Child and Family Studies, B.A.

Child and Family Studies Mission Statement
The mission of the Child and Family Studies program is to provide students with purposeful theoretical and practical experiences which will prepare them to work with children, adolescents, and adults in all stages of life in diverse settings, including human and social services organizations. This course of study is offered within the School of Education and is grounded in relevant education-based coursework supplemented by interdisciplinary studies intrinsic to the Westminster Plan and the Intellectual Perspectives of the College.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to identify, analyze, articulate and demonstrate the skills, attitudes and values necessary for working in the chosen Child and Family Studies specialty (e.g Young Children and Family Education Specialist, Social Service Organizations Educator, Educator of At-Risk Youth and Families).
2. Students will be able to synthesize theories from psychology, sociology and educational research.
3. Students will be able to recognize diverse social and cultural contexts as related to the field experience component of the Child and Family Studies major and reflect on its impact on student self-awareness and self-perspective.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate ethical conduct and apply legal principles commensurate with the Child and Family Studies major.

The Child and Family Studies program prepares students for careers in an array of human services professions across the lifespan, which include but not limited to; early childhood programs, school social work, parenting education, and family life. It provides students with purposeful theoretical and practical experiences in relevant education-based coursework paired with courses in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice studies. The program is offered in the School of Education. It will prepare candidates to work with children, adolescents, and adults in all stages of life in diverse settings, including human and social services organizations. The coursework is aligned to the National Council on Family Relations www.ncfr.org standards and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) www.education.pa requirements for School Social Worker Standards, National Association for the Education of Young Children https://www.naeyc.org, and Council of Exceptional Children https://www.cec.sped.org.

Child and Family Studies majors are inspired to customize a career path with established course requirements focused on special areas of need in the community at the local, national, and international levels. The major includes personalized field training, community service, independent research, and supervised projects.