This degree offers six options:
Degree and certificate information and requirements are listed under each option alphabetically in this Catalog.
The field of Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) strives to improve the lives of children and families. As an integrative and interdisciplinary specialization, CDFS incorporates information from a variety of disciplines to provide a comprehensive academic and professional background for working with children and families. Our primary focus is on utilizing the preventive approach to assist individuals and families with daily living.
Each course on the student’s program planner must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. In addition, a course in which a grade lower than “C” is received must be retaken and successfully completed prior to enrolling in a course for which it is a prerequisite. A student receiving a grade lower than a “C” may proceed with other courses with the approval of the Child Development and Family Studies Area Coordinator.
The Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) minor offers the opportunity to take a concentration of courses focusing on children and families. By providing students with an aggregate of CDFS courses students will be better prepared careers relating to children and families in an array of settings.
Requirements
Students seeking a minor in CDFS must meet all prerequisite course requirements. In addition, students must maintain a “C” or better in all courses required for the minor. The minor requires 21 total units.
The minor in Child Development and Family Studies is not available to Child Development and Family Studies majors.
This option is available in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. It was introduced in response to a certification process developed by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). NCFR is the leading national organization for professionals concerned with promoting and enhancing the quality of family life. NCFR sponsors the only national program to certify family life educators.
After completing the recommended preparatory course work in this department, it is possible to get two types of certification from NCFR:
Provisional Certification from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is available to students who complete the approved courses that correspond to the ten substance areas from an approved program, but without the minimum two years of work experience.
Full Certification from the NCFR is available to students who graduate from an approved academic program and have completed at least two years of work experience as a family life educator. The work experience of the student has to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by an NCFR review committee.
Interested students should contact the Family Life Education Coordinator, Dr. Nilufer P. Medora, Family and Consumer Sciences (562) 985-4488 or at medora@csulb.edu
This option provides an academic and professional background for work with children, adults, couples, and families. It offers an interdisciplinary foundation in several areas that influence and enhance the quality of life of children, adults, couples, and families based on education, enrichment and prevention. Fieldwork opportunities where students have direct experiences with individuals and families in the community are provided for qualified students.
Requirements
In addition, a course in which a grade lower than “C” is received must be retaken and successfully completed prior to enrolling in a course for which it is a prerequisite. A student receiving a grade lower than a “C”, may proceed with other courses with the approval of the Child Development and Family Studies Area Coordinator. Each course on the student’s program planner must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
