Child Development and Family Studies, BS

A Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Studies prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to effectively work with young children and families in multicultural and multilingual settings. This program is distinctive in that it emphasizes healthy development of young children (0 to 8 years old) and their families. Course instructions and 150 hours of hands-on experiential learning allow students to develop skills and knowledge to serve typically developing young children in the home, community, and child care settings.

Program Advisor: Dr. Nedra Washington at Nedra.Washington@untdallas.edu ​

Building Blocks for the Degree

1. Texas Core Curriculum: All students are required to complete 42 hours of the Texas Core Curriculum to earn a degree.
2. Major Requirements: Completion of a minimum of 39 hours from Child Development of which 30 must be advanced. Completion of a minimum of 21 hours from Professional Field (described below). Students should complete 3000-level courses before enrolling in 4000-level courses. 
3. Other Requirements: All students entering the Child Development program must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and be in good academic standing. Must clear criminal background check.
4. Other Courses:   Students must have a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate with a degree from UNTD.  Students may complete a minor, certificate program or general elective courses to meet this requirement.

Core Curriculum Recommendations

UNTD adheres to the Texas Core Curriculum established in Texas Education Code Chapter 61, Subchapter S.  Courses designated on the transcript as a Core Foundation Area will be applied to the Texas Core Curriculum.  As a new Freshman student starting at UNTD (or transfer student looking ahead to attend UNTD), taking the recommended UNTD courses (or equivalent) can reduce hours to degree and provide more opportunities for elective courses.

Texas Core Curriculum (42 hours)

Courses in (parentheses) also count in the major.

Designation	Core Foundation Area	UNTD Recommended Course	Course Name	Credit Hours
010	Communication	ENGL 1313	College Writing I (grade of C or better required)	3
010	Communication	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
020	Mathematics	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
030	Life & Physical Sciences	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
030	Life & Physical Sciences	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
040	Language, Philosophy & Culture	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
050	Creative Arts	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
060	American History	HIST 2610	US History to 1865	3
060	American History	HIST 2620	US History since 1865	3
070	Government & Political Science	PSCI 1040**	American Government: Laws & Institutions	3
070	Government & Political Science	PSCI 1050**	American Government: Process & Policy	3
080	Social & Behavioral Science	(CDFS 1013)	Human Development	3
090	Component Area Option	Varies	Any course in the Core Foundation area	3
090	Component Area Option	(HSML 1300)	Introduction to the Helping Profession	3

Major Requirements (39 hours)

INTD #	Course Name	Co/Prerequisites	Credit Hours
CDFS 3113	Infant & Toddler Development		3
CDFS 3123	Child Development		3
CDFS 3213	Infant Toddler Intervention	PREQ: CDFS 3123	3
CDFS 3300	Family Theories		3
CDFS 3310	*Family Crisis		3
CDFS 3305	*Family Development		3
CDFS 3423	Family, School, and Community		3
CDFS 3315	*Communication in Families		3
CDFS 4023	Practicum	PREQ: SR standing & CDFS 4340 with grade of C or better & UNTD GPA of at least 2.45 & approved the previous semester by CDFS Program Coordinator	3
CDFS 4413	*Family Life Education		3
CDFS 4345	*Parenting Issues & Education	PREQ: SR standing	3
CDFS 4333	*Family Resource Management	PREQ: SR standing	3
CDFS 4395	Capstone	PREQ: Core Complete; CDFS courses completed; enroll in graduating semester	3

*Asterisk denotes courses required for the Certified Life Education Exam.

Professional Field Requirements (21 hours)

UNTD #	Course Name	Co/Prerequisites	Credit Hours
CDFS 3320	*Developmental Sexuality		3
CDFS 4340	*Occupational & Ethical Issues	PREQ: SR standing	3
CDFS 4323	*Family Law & Public Policy	PREQ: SR standing	3
CDFS 4253	Administration of Programs for Children, Youth, & Families	PREQ: SR standing	3
CDFS 3325	Family Financial Planning		3
CDFS 4133	Adolescent Development		3
CDFS 4350	Child Development Seminar: Current Trends & Issues	PREQ: SR standing & Core complete	3

*Asterisk denotes courses required for the Certified Life Education Exam.

Suggested Electives

UNTD #	Course Name	Co/Prerequisites	Credit Hours
CDFS 1013	*Human Development - Needed to receive Provisional CFLE credential and completing all required courses.		3
CDFS 2033	Prereq for other courses above; Suggested elective		3
HSML 1300	Introduction to the Helping Profession; Suggested elective if not taken inthe Texas Core		3

Other UNTD Degree Requirements

All students must meet the General University Requirements  as well as the major requirements.

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

Child Development and Family Studies Major GPA 2.0 or higher (major and field professional field courses)

Further Professional Development

National Council on Familty Relations Certification*
NCFR Contact Areas	UNTD Approved Coursework for Abbreviate Application (Grade of A, B, or C-)
Families & Individuals in Societal Contexts	Family Development
Internal Dynamics of Families	Family Crisis
Human Growth & Development Across the Life Span	Human Development
Human Sexuality	Developmental Sexuality
Interpersonal Relationships	Communication in Families
Family Resource Management	Family Resource Management
Parent Education & Guidance	Parenting Issues & Education
Family Law & Public Policy	Family Law & Public Policy
Family Life Education Methodology Internship/Practicum	Practicum
For more information on CFLE visit https://www.ncfr.org/cfle-certification/what-family-life-education