The Child and Family Studies emphasis has two complementary
focuses. First, the program provides major with the opportunity
to study the psychosocial development of children from infancy
to late adolescence. The Department's Child Development Center
provides an excellent opportunity for our students to observe
and study young children under professional supervision. Second,
the program focuses on the study and understanding of the family
in its many dimensions, including the traditional nuclear family
and the many variants of the concept of family that are evolving
in contemporary society. The opportunity to study the family
in such areas as evolving gender roles, the relationship between
the family and the economy, child care and childrearing, and
the family in other cultures and across time are provided through
electives. The Department encourages students to gain experience
through an internship and has placed students in a variety of
family-and child-centered professional settings. The philosophy
of the Human Ecology Department is that the study of family
life and children should lead to fuller understanding of oneself
and one's family. This understanding is not only personally
enriching but helps students become objective, thoughtful professionals,
sensitive to individuals differences, the unique dynamics of
families and the emerging multicultural context in which Americans
will live in the near future.
To be competitive in today's challenging job market, students
are encouraged to develop computer and statistical skills. Some
careers require an advanced degree and the Child Development
and Family Studies Program has an excellent record of helping
our graduates obtain admission to graduate programs in the social
sciences and education, as well as law and business schools.
