Child and Family Development

Coordinator: Dr. Suzanne Lamorey, Associate Professor

Graduate Faculty

Deana Deason, Lecturer
Bonnie Keilty, Assistant Professor
Suzanne Lamorey, Associate Professor
Lyn Rhoden, Associate Professor
Pamela Shue, Assistant Professor
JaneDiane Smith, Associate Professor
Jo Ann Springs, Clinical Assistant Professor


MASTER OF EDUCATION

The M.Ed. in Child and Family Studies:  Early Education prepares professionals for leadership positions that serve young children and their families.  It is conveniently designed for prospective students already working full-time in professional settings who wish to pursue an advanced degree on a part-time basis and for those who wish to pursue a degree on a full-time basis.  Students specialize in one of four areas of study:  classroom teaching, family studies, special needs/special education, administration/supervision, OR an individually planned option.  The graduate degree program is for professionals who teach in infant, toddler, and preschool and kindergarten settings; who administer preschool and family agency programs that have a child development and family relations focus; who work as consultants, parent educators, program coordinators, supervisors, and staff development trainers; or who seek research and evaluation expertise in child and family studies and community leadership in child and family programs.  Graduates will qualify for the Master's Level “advanced competencies” Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Teaching License issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction upon completion of the program.


GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING

The Graduate Certificate in Teaching leads to the initial teaching license, called the Standard Professional I license.  It involves 18 to 27 hours, depending upon whether the candidate already holds a teaching license in another field.  Candidates with a valid teaching license in Special Education or Elementary Education will follow the 18-hour curriculum; all other students will follow the 27-hour curriculum.  With coursework in assessment, development, family theory, literacy, numeracy, and special needs of young children and their families, candidates in this program will be prepared to work in a variety of educational and community-based centers and agencies.  These settings serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners with and without disabilities as well as their families.  All courses are offered in the evenings or on Saturdays or online.  For candidates without a teaching license in special education or elementary education, the final course in the program is a full time student teaching experience in an approved educational setting.  For candidates who are accepted into the M.Ed. in Child and Family Studies at a later point in time, all graduate coursework in this program will apply.  However, all requirements for the M.Ed. must be completed within a six year window. 

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT:  SPECIAL NEEDS 

The Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Development:  Special Needs is a 12-hour program that addresses professional development needs of various personnel in settings such as hospitals, social service agencies, and administrative positions.  The program is designed for those who want to augment their knowledge and skills in working with young children with special needs and their families.  Course content includes current issues in early intervention, service models for young children with disabilities, appropriate assessment, and building more inclusive environments for young children with disabilities.  This program does not lead to the recommendation for a teaching license.  For candidates who are accepted into the M.Ed. in Child and Family Studies at a later point in time, all graduate coursework in this program will apply.  However, all requirements for the M.Ed. must be completed within a six year window.

MAJOR IN CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: BACHELOR OF ARTS

The Child and Family Development program leading to the B.A. degree prepares graduates to work in educational and related settings that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners from diverse backgrounds, with and without disabilities, and their families.  Graduates are prepared to receive an entry-level (“A”) professional teaching license in birth-kindergarten (B-K) and have the required educational credits toward the Infant, Toddler and Family Specialist Certificate.  Admission to and retention in the Child and Family Development major requires a GPA of at least 2.5 and a passing score on the Praxis I.  Admission to student teaching requires a GPA of at least 2.5 overall and 2.75 in the major courses.

Program Objectives.   Graduates of the program are prepared through an interdisciplinary approach to:  apply their understanding of the various stages of growth and development in young children with and without disabilities and the unique patterns through which children progress through these stages, and the ecological factors that influence development including the family and culture; collect data on children’s individual development and effectively access and utilize screening and assessment procedures for children with linguistic and ability differences; design, adapt, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning environments, curricula, and play interactions for children from birth through age eight; work collaboratively with families and with interdisciplinary teams from agencies that serve young children and their families; and demonstrate positive attitudes and professional ethics toward diverse children and families and a strong commitment to continuous lifelong advocacy for the well being of young children.  


MINOR IN CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Students who have a GPA of 2.5 or better may elect a minor in Child and Family Development.  A minor requires 18 semester hours:  CHFD 2111, CHFD 2113, CHFD 2115, CHFD 3115, and six semester hours of child and family development elective courses.