CHILD STUDIES

This program is designed to develop understanding of children and their needs. Students gain knowledge of the intellectual, physical, social and emotional principles critical to working with children. The program, which leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree, includes courses on nutrition, family relations, developing age appropriate curriculum, child development and assessment, psychology and parenting. A minor is required for this degree. Students will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge through practical experiences in a variety of settings through the required internship. Graduates of this program will work with children through adolescence.

Characteristics associated with success in this major include an interest in the social, health, and economic relationship between the family and society. You should:

• have good communication and organization skills

• be interested in family studies

• be creative

• have good leadership and decision-making skills

Work Tasks and Settings

• Work to improve the quality of family life

• Give advice on what foods to eat, how to run a home, etc.

• Work in classrooms, community centers, homes, offices, colleges, and universities

• Work with problems like poor housing, food shortages, energy use, population growth, and environmental problems

• Work for news organizations, the government, schools, and human service organizations

Abilities needed:

• work well with others

• want to teach or help people

• be a good leader

• communicate well

• organize things well

Careers:

• Head Start

• Child advocacy

• Juvenile services

• Child abuse/prevention programs

• Youth counselor

• Child welfare worker

• Home visiting programs

• Extension agencies

• First Steps

• Kinder care

• After school programs

• Family Resource Centers

 

Coursework:

 WKU COURSES:                                                           KCTCS EQUIVALENT

CFS 111 Human Nutrition	NFS 101
CFS 180 Foundations in FCS
CFS 191 Child Development	FAM 255/IECE 130
CFS 192 Working w/ Young Children & Family
CFS 292 Diversity in Early Childhood Programs
CFS 294 Assessment of Young Children	IECE 170
CFS 299 Admin. of Early Childhood Programs	IECE 240
CFS 310 Management of Family Resources	FAM 251
CFS 311 Family Relations	FAM 252
CFS 380 Professional Presentation Techniques
CFS 399 Implications of Research In FCS
CFS 410 Internship
CFS 492 Growth & Guidance of Children	FAM 256
CFS 493 Family Life Education
CFS 494 Parenting Strategies
CFS 499 Critical Issues: Family & Child Studies
SOC 300 Using Statistics in Sociology

 *A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all CFS courses.

*A minor is required for this degree.

Sequencing:

Because of transferring credits and WKU-O course offerings, the length of time to finish this program differs for each student. It is important to meet with a WKU-O advisor as soon as possible. Bring an unofficial copy of transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. It is also important to determine your availability to take courses: part-time, full-time, summer term.

WKU-O Academic Requirements:

• 120 college-level undergraduate semester hours including the following:

- 44 semester hours of General Education

- 42 semester hours of upper-division credit (300-400 level courses)

- 30 hours must be earned in residence (at WKU), at least 16 of which must be completed after the semester in which the student earned a cumulative total of at least 90 hours.

• Students must earn a minimum of 54 semester hours with WKU to graduate with honors.
• Students must apply for graduation upon the completion of 90 semester hours.
• Students are to meet with an advisor each semester.