through the study of human development and family relationships. The program offers certification in Family Life Education (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations and the coursework preparation for certification as a Child Life Specialist through the Child Life Council. Students gain hands-on experience through the Piper Center for Family Studies and Child Development, a NAEYC-accredited lab school.
Admissions Requirements - Child and Family Studies
Students who wish to change their major to Child and Family Studies in the Child Life or Pre-Occupational Therapy concentrations after completing coursework at Baylor may do so during the eligibility period, from the end of a full semester once final grades are posted through the 5th class day of the following term. Students requesting to change their major to Child and Family Studies in the Child Life or Pre-Occupational Therapy concentrations must have a cumulative GPA corresponding to the minimum requirements for their selected track. Transfer students must have a cumulative GPA corresponding to the minimum requirements for their selected track.
Program Cumulative GPA
Child Life 2.75 cumulative GPA
Pre-Occupational Therapy 2.75 cumulative GPA
Requirements for a Major in Child and Family Studies
General Education/B.S. Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum required hours 1 | 124 | |
| Residence requirement | 60 | |
| General Education Requirements | 48-49 | |
| Chapel - two semesters | ||
| ENG 2310 | American Literary Cultures | 3 |
| HIS 1300 | The United States in Global Perspective | 3 |
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| Communication and Media Literacy | 3 | |
| Family Life Education and Ethics | ||
| Contemporary and Social Issues | 3 | |
Select one course from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Psychological Science: Understanding Human Behavior 2 | ||
| The Family: A Global Perspective 3 | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Fine Arts and Performing Arts | 2-3 | |
| Foreign Languages and Cultures | 6 | |
| Formal Reasoning | 3 | |
Select one course from the following: | ||
| Ideas in Mathematics | ||
| Logic | ||
| Elementary Statistics 4 | ||
| Research, Writing, and Literature | 6 | |
| Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Scientific Method I | 4 | |
Select one course from the following: | ||
| Modern Concepts of Bioscience and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | ||
| Modern Concepts of Bioscience, continued and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | ||
| Current Issues in Human Biology | ||
| Introduction to Neuroscience and Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Chemistry and Introductory Chemistry Laboratory 5, 6 | ||
| Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I 5 | ||
| Chemistry and Society 7 | ||
| Scientific Method II | 3 | |
| Consumer Nutrition | ||
| Lifetime Fitness | 3 | |
| Lifetime Fitness Distribution List | ||
CFS Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CFS 1315 | Development of Individual and Family Relationships | 3 |
| CFS 2355 | Child Development | 3 |
| CFS 2357 | Adult Development | 3 |
| CFS 3304 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CFS 3350 | Individual and Family Financial Management | 3 |
| CFS 3356 | Theories of Family Development | 3 |
| CFS 4191 | Professional Practices in Child and Family Studies | 1 |
| CFS 4358 | Planning and Administration of Child and Family Programs | 3 |
| CFS 4359 | Parenting Theory and Approaches | 3 |
| CFS 4390 | Child and Family Studies Practicum | 3 |
| PRD 2101 | Professional Development | 1 |
| HSD Core | ||
| HSD 1104 | New Student Seminar in Human Sciences and Design | 1 |
| Required Concentration | ||
| Choose one of the following concentrations: | 36-43 | |
| Total Hours | 66-73 | |
- 1
Students must have 124 total minimum hours. If they have less than 124 total hours after completing their degree requirements, they will need to take additional elective hours as needed to reach the minimum total hours.
- 2
Contemporary Social Issues: Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration students MUST take either SOC 1305 Introduction to Sociology or PSY 1305 Psychological Science: Understanding Human Behavior.
- 3
Contemporary Social Issues: CFS 4356 The Family: A Global Perspective is NOT an option to fulfill this requirement for Family Life Education Concentration students.
- 4
Formal Reasoning: Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration students MUST take STA 1380 Elementary Statistics.
- 5
Scientific Method I: Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration students MUST take either (1) CHE 1300 Introductory Chemistry and CHE 1100 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory; or (2) CHE 1301 Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I and CHE 1101 General Chemistry Laboratory I.
- 6
Scientific Method I: Family Life Education Concentration students may NOT use CHE 1300 Introductory Chemistry and CHE 1100 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory to fulfill this requirement.
- 7
Scientific Method I: Child Life Concentration students may NOT take CHE 1405 Chemistry and Society to fulfill this requirement.