Undergraduate Course Catalog 2010-2011
College of Health and Human Services
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Family Studies (FS)
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Chairperson: Elizabeth M. Dolan
Associate Professor: Elizabeth M. Dolan, Barbara R. Frankel, Michael F. Kalinowski, Kerry Kazura, John W. Nimmo, Corinna Jenkins Tucker
Assistant Professor: Dora Wu Chen, Erin Hiley Sharp
Clinical Associate Professor: Mark Moses
Extension Educators: Charlotte W. Cross, Paula J. Gregory, Suzann E. Knight
Extension Associate Professor: Malcolm L. Smith
The department’s mission is to support the well-being of individuals and families through research, teaching, and service. Programs emphasize both theoretical and practical knowledge about lifespan development, the social and economic roles of families, child advocacy, teacher and parent education, and intervention programs that support families. The department is committed to acknowledging and supporting diversity, to providing an educational environment that stresses excellence and innovation, and to developing exemplary programs to serve both students and the larger community.
Students learn about families through integration of developmental, theoretical, and empirical information. The department offers a B.S. degree in family studies. Each student selects from one of the four specializations, each offering unique opportunities. Students prepare for positions in family service organizations, educational settings and programs, corporations, and government agencies. Each specialization has entry-level criteria and specific course requirements. All require close consultation with a faculty adviser. Any changes or updates are posted on our Web site.
The preschool/third grade teaching certification and the certified family life educator programs are highly structured and may have limited enrollment. Acceptance to these programs and to internships and practica is restricted to students demonstrating exceptional potential for working with children and families.
Child Advocacy & Family Policy
Child Advocacy and Family Policy Specialization
This specialization focuses on analyzing and solving problems related to children and their families, with a primary emphasis on unmet needs. The goal is for students to complete their degree with a detailed understanding of human development, family relations, educational and government initiatives and regulations, cultural differences, statistics, politics, and effective communication strategies. The specialization is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as advocates or policy generalists, or to pursue a graduate degree.
Department Requirements
FS 525, Human Development
FS 545, Family Relations
FS 553, Personal and Family Finance for Family Life Educators, or FS 653, Family Economics
FS 623, Development Perspectives on Infancy and Early Childhood, or FS 624, Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence and Early Adulthood
FS 641, Parenting Across the Lifespan, or FS 743, Families, Schools and Community, or FS 760, Family Programs and Policies
FS 746, Human Sexuality or FS 757, Race, Class, Gender and Families
FS 772, Child Advocacy
FS 773, International Perspectives on Families and Young Children
FS 794, Families and the Law
FS 712, 714, Internship
Supporting Courses
ENGL 503, ENGL 502, or CMN 456; CSL 201, CSL 202, CSL 204, or CSL 208 and CSL 209; SW 705 or PSYC 581; EDUC 500, EDUC 507, or FS 635; elective approved by adviser.
Senior Capstone Courses
FS 712, FS 714 Internship
To de deleted
| Course Number | Title | Credits | Fall | Spring |
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Family Support / CFLE
Family Support/Provisional Certification Family Life Education
This specialization is for students interested in working with children, adolescents, and adults either as individuals or as families. Students develop knowledge and skills to prepare them to provide family support, direct services, and family life education. This specialization prepares students to work in human service settings. Students may choose a plan of study leading to a provisional certification as a family life educator.
The National Council on Family Relations has approved the Department of Family Studies undergraduate program as meeting the standards and criteria required for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Certified family life educators work in a variety of settings including social services, health services, child care, family support, youth programs, parent education, junior and senior high schools, and universities and colleges. The designation recognizes expertise in a broad range of issues that constitute family life education and increases credibility by validating the individual’s education and experience.
