The Family Science option allows students to take a concentration of courses in human development, family science or family economics in preparation for careers in direct and support services for families. Each option offers the flexibility of a generalist program, but students may choose to focus on an area of specialization as well.

The Program

The major emphasis in CDFS programs is family and human development over the life span. Students gain an understanding of the development of children and adults and their interaction in the family and society. Students majoring in CDFS have two options: child development or family science

Courses include:

• Adolescent Development
• Adult Development and Aging
• Child Development
• Children and Families Across Cultures
• Children, Families and Public Policy
• Introduction to Family Studies
• Issues in Human Sexuality
• Life Span Human Development
• Parent-Child Relations
• Risk, Resilience and Competence in Couples and Families

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.

Career Opportunities

Career directions through CDFS can be divided into two general areas:

• Direct Service to Children and Families -- community service worker, outreach worker, parent educator, gerontology outreach, extension agent, financial counselor, child life specialist.
• Support Service to Children and Families -- program director for nursing or retirement facility, child care director, community and human service worker, consultant in human development, hospital-related services, researcher, child advocate, family life education.

Some of the careers listed above require a planned minor or a double major. Other careers require preparations beyond the bachelor's level. A CDFS degree is excellent preparation for students considering graduate work in counseling, family therapy or child and human development. Study in CDFS provides supportive course work for students interested in careers involving human relations.

Graduates from CDFS are currently employed in a variety of careers. These include: extension agent, Head Start program director, day care director, home visitor for Head Start, crisis family counselor, hospital child life specialist, family life educator, developmental disabilities worker, volunteer coordinator, parent support specialist, parent educator, financial counselor and financial planner.

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 HDFS 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.

Sample Curriculum Family Science Option

First Year Credits
CDFS 135	Family Science	3
CDFS 230	Life Span Development	3
Comm 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
Engl. 110, 120	College Composition I, II	6
HD&E 189	Skills for Academic Success	1
Psyc. 111	Introduction to Psychology	3
CDFS Core		3
Elective		6
TOTALS		28
Second Year Credits
CSci 114	Microcomputer Packages
CSci 116	Business Use of Computers	3-4
Soc. 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
CDFS Core		3
CDFS Electives		12
Humanities & Fine Arts Elective		3
Quantitative Reasonings Elective		4
Science and Technology Elective and Lab		4
TOTALS		34-35

Curriculum total for the four years must equal a
minimum of 122 credits.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Minor Options

• Although a minor is not required, students interested in pursuing careers in financial services or consumer advocacy are encouraged to pursue a business administration minor.
• A minor in psychology is helpful to better understand individual behavior.
• A minor in sociology is useful to better understand the interaction of the family system with larger
• social systems.
• A wellness minor is important for a holistic understanding of ways to improve all aspects of well-being.
• Students who desire an understanding of gender issues will benefit from taking the women's studies minor.
• A gerontology minor prepares students to work with aging individuals and their families on issues such as retirement, long-term care, and estate planning.
• A communications minor is appropriate for students desiring to develop written or visual materials and do presentations focused on family issues.

Students should consult with a departmental advisor to develop a plan of study to include the minor(s) he or she is interested in. Students will need to pick up the guidelines on course requirements for a given minor from that department. For example, a handout listing the requirements for a business administration minor is available from the business department.

Graduate Work

With additional education, students can pursue careers in family law, marriage and family therapy, counseling, research and program evaluation, public policy assessment, or university faculty positions. Students interested in attending graduate school are encouraged to take the Statistics 330 course.

Possible Certifications

Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE): The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) certifies family life educators with course work and/or experience in family life education. Some of the advantages of this certification include increased credibility and networking with other family life educators nationally and locally. Applicants for certification must provide documentation of academic preparation, professional development, or work experience in the following ten substance areas:

• Families in society
• Internal dynamics of families
• Human growth and development
• Human sexuality
• Interpersonal relationships
• Family resource management
• Parent education and guidance
• Family law and public policy
• Ethics
• Family life education and methodology

CFLE application packets are available at a cost of $5.00 from:

National Council on Family Relations
3989 Central Ave. N.E., Suite 550
Minneapolis, MN 55421

(phone)- 612-781-9331
(fax) - 612-781-9348
e-mail - ncfr3989@ad.com