Bachelor of Science in Child Development

Website: https://twu.edu/human-development-family-studies-counseling/undergraduate-programs/child-development/

The Child Development program prepares students for a variety of professional roles focused on serving the needs of children and their families. Potential roles include parent education, teaching young children, administration of children’s programs, public and private agencies focused on children and families, early childhood intervention, child advocacy, and other roles requiring similar knowledge and skills.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Design developmentally appropriate activities for children.
  2. Developmental assessment skills​.
  3. Written communication skills​.
  4. Interpersonal skills​.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120   

Major: 64 SCH

Program Code: CHLDEV.BS   CIP Code: 19.0706.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

Lower Level Courses
HDFS 1001Seminar in Family Sciences (Take first or second semester)1
HDFS 1513Human Development3
HDFS 2503Development of Infants and Toddlers3
HDFS 2513Early Childhood Development3
HDFS 2563Childhood Guidance3
Choice of 5 additional HDFS or ECE courses15
Upper Level Courses
HDFS 3423Play and Development in Early Childhood3
HDFS 3513Childhood and Adolescence3
HDFS 3523The Care and Education of Children: A Global Perspective3
HDFS 3533Research Methods in Family Sciences3
HDFS 4923Professional Development in Family Sciences (Grade of "B" or higher required)3
HDFS 4943Practicum in Family Sciences (Last semester. Grade of "B" or higher required)3
Select 6 courses from the following list:18
Separation and Loss
Crisis in the American Family
Issues and Trends in Family Sciences
Communication and the Family
Developmental Sexuality
Parenting Issues and Education
Public Policy: Family Sciences Perspectives
Children's Rights and Services
Culturally Competent Practice
Juvenile Delinquency
Total SCHs64

Electives

Electives14
Total SCHs14

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: The First Year Experience EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
MATH 1013Financial and Quantitative Literacy MATH 13323
HDFS 1513Human Development 3
Elective2
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HDFS 1001Seminar in Family Sciences (Must take in 1st or 2nd semester) 1
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
Wellness/Mathematics CAO Core2
HDFS 2503Development of Infants and Toddlers 3
HDFS Lower Level Choice3
 SCHs 15
Second Year
FallTCCN
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core3
Life/Physical Science Core3
HDFS 2513Early Childhood Development TECA 13543
HDFS Lower Level Choice3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Life/Physical Science Core3
HDFS 2563Childhood Guidance 3
HDFS/ECE Lower Level Choice3
HDFS/ECE Lower Level Choice3
 SCHs 15
Third Year
FallTCCN
Social & Behavioral Science Core3
Creative Arts Core3
HDFS/ECE Lower Level Choice3
HDFS 3423Play and Development in Early Childhood 3
HDFS 3613Crisis in the American Family 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HDFS 3533Research Methods in Family Sciences 3
HDFS 3513Childhood and Adolescence 3
HDFS 3523The Care and Education of Children: A Global Perspective 3
Multicultural Women's Studies CAO Core3
Elective3
 SCHs 15
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
HDFS 4533Communication and the Family 3
HDFS 4923Professional Development in Family Sciences 3
SOWK 3453Children's Rights and Services 3
Electives6
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HDFS 3323Separation and Loss 3
HDFS 4803Public Policy: Family Sciences Perspectives 3
HDFS 4583Parenting Issues and Education 3
HDFS 4943Practicum in Family Sciences 3
Elective3
 SCHs 15
 Total SCHs:  120

*Please note that this plan of study does not include summer semesters. Students can take fewer courses during fall and spring if they opt to take courses during the summer.