Department Courses
FS 525, Human Development*
FS 545, Family Relations*
FS 641, Parenting Across the Life Span*
FS 746, Human Sexuality*
FS 757, Race, Class and Gender*
FS 760, Family Programs and Policies*
FS 794, Families and the Law*
FS 553, Personal and Family Finance for Family Life Professionals*, or FS 653, Family Economics*
FS 623, Developmental Perspectives on Infancy and Early Childhood, or FS 624, Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence and Early Adulthood
FS 772, International Approaches to Child Advocacy, or FS 773, International Perspectives on Children and Families
Students accepted into the CFLE Program must also take:
FS 782, Family Internship*
FS 792, Seminar for Family Interns*
Supporting Courses
Gerontology Minor: Research Methods course (e.g., PSYC 502)
NURS 535; PSYC 552, 582; SOC 525, 540, 675; SW 524, 525, 697A, 697B, 697C; CMN 530 or PSYC 762.
Senior Capstone Courses
FS 782, Family Internship or FS 757, Race Class and Gender
*These courses are required for the Certified Family Life Educator designation.
Individual & Family Development
Individual and Family Development Specialization
This specialization is for students with a broad interest in working with families. This specialization provides knowledge about specific life stages of individuals within the context of family systems with a focus on system dynamics, diverse family systems, gender, and cultural differences. This plan of study is designed particularly for those expecting to attend graduate school and those who desire a general background in lifespan development and family dynamics.
Department Requirements
FS 525, Human Development
FS 545, Family Relations
FS 623, Developmental Perspectives on Infancy and Early Childhood
FS 624, Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence and Early Adulthood
FS 641, Parenting Across the Lifespan
FS 653, Family Economics
FS 746, Human Sexuality
FS 757, Race, Class and Gender
FS 794, Families and the Law
Supporting Courses
FS 760, Family Programs and Policies
FS 782, Family Internship
FS 792, Family Internship Seminar
Research Methods course (e.g., PSYC 502, Research Methods in Psychology)
PSYC 552, 581, 582
NURS 535
SOC 540
A foreign language
Work with the Institute on Disability
Senior Capstone Course
FS 757 Race, Class Gender and Families
Young Child
Young Child Specialization
This concentration is for those who have a broad interest in working with young children ranging in age from birth to age eight. This specialization has four major foci: child development, teaching methodology and curriculum development, developmentally appropriate learning environments for young children, and home-school-community relations.
Department Requirements
FS 525, Human Development
FS 545, Family Relations
FS 623, Developmental Perspectives on Infancy and Early Childhood
FS 635, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings
FS 708-709, Advanced Child Development Internship
FS 733, Supervising Programs for Young Children
FS 734, Curriculum for Young Children
FS 743, Families, Schools and Community
FS 771, Observation and Assessment
Supporting Courses
EDUC 500 (may substitute FS 708 or FS 709 if not planning to apply to P-3); THDA 622; PSYC 581; KIN 600 or 675; MATH 601 or EDUC 741 ; FS 760, 772, 773, 794, 797 (Families in Poverty); EDUC 706, 703M and 703F, 733, 734, 750, 751, 760.
Senior Capstone Course
FS 771, Observation and Assessment
Young Child: Preschool - Third Grade Certification
Young Child : Preschool-Third Grade Teaching Certification
The Early Childhood Education (P-3) Teacher Certification Program prepares students for a career in teaching young children. Course work for this program is designed to maximize in-classroom mentorship and to provide a broad range of exposure across the preschool to 3rd grade levels. However, student teaching will be in preschool and kindergarten settings. This competitive program within the Young Child Specialization in the Family Studies Department is approved by the New Hampshire State Board of Education. Reciprocity of the P-3 certification with other states varies. Students interested in teaching in others states should contact each state directly.
This program requires 76 credits of pre-approved departmental and supporting course work. Requirements and instructions for the application process for this program are detailed below. Students who wish to be considered for the P-3 Teacher Certification Program must indicate their interest at the time of application to the major so that an appropriate plan of study can be arranged.
Application requirements
Juniors in the Young Child Specialization who have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 2.8 and a departmental GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. Please note that this is a competitive program with limited enrollment. Those accepted into the program must maintain this level of achievement throughout the program . Students must be prepared to have their own transportation for off-campus placements as needed. Applications are available through the Family Studies departmental website, and are due by February 15 of each year. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Young Child faculty. Admission decisions will be made by mid March. Provisional admission may be given to those who have not yet taken and passed the PRAXIS I tests at the time of application in mid February. Final admission will be given pending the submission of passing PRAXIS I test scores by the last day of final exams at the end of the junior year (see additional certification information below).
