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Department of Family Studies &

Community Development

Undergraduate Majors

MAJOR IN FAMILY STUDIES

Majors in Family Studies complete 57-73 units of course work depending on the track of study the student selects. Students complete 39-40 units in the core curriculum. For each track, they complete additional track-specific courses and electives. Core requirements include a sequence of focused community courses including: FMST 297 Preparation; FMST 387 Preparation and Participation; FMST 397 Internship-Preparation, Participation and Integration; and FMST 490 Integration. The units of internship requirements are specified by each track. Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA or better in all courses required for the major and must meet Towson University requirements for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Prerequisites for Courses in the Major

The following courses are prerequisites for courses required in the major. The 100-level courses should be taken early in the student's academic studies, and PSYC 212 must be taken prior to FMST 485.

Family Life Educator Certification

Completion of the core course work above prepares the student for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator (CFLE). A student may become fully certified by completing two years of family life work experience following graduation. The CFLE credential is administered through the National Council on Family Relations.

NEW and REVISED TRACKS

Family and Human Services Track (25 - 27 units)
Required Course (6 units)
PSYC 205            Introduction to the Helping Relationship (3)

FMST 350            Fundamentals of Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector (3)

Required Electives (12 units)
Electives shall be selected from the following content areas: Psychology, Sociology, Health Science, Education, Gerontology, and Women's Studies. Students are encouraged to take a course in small-group dynamics and gerontology. One elective course (3 units) must be at the 300 level or above. Minors in Gerontology, Sociology, and Psychology can be completed with minimal or no additional course work.  Electives must be approved by a Family Studies Advisor or the Department Chairperson. 

Internships         (360 hours)  (7-9 units)
FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (3) repeated three

                              times (360 hours) (9 units)

OR

FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (120 hours) (3)

AND

FMST 497            Advanced Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (240

                              hours) (4)

Services to Children Track (24 units)
Required Course (3 units)
ECED 201            Intervention and the Young Child (3)

Required Electives (18 units)
Electives shall be selected from the following content areas: Education, Psychology, Sociology, and Health Science. Three elective courses (9 units) must be at the 300 level or above.  Electives must be approved by a department advisor. 

Internship (3 units)
FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (120 hours) (3)

Child Life Track (31-33 units)

Required Courses (15 units)

EDEC 201            Intervention and the Young Child (3)

OCTH 213            Small Group Dynamics (3)

                                or

PSYC 431            Group Dymanics (3)

PSYC 205            Introduction to the Helping Relationship (3)

FMST 340            The Hospitalized Child and Family (3)

GERO 367           Sociology of Death, Dying and Bereavement (3)

Required Child and Adolescent Development Courses (9 units)

ECED 315           Infant Intervention (3)

PSYC 403            Infant and Child Development (3)

PSYC 404            Adolescent Psychology (3)

Internships         (360 hours) (7-9 units)

FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (360 hours) (9)

OR

FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (120 hours) (3)

AND

FMST 497            Advanced Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (240

   hours) (4)

The following Courses are recommended for students completing academic preparation fo ChildLife Specialist

OCTH 216 instead of PSYC 203 (core course for major)
OCTH 213 although PSYC 431 will be accepted
Additional courses: OCTH 217 or OCTH 218 Analysis of Occupational Performance I or II as an additional elective to meet content areas specified by the Child Life Council.  FMST 350 Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector (pending final approval by the UCC Fall 2006).

Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector Track (28 units)

Required Courses (21 units)

ECON 205          Statistics for Business and Economics (3)*

MCOM 253          Principals of Strategic Public Relations and Integrated Communication (3)

FMST 350            Fundamentals of Leadership in the Non-Profit Sector (3)

CLST 303            Identity and Culture (3)

MKTG 341           Principles of Marketing (3)

MNGT 361           Principles of Management (3)

Elective:  Approved by advisor. (Recommended disciplines: MNGT, MCOM, MKTG) (3)

Internships (360 hours) (7 units)

FMST 397            Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (3)

FMST 497            Advanced Internship in Family Studies and Community Development (4)

• Program for students enrolled prior to Fall 2005