Child and Family Services - Early Childhood Development Emphasis (A.A.S.)

Program Learning Outcomes

• FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIETAL CONTEXTS. An understanding of families and their relationships to other institutions, such as the educational, governmental, religious, healthcare, and occupational institutions in society.
• FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION METHODOLOGY. An understanding of the general philosophy and broad principles of family life education in conjunction with the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate such educational programs.
• INTERNAL DYNAMICS OF FAMILIES. An understanding of family strengths and weaknesses and how family members relate to each other.
• HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN. An understanding of the developmental changes (both typical and atypical) of individuals in families throughout the lifespan. Based on knowledge of physical, emotional, cognitive, social, moral, and personality aspects.
• HUMAN SEXUALITY. An understanding of the physiological, psychological, & social aspects of sexual development throughout the lifespan, so as to achieve healthy sexual adjustment.
• INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. An understanding of the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships.
• FAMILY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. An understanding of the decisions individuals and families make about developing and allocating resources including time, money, material assets, energy, friends, neighbors, and space, to meet their goals.
• PARENT EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE. An understanding of how parents teach, guide and influence children and adolescents as well as the changing nature, dynamics and needs of the parent/child relationship across the lifespan.
• FAMILY LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY. An understanding of legal issues, policies, and laws influencing the well-being of families.
• PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTICE. An understanding of the character and quality of human social conduct, and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
• Some courses are only taught one semester per year. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their Student Success Advisor before selecting coursework.
• Other courses may be substituted or added with approval and signature of the Department Chair.

Program Prerequisites

The Department of Family Life and Human Development strongly recommends that students complete the following courses as part of their General Education  requirements, as they are prerequisites for required major courses. Students who do not complete these courses as part of General Education can potentially add additional credits and time to their degree.

• ART 1010 - Introduction to Visual Arts  (can be used to fulfill General Education Fine Arts Knowledge Area)
• ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing  (can be used to fulfill General Education Written Communication)
• FLHD 1500 - Human Development through the Lifespan  (can be used to fulfill General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences Knowledge Area)
• HU 1010 - Introduction to Humanities  (can be used to fulfill General Education Humanities Knowledge Area)
• INFO 1010 - Information Literacy  (can be used to fulfill General Education Integrated Knowledge Knowledge Area)
• MATH 1030 - Contemporary Mathematics * (can be used to fulfill General Education Quantitative Literacy)

* Note: Students who are not prepared for this math course may need additional math credits/preparation. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for more information.