P-3 Program Requirements (48 Family Studies and 28 supporting course credits)
Core Foundation Courses
FS 525 Human Development
FS 545 Family Relations
FS 623 Developmental Perspectives on Infancy and Early Childhood
FS 635 Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings (56 classroom hours)
FS 708/709 Child Development Internship at CSDC (140 classroom hours)
FS 734 Curriculum for Young Children
FS 733 Supervising Programs for Young Children
FS 743 Families, Schools, and Community
FS 771 Observation and Assessment of Young Children
Required P-3 Senior Year Internship Courses (12 credits)
The final phase of the P-3 Certification Program is comprised of three courses including a culminating student teaching experience. Students are expected to follow the vacation schedule of their placement site and not the UNH Spring Break vacation schedule.
FS 785 Seminar for Student Teachers – Fall Semester
FS 786 Seminar for Student Teachers – Spring Semester
FS 788 Student Teaching of Young Children – Spring Semester
Other Required Courses for P-3 Certification (28 credits)
These courses are subject to change to meet state certification requirements in subsequent years.
KIN 675 Motor Development and Learning (or KIN 600)
THDA 522 Storytelling (or THDA 583)
EDUC 500 Exploring Teaching (w/ placement in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade)
EDUC 741 Exploring Mathematics with Young Children (OR MATH 601 Exploring Math for Teachers)
EDUC 706 Introduction to Reading in the Elementary School (w/ practicum in a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade)
EDUC 760 Introduction to Young Children with Special Needs
EDUC 703M Teaching Elementary School Social Studies (w/ focus on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade on assignments)
EDUC 703F Teaching Elementary School Science (w/ focus on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade on assignments)
Senior Capstone Course
FS 788, Student Teaching of Young Children
A Note About Obtaining State Teacher Certification
Provisionally admitted P-3 teacher candidates are expected to submit passing PRAXIS I test scores by the last day of the UNH Spring final exams of their junior year. All P-3 program teacher candidates are expected to take the PRAXIS II for ECE CONTENT prior to graduation. PLEASE NOTE that without the required set of passing PRAXIS I and II test scores, although students may graduate from UNH with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and have completed the P-3 coursework along with all student teaching requirements, they will not be eligible to apply for the New Hampshire State P-3 Teaching Certificate. This is a State of NH requirement; not a condition for graduation from UNH. Information on the PRAXIS Tests is available on www.ets.org/praxis.
In order to fulfill a teaching contract with a public school district, a prospective teacher must be certified by the state in which he/she is to be employed. Certification by the state is not an automatic event upon graduation and must be initiated by the teacher candidate. If certification by the State of New Hampshire is desired, P-3 teacher candidates must complete and mail in the necessary forms which will be given to them at the end of the successful student teaching experience by the UNH Certification Officer. Issuance of a teaching certificate in many states is based upon the specific certificate received in the home state. If application is not made in a timely manner upon graduation, the teacher candidate is subject to any new requirements in place at the time of application.
P-3 Internship Course Descriptions
FS 785 is a fall semester seminar-based course intended to prepare students, as teacher candidates, for the student teaching experience in the spring semester. This course emphasizes students’ continued development as learners, researchers, and collaborators. Discussions and projects focus on the ways in which these three roles are developed within the classroom and school community. Students meet as a cohort in weekly/bi-weekly seminars on campus. Students should expect to spend a minimum of three hours per week in their assigned classroom (42+ hours) and become first aid/CPR certified. Other expectations for this course include, but not limited to, preparing a resumé, observing at other sites, attending professional conferences, starting a professional portfolio to document their achievement of professional teaching standards, and completing additional assignments and readings.
