The Program

The Child Development/Elementary Education option is a collaborative effort between NDSU and Valley City State University.

The Curriculum

Classes are offered on the NDSU campus, students are concurrently enrolled in both NDSU and Valley City State Uuniversity, culminating a bachelor's degree from NDSU in child development and family science (child development option) as well as a bachelor's degree from VCSU in elementary education.

Students are certified to teach elementary education in public schools and may, with additional coursework and an additional student teaching experience, be certified to teach kindergarten as well.

The CDFS degree complements and strengthens the elementary education curriculum and helps future teachers understand development and its diversity, making them more effective teachers and helping them work with children from a variety of backgrounds.

Field Experience

Each of the undergraduate options also includes a credit in field experience as a critical part of their program of study. All students are given the opportunity to work in a professional placement during their undergraduate program. This requirement enables students to apply their course work to a professional position as they prepare to move into important careers children, youth, adolescents, older adults and families in various settings.

The Facilities

Facilities for the Department of Human Development and Family Science are housed in the Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall and the Family Life Center. Included in these buildings are classrooms, conference rooms and a child development laboratory serving young children and their families. The laboratory provides day care services for infants, toddlers and preschool children and is used as a training facility for CDFS students. Children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years are enrolled in the center. The equipment in the center is appropriate for young children and for children with special needs. The department also has a Family Therapy Center which provides services to couples and families.

Community Setting

The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area offers a conducive setting for study. Students have the opportunity to work in a number of community institutions serving children and families. Professionals working with the elderly, child care programs, mental health centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, medical facilities and welfare agencies visit classes and conduct tours to explain their programs for children and families.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

Students may enhance their involvement in the CDFS area by participating in groups such as the HDFS Club, the North Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children, and the North Dakota Family and Consumer Sciences Association.