BS in Child Development and Family Studies
Middle Tennessee State University
Key Information
Campus location
Murfreesboro, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 1,178 / per credit *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* in-state tuition per credit hour: $385 | out-of-state tuition per credit hour: $1,178
Scholarships
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Introduction
The mission of the Child Development and Family Studies program is to be first and foremost proactive in its holistic approach to working with diverse individuals and families. Much of our work is educational in nature, focusing on improving clients’ current and future abilities to function. In addition, we collaboratively seek to empower individuals facing challenges across the lifespan. Through the development of creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and strong interpersonal skills, graduates pursue careers in various professional roles aimed at preserving and supporting families and individuals at all stages of life.
Admissions
Curriculum
Curriculum: Family and Consumer Studies, Child Development and Family Studies
Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.
Freshman
- ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
- ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing 3 credit hours (Comm)
- Humanities and/or Fine Arts (2 prefixes) 6 credit hours
- MATH 1010 - Mathematics for General Studies 3 credit hours (Math) (rec.)
- CDFS 3320 - Family Relations 3 credit hours *
- HSC 1010 - Career Orientation 1 credit hour
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
- Electives 4 credit hour
Subtotal: 30 Hours
Sophomore
ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) or
- ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature 3 credit hours (Hum/FA) or
- HUM 2610 - World Literatures 3 credit hours (Hum/FA)
- COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 credit hours (Comm)
- CDFS 3310 - Human Development II 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 3330 - Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships 3 credit hours *
- PSY 1410 - General Psychology 3 credit hours (Soc/Beh Sci) (rec.)
- Minor 3 credit hours
- Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
- NFS 1240 - Principles of Nutrition 3 credit hours
- HSC 4410 - Consumer Economics 3 credit hours *
- HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 31 Hours
Junior
- PSY 4600 - Psychosexual Adjustment 3 credit hours * or
- HLTH 4360 - Teaching Human Sexuality 3 credit hours
- CDFS 4140 - Violence in the Family 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4340 - The Contemporary Family 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4310 - Human Development III 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4350 - Parenting 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4390 - Families in Later Life 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4391 - Aging Health and Development 3 credit hours *
- Minor 6 credit hours
- HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2030 - Tennessee History 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I 3 credit hours or
- HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 30 Hours
Senior
- HSC 4000 - Senior Seminar 1 credit hour
- CDFS 3390 - Child Development and Family Studies Professional Seminar 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4790 - Family Life Program Development and Evaluation 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4710 - Economic and Social Contexts of Individuals and Families 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4740 - Advocacy and Public Policy for Individuals and Families Across the Lifespan 3 credit hours
- HSC 4101 - Internship: Child Development and Family Studies 6 credit hours *
- Minor 6 credit hours
- Elective 0-1 credit hour
Choose one from:
- CDFS 3300 - Caring Across Generations 4 credit hours
- CDFS 4391 - Aging Health and Development 3 credit hours *
- CDFS 4400 - Children in Healthcare Settings 3 credit hours
- CDFS 4720 - Family-Centered Community Building II 3 credit hours *
- HSC 4420 - Personal and Family Management 3 credit hours
- NFS 4210 - Nutrition in Aging 3 credit hours
- NFS 4251 - Nutrition for the Young Child 3 credit hours
Subtotal: 29-30 Hours
Note:
*CFLE courses - students must earn C- or higher for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) certification.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
With the opportunity to learn about the entire family—from human development to family dynamics—individuals who choose to major in Child Development and Family Studies find career opportunities in many settings. Students who choose to pursue the nationally approved program that allows them to become Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE) may find opportunities in family life education, social service agencies, daycare programs, crisis intervention programs, and senior citizen services. The demand for those with people-oriented skills is expected to increase in the coming years. Examples of career options include:
- Adoption and/or foster care worker
- Behavior modification specialist
- Child Development and family advocate
- Child care provider and administrator
- Child life specialist
- Crisis intervention service provider
- Early intervention specialist
- Eldercare advocate, service provider, or administrator
- Family and child caseworker
- Family and consumer sciences extension agent
- Family life educator
- Family resource and support center professional
- Social services director
- Youth counselor
English Language Requirements
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