FS 786 and 788 provide the capstone student teaching experience in the spring semester of the senior year. Students should expect to spend a minimum of twenty-four hours per week (a minimum of 300 hours total) in their assigned classrooms, gradually assuming increasing teaching responsibilities, culminating in the assumption of two to three lead-teaching weeks. Additional hours outside of actual classroom/program operation hours are expected for meeting and planning with cooperating teachers, preparing for teaching, and attending parent conferences and other school functions, as well as attending professional conferences. Seminars provide continued opportunity for reflection on students’ development as teacher candidates, reflecting on classroom practices, identifying teaching strengths and weaknesses, and planning for their first professional appointment as teachers of young learners. Students should be prepared to meet weekly or bi-weekly on campus after school hours, and to complete and present their professional portfolio to faculty and related professionals in the field.
Family Internship
Family Internships
Available to students in the Family Support or Individual & Family Development Specializations
Internship students will apply knowledge gained from their academic studies in a supervised environment. The internship involves a commitment of fifteen hours per week for two semesters, plus a three-hour seminar every other week. A current listing of internship sites is available in the departmental office.
Students apply for the internship during the spring semester of their junior year. Internship applicants must have completed 20 credits of departmental coursework prior to their senior year with a minimum overall grade-point average of 3.0 and a departmental grade-point average of 3.2 or higher. Internship requirements vary depending on specialization. Internship courses will count toward the 20 credits required in supporting courses.
Minor - Child Life
Child Life Minor
The interdisciplinary minor is offered by the Department of Family Studies and the therapeutic recreation option in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy. Upon completion of course requirements, students will be able to sit for the child life specialist exam.
Family studies majors are required to take three core courses: RMP 502, FS 525, and FS 623. FS students will select two courses from the following: RMP 501, RMP 503, RMP 504, RMP 603, RMP 604. Students will complete an internship that will entail a minimum of 480 hours of experience and be supervised by a certified child life specialist. Family studies majors will be assigned a minor adviser from therapeutic recreation.
Minor - Adolescence
Adolescence Minor
The Departments of Family Studies and Recreation Management and Policy, offer a minor in adolescent and youth development. The minor is designed to provide students an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills regarding adolescence and youth development.
Required courses offer a foundation in theory, research, and practice for all minors. Students select three additional courses from a wide array of more specialized offerings from collaborating departments. In order that students may be assisted in developing a cohesive plan of study for their minor, a simple application process will be used. Only students who have submitted an application, been accepted into the minor, and have completed the required course work will be identified as having achieved a minor in adolescent and youth development.
Students will select two courses from: FS 624, Developmental Perspectives on Adolescence and Early Adulthood; FS 750, Contemporary Issues in Adolescent Development; RMP 668, Youth Culture and Programs. Students will select three electives from: EDUC 710c, Youth Organizations; EDUC 797, Seminar in Early Adolescent Development; EDUC 717, Growing Up Male in America; EDUC 735, Young Adult Literature; FS 797, Adolescent Males and Violence; KIN 565, Principles of Coaching; RMP 558, Program Supervision and Leadership; RMP 560, Recreational Sport Management; RMP 730, Camp Administration and Leadership; RMP 760, Community Sport Organizations: Administration and Development; SOC 525, Juvenile Crime and Delinquency; SOC 773, Sociology of Childhood; RMP 563 or FS 707, Practicum; EDUC 507, Mentoring Adolescents.
Minor - Family Studies
Family Studies Minor
The department offers a minor to interested students in related majors. Minor requirements include FS 525, FS 545, and three additional courses chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser. Individual course grades must be C or above and the overall grade-point average for the 20 credits must be at least 2.0. Students desiring a minor in family studies are advised to consult with the departmental administrative manager as early as possible.
Major Requirements
Major Requirements
Core courses required of each family studies major are: FS 525, Human Development, and FS 545, Family Relations.
A minimum of nine family studies courses is required, at least two of which must be at the 700 level.
Each family studies specialization has its own senior capstone experience incorporated into the program.
Twenty credits of supporting coursework are selected in consultation with the adviser. These courses must be 500 level or above and must include at least 12 credits in courses outside the department.
Each specialization has required or recommended supporting courses. Some departmental specializations may specify general education courses because they enhance the plan of study.
Family studies majors are required to complete an undergraduate statistics course.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each family studies specialization.
