Professional Studies, Child Development and Family Studies, (B.P.S.)

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The Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies focuses on recognizing and enhancing important developmental milestones for children from birth through adolescence. Students will learn how to create effective learning environments to promote children’s healthy development as well as assist parents in creating positive relationships and environments for the development of their children. In addition, students study the stages of development from infancy through adolescence and the ways that family, culture, peers, and schools influence the growth of children. Students will also explore the importance of advocacy for children and their families whether it be in the classroom, hospital, or justice system.

The B.P.S. with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies courses are designed to reflect professional standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). These standards are critical indicators of program quality.

In addition to core courses based on early childhood development, these guidelines contain course work designed to develop skills and knowledge of the historical, social, cultural, and educational contexts of the field.

This program DOES NOT lead to teacher licensure. Students interested in gaining a teaching license should contact the College of Education at 678-2728 or visit their website at: http://www.memphis.edu/tep/.

General Education (35-41 hours)

See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement; otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.

Coordinated Study (48 hours)

Many upper-division (3000/4000-level) courses have prerequisites that must be met prior to being permitted to register for those courses. You are responsible for knowing and satisfying all course prerequisites. Some (not all) prerequisites are listed below. For specific information about courses and the prerequisites they may have, please view course descriptions at: Course Descriptions

Many courses also require permits from the department that teaches the course. For example, SWRK and CJUS courses will always need permits from those respective departments. College of Professional & Liberal Studies staff cannot issue permits for courses taught in other departments. ALL 3000/4000 level classes taught by the College of Business (ACCT, ECON, FIR, MGMT, MKTG) require a permit; students must request a permit online at: https://fcbeacad.memphis.edu/permits/

Child Development & Family Studies Core (21 hours)

CDFS 2100 - Intro Fld of Chld Dev & Fam St Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 2101 - Family/Global Perspective ** Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3401 - Parent Child Relations Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4220 - Understand Chldn/Behv/Guide Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4223 - Home/School/Comm Engage Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4910 - Ethics in Early Care and Learning Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 2111 - Development Across Lifespan Credit Hours: (3)

Family and Society (3 hours)

ANTH 3511 - Culture/Kin/Family Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 4034 - Children Soc Relationships Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 3422 - Racial/Ethnc Minorities ** Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 3432 - Sociology of Gender ** Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 4442 - Sociology of Poverty Credit Hours: (3)

Counseling (3 hours)

COMM 4341 - Interpersonal Communication ** Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4611 - Intro to Counseling Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4621 - Human Interactions Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4781 - Strategy/Crisis Intervention Credit Hours: (3)
COUN 4783 - Alcohol/Drug Abuse Services Credit Hours: (3)

Historical Context (3 hours)

ANTH 3282 - American Communities ** Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 3881 - African American History ** Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 4831 - History American Family ** Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 4851 - History of Women in America ** Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 4853 - African American Women Credit Hours: (3)
HIST 4863 - History/Childhood in America ** Credit Hours: (3)

Social Services and Public Policy (6 hours)

PADM 3601 - Public Admin** Credit Hours: (3)
PADM 4226 - Intro Nonprofit Organizations Credit Hours: (3)
POLS 3213 - Intro to Public Policy ** Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 3010 - Soc Response to Human Need Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 3902 - Human Behavior/Soc Envrnmnt Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 4934 - Child Welfare Policy/Services Credit Hours: (3)
All SWRK courses require permit from the department.

Educational Context (9 hours)

ART 3411 - Art for Children Credit Hours: (3)
AUSP 4006 - Language & Speech Development Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3420 - Play-Based Assessment for Young Children (0-4) Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4101 - Int Curr for Early Learners Credit Hours: (3)
ENGL 3401 - Children’s Literature Credit Hours: (3)
HLSC 3306 - Elementary School Health and Wellness Credit Hours: (2)
SPED 2000 - Foundation/Exceptional Learn Credit Hours: (3)

Internship (3 hours)

UNIV 4110 - Internship** Credit Hours: (3-6)

College Requirements (9 hours)

Thematic Studies (6 hours)

College of Professional & Liberal Studies thematic studies course(s) are designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of significant themes in social, political, and religious history. Review a complete list of courses: https://www.memphis.edu/cpls/resources/thematic_studies.php

Senior Project (3 hours)

The senior project is a student’s culminating experience or capstone designed to synthesize and integrate the content of a student’s program of study. The senior project is intended to fuse the two or more academic areas that comprise the student’s coordinated study (major) into an academically-relevant example of scholarship. Students will complete a thesis, task-based, or artistic project on a topic of their choice with approval of their senior project instructor. The senior project is completed during a student’s final semester. Students will be assigned to a specific section based on their concentration.

UNIV 4995 - Senior Project** Credit Hours: (3) (completed during the final semester)

General Electives (22-28 hours)

Electives will be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120 with a minimum of 42 upper-division hours.