Child and Family Studies (BS)
Ruthie Davis, Undergraduate Program Director
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.
Admission Requirements
The Child and Family Studies major is available with four concentrations. The Child Development concentration and the Marriage and Family concentration are both open to anyone admitted to Baylor as a degree-seeking undergraduate student. The Child Life concentration and Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration both have additional cumulative GPA requirements that must be met in order to declare the concentration.
| Program | Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|
| CFS - Child Development Concentration | N/A - Baylor admission only |
| CFS - Child Life Concentration | 2.75 |
| CFS - Marriage and Family Concentration | N/A - Baylor admission only |
| CFS - Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration | 2.75 |
Students who wish to change their major to Child and Family Studies with a Child Life or Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration 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 concentration. Transfer students must have a cumulative GPA corresponding to the minimum requirements for their selected concentration.
Requirements for a Major in Child and Family Studies (BS)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Total Hours Requirement | (124) | |
| Minimum GPA - 2.0 ("C") Overall | ||
| Minimum Hours in Residence | (60) | |
| Minimum Advanced Hours (for UG: 3000- or 4000-level courses) | (36) | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Standard HH Core Requirements | ||
| Chapel - two semesters | ||
| ENGL 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 |
| Additional General Education Requirements for Major | ||
| Communication and Media Literacy | ||
| CFS 4354 | Family Life Education and Ethics | 3 |
| Contemporary and Social Issues | ||
| Select 3 hrs. from the following (concentration-dependent): | 3 | |
| The Family: A Global Perspective 2 | ||
| Psychological Science: Understanding Human Behavior 1 | ||
| Introduction to Sociology 1 | ||
| Fine Arts and Performing Arts | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Foreign Languages and Cultures | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Formal Reasoning | ||
| Select 3 hrs. from the following (concentration-dependent): 3 | 3 | |
| Research, Writing, and Literature | ||
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| PWR 3300 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Scientific Method I | ||
| Select 4 hrs. from the following (concentration-dependent): | 4 | |
| 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 4 | ||
| Basic Principles of Modern Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I 4 | ||
| Chemistry and Society | ||
| Scientific Method II | ||
| NUTR 3314 | Consumer Nutrition | 3 |
| Lifetime Fitness | ||
| Select three courses from the following: | 3 | |
| Child and Family Studies Major Requirements | ||
| 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 4357 | Child and Family Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| 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 5 | 3 |
| PRD 2101 | Professional Development | 1 |
| Required Concentration | ||
| Choose one of the following concentrations: | 39-43 | |
| Note: Additional elective hrs. to reach 124 hrs. minimum may be required. | ||
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
Contemporary Social Issues: Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration students MUST take either SOC 1305 Introduction to Sociology or PSY 1305 Psychological Science: Understanding Human Behavior.
- 2
Contemporary Social Issues: CFS 4356 The Family: A Global Perspective is required for Child Development and Child Life concentrations.
- 3
Formal Reasoning: Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration students MUST take STA 1380 Elementary Statistics.
- 4
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.
- 5
CFS 4390 Child and Family Studies Practicum involves an approved, on-site internship, following the completion of prerequisite courses.