FCS-Child Development & Family Studies (BS)

Summary

FCS-Child Development & Family Studies prepares students to work with children, adults and families in a variety of human services, educational, and community settings. The program is certified by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).

Catalog Year

2023-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

53

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

Emphasizes individual growth and interpersonal relationships within our diverse society. Focuses on issues such as interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, mate selection, marriage and family issues, family strengths, stress and crises, parenting decision-making and parent-child relationships, resource management, and personal and family financial issues.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An overview of the scope of family consumer sciences and the career potentials of the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Economic decision making related to achieving maximum satisfaction from resources spent in the marketplace on housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other dimensions of the family. Basic information about the functions and responsibilities of the consumer, laws and agencies affecting consumer well-being and sources of help.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the family from a historical perspective; in terms of the family system and the broader ecological system; in terms of stresses faced and coping responses. This course will address issues at each of four life stages: infancy and early childhood; the school years; transition from school to adult life; and the adult years.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the role of the family in the development of the young child. Provide teachers and care providers with knowledge and understanding of family systems and appropriate interactions with families. Students will participate in a service learning activity.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of culturally diverse family systems in America; emphasis on relationships within the family and with the larger community across the family life cycle.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The course is a study of development through the family life cycle. Emphasis on developmental interaction and systems theory.

Prerequisites: none

Students are provided information of past and present policies that impact underserved families nationally and internationally. Students will identify, review, and discuss family policy using relevant and applicable theory. This course will advance student knowledge for careers in family policy as well as becoming an ethically-minded advocate and/or professional. Students will be provided a variety of opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional writing skills in the subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Analyze issues and concerns related to family life education. Investigate teaching strategies and methods of evaluation. Preparation of appropriate lesson plans.

Prerequisites: none

A systems perspective on parent-child relationship. This course covers parent-child issues during the stages of human development. It also focuses on special needs children and families, cross-cultural issues and family violence. Emphasis is on research and theory and parenting education strategies.

Prerequisites: none

Explores biological, physiological, and sociological perspectives of human sexuality. The course examines personal and family relationships and addresses family life and sex education teaching methods for school and community settings.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Choose 20 Credit(s).

Relationship of clothing to people from cultural, social, psychological, economic and aesthetic perspectives.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduces students to basic food science, food preparation and culinary techniques. The course is taught from the lens of different global cultures and the roles of individuals and nations in a global context using food habits as a model. Foods from around the world are prepared by students to develop culinary skills.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of the child life specialist occupation; emphasis on the unique role this profession plays within the medical community.

Prerequisites: none

This course will provide students with knowledge of appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices implemented in developmentally appropriate educational programs for children ages birth through eight years. Emphasis includes childhood acute and chronic illness, social, emotional and environmental health, health appraisals, health practices, safety promotion and first aid.

Prerequisites: none

Physical, psychological, social, and managerial aspects of housing. Reciprocal relationship between housing and people. Guidelines and basic principles in planning for individual and family needs.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to principles and hands on application of construction techniques for clothing and home furnishings. Emphasis on terminology, equipment, application and practice of sewing skills. Emphasis on consumer aspect of textiles and applications. Student projects will be aligned with sewing skills and experience.

Prerequisites: none

This course is an in-depth examination and discussion of the many complex dynamics that make up romantic relationships. A diverse set of relationship topics are covered, including attachment, intimacy building and conflict diffusing strategies. Open discussion, critical thought, and application are encouraged via classroom and online opportunities.

Prerequisites: none

An examination of the important role that play has in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development of the child from birth to adolescence.

Prerequisites: none

Examination of how adolescents' development are affected by their relationship with their parents and with their peers.

Prerequisites: none

Emphasizes the analyses and assessment of the effectiveness of consumer protection efforts. Emphasis will be placed on government laws, regulations, and agencies at the federal, state and local levels.

Prerequisites: none

The system approach to analyzing family situations to make decisions and correlate resources in the resolution of family managerial problems. Emphasis on the application of managerial skills to lifestyle situations: young-families, older adults, special needs, singles, and low income.

Prerequisites: none

Introduce students to the how's and why's of family financial management to reduce mistakes made in successfully managing financial aspects of life. For non-business majors.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised undergraduate research or investigation in Family Consumer Science under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Prerequisites: none

Study of the philosophy, objectives, and implementation of adult and technical education for family consumer science professionals. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills which are necessary for the process and preparation of delivering effective leader-led individual and group learning with concentration on methods, tools, and techniques employed in facilitating adult learning.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled, supervised work assignment that includes preparation and delivery of family life education materials within a community/organizational/corporate setting.

Prerequisites: none

Topics announced as offered. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

A scheduled work assignment with supervision in private business, industry and government agency appropriate to each area of concentration.

Prerequisites: Consent

Arranged with the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to develop an understanding of major variables that impact the psychological development of children. Emphasis will be placed on what parents and other care givers can do to maximize the healthy psychological development of their children.

Prerequisites: none

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Emphasizes individual growth and interpersonal relationships within our diverse society. Focuses on issues such as interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, mate selection, marriage and family issues, family strengths, stress and crises, parenting decision-making and parent-child relationships, resource management, and personal and family financial issues.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Diverse Cultures: Purple

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

An overview of the scope of family consumer sciences and the career potentials of the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Economic decision making related to achieving maximum satisfaction from resources spent in the marketplace on housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other dimensions of the family. Basic information about the functions and responsibilities of the consumer, laws and agencies affecting consumer well-being and sources of help.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 1 credits

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Study of the role of the family in the development of the young child. Provide teachers and care providers with knowledge and understanding of family systems and appropriate interactions with families. Students will participate in a service learning activity.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Study of the family from a historical perspective; in terms of the family system and the broader ecological system; in terms of stresses faced and coping responses. This course will address issues at each of four life stages: infancy and early childhood; the school years; transition from school to adult life; and the adult years.

Prerequisites: none

An analysis of culturally diverse family systems in America; emphasis on relationships within the family and with the larger community across the family life cycle.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Spring - 14 Credits

Explores biological, physiological, and sociological perspectives of human sexuality. The course examines personal and family relationships and addresses family life and sex education teaching methods for school and community settings.

Prerequisites: none

The course is a study of development through the family life cycle. Emphasis on developmental interaction and systems theory.

Prerequisites: none

Students are provided information of past and present policies that impact underserved families nationally and internationally. Students will identify, review, and discuss family policy using relevant and applicable theory. This course will advance student knowledge for careers in family policy as well as becoming an ethically-minded advocate and/or professional. Students will be provided a variety of opportunities to develop their knowledge and professional writing skills in the subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 2 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Analyze issues and concerns related to family life education. Investigate teaching strategies and methods of evaluation. Preparation of appropriate lesson plans.

Prerequisites: none

A systems perspective on parent-child relationship. This course covers parent-child issues during the stages of human development. It also focuses on special needs children and families, cross-cultural issues and family violence. Emphasis is on research and theory and parenting education strategies.

Prerequisites: none

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

Spring - 14 Credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 3 credits

General Elective Course * 2 credits