Human Services - Early Childhood Development Concentration (BS)

Program Educational Goals

Students who successfully complete the Early Childhood Development Concentration will be able to:
1. Employ theoretical knowledge and practical skills to meet the needs of individuals and
families in a variety of community settings.
2. Conduct or utilize family studies research.
3. Describe a variety of prevention, intervention, and policy approaches in human services.
4. Describe and plan approaches to work with families and policymakers to alleviate and
cope with complex social problems in a variety of contexts.
5. Apply research, theory, and best practices in early childhood to address the needs of
children and their families.

Four Year Plan

Please refer to the Four-Year Plan for departmental recommended path toward graduation.

University Requirements:

ENGL 110 - First-Year Writing (C- minimum)
First Year Seminar (FYS) (0-4 credits)
Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) (three credits)
Multicultural Requirement (three credits)
University Breadth Requirements (C- minimum):
- Creative Arts and Humanities (three credits)
- History and Cultural Change (three credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (three credits)
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (three credits)
Capstone Experience

Major Requirements:

Some University requirements may be met by your major requirements.

Additional Breadth Requirements:

Three-credit English course
Three-credit Creative Arts and Humanities (could satisfy the University’s requirement) or four-credit Foreign Language course (if the University Creative Arts and Humanities requirement is satisfied by the second ENGL course)
Four-credit Math, Natural Science and Technology course (with lab)
MATH 114 or higher

PSYC 100 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 201 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3 (PSYC 100 and/or SOCI 201 could fulfill the University’s Social and Behavioral Science requirement)

One of the following:

MATH 201 - Introduction to Statistical Methods I Credit(s): 3
MATH 205 - Statistical Methods Credit(s): 4
MATH 252 - Mathematics for K-8 Teachers: Rational Numbers and Probability Credit(s): 3
PSYC 209 - Measurement and Statistics Credit(s): 3 (for Psychology majors/minors only)
STAT 200 - Basic Statistical Practice Credit(s): 3

Human Services Core:

A minimum grade of C- or better is required for all major requirements and restricted electives. A student failing to meet the minimum required grade of C- when taking a major course for the second time may not be permitted to remain in an HDFS major requiring that course. Students may appeal this decision.

HDFS 201 - Life Span Development Credit(s): 3
HDFS 202 - Diversity and Families Credit(s): 3
HDFS 230 - Families and Their Communities Credit(s): 3
HDFS 235 - Introduction to Human Services Credit(s): 3
HDFS 328 - Introduction to the Research Process Credit(s): 3
HDFS 347 - Program Development and Evaluation Credit(s): 3
HDFS 402 - Child and Family Policy Credit(s): 3
HDFS 422 - Capstone in Family Relationships Credit(s): 3
HDFS 470 - Families and Children at Risk Credit(s): 3

Families, Policy and Practice Elective:

One of the following:

HDFS 270 - Families and Developmental Disabilities Credit(s): 3
HDFS 331 - Positive Youth Development Credit(s): 3
HDFS 409 - Domestic Violence Services Credit(s): 3
HDFS 428 - Diversity and Inclusion in Human Relations Credit(s): 3
HDFS 472 - Substance Use Disorders and the Family Credit(s): 3
WOMS 408 - Advocacy, Community, and Practice in Domestic Violence Services Credit(s): 3

Early Childhood Development Core:

A minimum grade of C- is required

EDUC 230 - Introduction to Exceptional Children Credit(s): 3
HDFS 221 - Child Development II: 3 to 10 Credit(s): 3
HDFS 222 - Inclusive Curriculum & Assessment: Birth - Grade 2 Credit(s): 3
HDFS 224 - Practicum in Inclusive Curriculum & Assessment: Birth - Grade 2 Credit(s): 3
HDFS 436 - Practicum I in Early Childhood Development Credit(s): 4

Restricted Electives Focus Areas:

21 credits from one option below, or other course(s) approved by an advisor:

Option A: Early Care and Education

EDUC 210 - Beginning Literacy Instruction Credit(s): 3
EDUC 258 - Cultural Diversity, Schooling and the Teacher Credit(s): 3
HDFS 355 - Professional Issues in ECDE Credit(s): 3
HDFS 406 - Supporting Literacy in Early Childhood Education Credit(s): 3
HDFS 411 - Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment: Infants and Toddlers Credit(s): 3
HDFS 412 - Early Childhood Inclusive Math Curriculum and Assessment Credit(s): 3
HDFS 414 - Guidance and Behavior Support: Birth to Grade 2 Credit(s): 3
HDFS 427 - Parenting Through the Lifespan Credit(s): 3
HDFS 431 - Field Experience: Infants and Toddlers Credit(s): 1
HDFS 432 - Field Experience: Preschool - Kindergarten Credit(s): 2
HDFS 435 - Programs for Children with Exceptionalities Credit(s): 3
HDFS 437 - Practicum II in Early Childhood Development Credit(s): 4 (can be concurrent with HDFS 436)

Option B: Early Intervention

EDUC 258 - Cultural Diversity, Schooling and the Teacher Credit(s): 3
HDFS 318 - Introduction to Social Work Education and Services Credit(s): 3
HDFS 330 - Mentor & Helping Relationships Credit(s): 3
HDFS 427 - Parenting Through the Lifespan Credit(s): 3
HDFS 411 - Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment: Infants and Toddlers Credit(s): 3
HDFS 414 - Guidance and Behavior Support: Birth to Grade 2 Credit(s): 3
HDFS 431 - Field Experience: Infants and Toddlers Credit(s): 1
HDFS 435 - Programs for Children with Exceptionalities Credit(s): 3
HDFS 437 - Practicum II in Early Childhood Development Credit(s): 4 (can be concurrent with HDFS 436)
LING 101 - Introduction to Linguistics I Credit(s): 3
LING 444 - First Language Development Credit(s): 3
SOCI 348 - Theories of Social Work Practice Credit(s): 3

Electives:

After required courses are completed, sufficient elective credits must be taken to meet the minimum credits required for the degree.

Only four credits of Music ensemble and four credits of 100 and 200-level courses in Military Science/Army ROTC may be counted toward the degree.)

Human Services - Early Childhood Development Concentration (BS)

Program Educational Goals

Four Year Plan

University Requirements:

Major Requirements:

Additional Breadth Requirements:

One of the following:

Human Services Core:

Families, Policy and Practice Elective:

Early Childhood Development Core:

Restricted Electives Focus Areas:

Option A: Early Care and Education

Option B: Early Intervention

Electives:

Credits to Total a Minimum of 120

Last Revised for 2023-2024 Academic Year