Children, Youth, & Family Studies - Bachelor of Arts (30 Credits)
(30 credits plus 10 credits of experiential learning; licensure requires additional credits)
This major is designed to engage students in the study of children, youth, and family within the framework of multiple, interconnected contexts: community, culture and society. The major integrates multicultural perspectives throughout the course of study as students learn about the influence of class, race and ethnicity, gender, and culture on human development and family patterns. Students may choose to focus on children, adolescents, emerging adults, and/or the family development across the lifespan.
The major provides a deep foundation in theoretical and practical knowledge and integrates supervised experiential learning with knowledge acquired in classes.
Students may specialize in: Early Intervention (working with children birth to 3 years old with special needs and their families); and Teaching Infants and Toddlers for students interested in obtaining state certification as lead teacher in early child care settings.
The program provides students with a strong foundation in family and developmental studies that will prepare them for graduate studies and work in a broad range of professions.
Students will be able to:
- critically analyze and assess key interdisciplinary theories of child, youth, and family studies.
- examine the impact of social institutions, structures and processes on childhood and youth.
- critically analyze the influence of class, race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality and culture on childhood and family patterns.
- demonstrate the ability to present knowledge acquired, arguments, and analyses effectively in both oral and written forms.
- critically evaluate and conduct social science research on childhood, youth, and family issues.
Please note: a minimum grade of "C" is required in the internship seminars and the capstone course to progress in the major.
Degree Requirements
I. Required Core (15 Credits):
II. Electives in major (15 Credits)
- At least three courses from this category should be 3000 level or above.
- No more than two CPSYC courses can be chosen from this category.
- Optional specializations in Early Intervention* and Teaching Infants and Toddlers** may be substituted for this category of electives
Some courses may have minimum grade requirements and/or prerequisites.
III. Internships (10 Credits)
Double majors in Education and students electing the Optional Specialization in Early Intervention are waived from the internship requirements in this major.
Students electing the Optional Specialization in Teaching Infants & Toddlers, are waived from CSOCS 2401 and CSOCS 3401
| CSOCS 2401 | Social Sciences Pre-Internship Seminar | 1 |
| CSOCS 3401 | Social Science Internship and Seminar I | 3 |
| CSOCS 4401 | Social Science Internship and Seminar II | 6 |
Optional Specializations
Students may substitute these specializations for the Electives in Major category listed above.
[Note: these specializations are unchanged from the prior Child Studies major's tracks.]
*Early Intervention (30 Credits)
**Teaching Infants and Toddlers: (19 Credits)
| CPSYC 2401 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| CPSYC 2437 | Characteristics of Children and Youth with Special Needs | 3 |
| CPSYC 3407 | Critical Issues in Infancy | 3 |
| CEDUC 3360 | Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| CEDUC 3721 | Field Experiences in Learning Environments | 4 |
| CEDUC 4357 | Problems and Issues in Early Care and Education | 3 |
Students may apply for certification as Lead Teacher for Infants and Toddlers through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at program completion.