Child and Family Studies, Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (B.S.)
The Child & Family Studies major offers three concentrations: Child Development, Family Studies, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education concentration leads graduates to Kentucky public school certification for teaching children birth through age five. Graduates learn to prepare individual education plans for children who experience developmental delays and support plans to assist families of those children. IECE majors will teach in private agencies serving infants to two years and public school settings (Pre-K, three and four year olds, and kindergarten not connected with primary programs for first through third grade).
To be granted a degree in Child and Family Studies students must have a “C” or better in all CDF and supporting courses.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of a degree in Child and Family Studies graduates will be able to:
- assess developmental, political, social, cultural, economic and technological influences on the well-being and diversity of individuals, families and communities;
- design and implement a range of services for individuals, children and families;
- utilize and interpret appropriate individual, family and program evaluation measures;
- access community resources and collaborate with community agencies/services; and
- evaluate and monitor their professional development.
Admission and Progression Requirements for Child and Family Studies with a Concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE)
All students who are accepted by EKU’s Admission office and declare their major as Child and Family Studies are admitted to the University as pre-Child and Family Studies majors. However, admission to the pre-Child and Family Studies program does not guarantee admission to the Child and Family Studies program. To be admitted to the Child and Family Studies program the following criteria must be met:
- Minimum of 45 hours with a 2.75 overall GPA,
- GPA of 3.0 with a grade of “C” or better in each course in the following courses
Course List Code Title Hours CDF 203 Philosophical & Historical Foundations of the EC Profession 3 CDF 235 Child Development: Conception-Eight Years 3 CDF 236 Interaction and Guidance 3 CDF 246 Creative Activities and Materials for Young Children 3 CDF 310 Observation and Assessment in ECE 3 CDF 327S Family Involvement with Young Children 3
Once these requirements have been met, the student must apply to the Child and Family Studies Program Director for a change from the pre-Child and Family Studies program to the Child and Family Studies program.
Note: CDF students with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, must also be admitted into the Teacher Professional Education program. The Office of Professional Education Services is responsible for admitting students to the Teacher Education Program at EKU.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 19.0701
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| EDO 100 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| CDF 132 | Introduction to the Family | 3 |
| CDF 235 | Child Development: Conception-Eight Years 1 | 3 |
| CDF 236 | Interaction and Guidance | 3 |
| CDF 327S | Family Involvement with Young Children | 3 |
| CDF 424 | Diversity Awareness Prof Prac | 3 |
| CDF 437 | Family Stress and Resilience | 3 |
| NFA 317 | Nutrition in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| FCS 400W | Ethics and Advocacy in Family and Consumer Sciences | 3 |
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must select one of the following Concentrations: 2 | ||
Child Development | ||
Family Studies | ||
| Interdisciplinary Early Childhood | 62-67 | |
| Free Electives | ||
Child Development | ||
Family Studies | ||
| Interdisciplinary Early Childhood | 0 | |
| Exit Requirements | ||
| PRAXIS Examination | ||
| Students must register for and take the PRAXIS exam which correlates to their degree program, per College of Education requirements. Refer to Degree Works for exam details. The PRAXIS exam must be taken prior to student teaching. | ||
| Total Hours | 123-128 | |
- 1
Course meets Professional Education Requirements.
- 2
May include substantial practicum hours, as mandated by program accrediting bodies.
Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| CDF 246 | Creative Activities and Materials for Young Children | 3 |
| CDF 310 | Observation and Assessment in ECE | 3 |
| CDF 363 | Early Childhood Literacy | 3 |
| CDF 405 | Program Planning for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| CDF 544 | Early Childhood Development and Program Planning | 3 |
| CSD 360 | Normal Speech & Lang. Dev. | 3 |
| SED 318 | Special Education in Early Childhood | 3 |
| SED 352 | Special Education Early Childhood Assessment | 3 |
| SED 436 | Early Intervention Programming | 3 |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| ELE 519 | Teaching in the Kindergarten | 3 |
| NSC 500 | Early Childhood Health Care | 3 |
| OTS 515 | Early Child Sensorimotor Development | 3 |
| SWK 440 | Addictions | 3 |
| or SWK 456 | Children's Services | |
| Professional Education Requirements 1 | ||
| CDF 203 | Philosophical & Historical Foundations of the EC Profession 2 | 3 |
| CDF 235 | Child Development: Conception-Eight Years (Core) 3 | 3 |
| EDF 204 | Emerging Instructional Technologies 2 | 2 |
| EMS 300W | Curriculum and Instructional Design | 1-3 |
| EMS 490 | Classroom & Behavior Management | 1-3 |
| EDF 413 | Assessment in Education | 2-3 |
| Early Childhood Development and Program Planning (Concentration) 2,3 | ||
| Special Education Introduction (Element 6) G | ||
| Clinical Experiences | ||
| CED 100 | Clinical I: Introduction to the Education Profession | 0 |
| CED 200 | Clinical II: Understanding the Learner | 0 |
| CED 300 | Clinical III: Curriculum and Instructional Design | 0.5 |
| CED 400 | Clinical IV: Diagnosis and Prescription | 0.5 |
| CED 450 | Clinical V: Practicing Teaching | 1 |
| CED 499 | Clinical VI: The Professional Semester | 9 |
| Total Hours | 62-67 | |
- 1
Students must follow admission requirements for professional education. See College of Education, section regarding teacher admission and certification.
- 2
Course meets Professional Education Requirements.
- 3
Course also satisfies Core or Concentration requirements CDF 203 Philosophical & Historical Foundations of the EC Profession=EDF 203 Educational Foundations; CDF 235 Child Development: Conception-Eight Years=EDF 219 Human Development and Learning; SED 352 Special Education Early Childhood Assessment=EDF 413 Assessment in Education.
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.