Degree Programs > Courses for Early Childhood Education and Human Services Majors
Early Childhood Education: What Courses Do I Need to Take?
Course work in Early Childhood Education provides a strong background in child development, working with families, and early childhood curriculum.
The required courses for the ECE major for the 2007 - 2008 academic year are on the Early Childhood Education Planning Form.
You can also review the course listings in the current University catalog.
Many of the courses that a student takes satisfy general University and the College of Early Childhood Education, Education and Public Policy “breadth” requirements. The Breadth Requirements Form is a helpful guide for a student to determine which courses will satisfy Science, Social Science, and Humanities requirements.
Planning Forms are reviewed annually and updated for each incoming class. Once the student enters a particular HDFS major, that particular planning form will remain in effect.
Please note: A grade of C- or better must be earned in all IFST courses. A student failing to meet the minimum required grade of C- when taking a major course for the second time will not be permitted to remain in HDFS major requiring that course. The student may present a letter of appeal to his or her advisor who will forward the case to the appropriate screening committee.
FAQ's for Early Childhood Majors
Human Services: What Courses Do I Need to Take?
Course work in Human Services provides a strong background in child, family, and adult development as well as the structure and functioning of human services in the community, the delivery of services to children and families, and research, evaluation, and policy process.
The required courses for the Concentration in Clinical Services for the 2007 - 2008 academic year are on the Clinical Services Concentration Planning Form. The required courses for the Concentration in Administration and Family Policy for the academic year 2007 - 2008 are on the Administration and Family Policy Planning Form. A review of the course catalog can also be found online.
Many of the courses that a student takes satisfy general University and the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy “breadth” requirements. The Breadth Requirements Form is a helpful guide for a student to determine which courses will satisfy Science, Social Science, and Humanities requirements.
Planning Forms are reviewed annually and updated for each incoming class. Once the student enters a particular HDFS major, that particular planning form will remain in effect.
All HS Majors also take Restricted Electives (REs). These Restricted Electives are chosen to build a student's competencies in an Area of Emphasis. It is very important that students develop a fairly clear-cut professional objective or “Area of Emphasis” when selecting the REs. REs are decided upon with the assistance of an advisor. Please refer to the separate section below about Selecting an Area of Emphasis and Restricted Electives.
All HS students are required to successfully complete IFST 334 (Experiential Education).
Prior to taking IFST 334, students should identify a minimum of three (3) human service organizations as potential sites for completing the 50-hour service-learning placement component of IFST 334. Students are advised to go on-line as well as visit these sites in order to determine their suitability, based on student interest and area of emphasis. Students should be prepared to finalize their site selection within the first two weeks of the semester in which they are registered for IFST 334.
During the senior year, students with a Concentration in Clinical Services enroll in IFST 449 (10 credit hours), for which they engage in a full semester, 400 hour (minimum) field experience in a community setting. In addition, the student intern must enroll in IFST 465 (a two credit seminar related to the field experience). It is recommended that students take no other courses at this time or limit themselves to a maximum of one additional evening or distance learning course (with advisor's approval).
Students pursuing the Administration and Family Policy Concentration are encouraged to take Field Experience courses (IFST 364) (up to 9 credits) during their junior and senior years. These credits would count toward completion of a student's Restricted Electives. Also, students might instead elect to take the full semester internship and seminar (IFST 449 and IFST 465).
Please note: A grade of C- or better must be earned in all IFST courses and Restricted Electives. A student failing to meet the minimum required grade of C- when taking a major course for the second time will not be permitted to remain an HDFS major requiring that course. The student may present a letter of appeal to his or her advisor who will forward the case to the appropriate screening committee.
FAQ's for Human Services majors
