Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Undergraduate Programs


Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education - Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education degree program combines a basic education in child development and family studies with a broad general education and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings as early childhood teachers, home visitors, early interventionists, and administrators. The degree, appropriate for students interested in working with young children, ages birth to 8 years, leads to teacher certification for birth to kindergarten in the state of Michigan upon successful completion of the degree requirements and certification requirements of the state of Michigan.

Birth to Kindergarten with Special Education students may elect to add an additional endorsement in Pre-Kindergarten to Third Grade in their programs. Similarly, students in the Pre-Kindergarten to Third grade major may add a Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education endorsement to their programs. Both options lead to teacher certification, pending successful completion of course work and certification requirements.

Students may also pursue early admission into the Child Development master’s program while enrolled as undergraduates via its dual enrollment program (https://hdfs.msu.edu/dual-enrollment).

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education. 

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 321.  This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree with the exception of the Interdisciplinary Minor Requirement. 
  3. The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (53 credits):
CEP 240 Introduction to Exceptional Learners 3
CEP 351 Special Education Law and Policies 3
HDFS 211 Child Growth and Development 3
HDFS 320 Interaction with Children in Groups 3
HDFS 320L Interaction with Children – Laboratory 1
HDFS 321 Curriculum for Children (W) 3
HDFS 321L Curriculum for Children – Laboratory 1
HDFS 322 Infant Development and Program Planning 3
HDFS 322L Interaction and Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers - Laboratory 2
HDFS 421 Assessment of the Young Child 3
HDFS 424 Student Teaching in an Early Childhood Program 6
HDFS 449 Special Needs Children and Their Families 3
HDFS 449L Children with Special Needs and Their Families Laboratory 1
HDFS 473 Administration of Early Childhood Programs 3
TE 301A Children's Literacy Development PK-3 (W) 3
TE 330 Science Curriculum for Young Learners (PK-3) 3
TE 341 Teaching and Learning of (Bi)Multilingual Learners 3
TE 405A Teaching Literacy to Diverse Learners (PK-3) 3
TE 406A Teaching Mathematics to Diverse Learners I (PK-3) 3

Early Care and Education (this program is in moratorium effective Fall 2023 through Spring 2024)

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Care and Education, is a collaborative, multi-institutional limited enrollment program. This degree focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development of children. It includes planning and design of related human services and care/educational settings and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings. The program provides instruction in parent-child relations, parenting practices, special needs of children, parental and environmental influences on child development, caregiver-child interactions, external support services, and related public policy issues. Designed for active duty military, spouses, retired and Department of Defense employees, rural head start teachers and off-campus students, the program provides flexibility for working professionals who need to maintain employment while advancing their educational opportunity.

The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, Iowa State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, and Texas Tech University.

Students will earn this degree from their home institution while also enrolling for courses at other participating institutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures to the College of Social Science and the Early Care and Education major. Students must have a minimum of 30 credits applicable to the graduation requirements of the admitting institution with an earned minimum grade-point average of 2.5.

Michigan State University students should contact the Department of Human Development and Family Studies for guidance on the completion of this program.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Care and Education

  1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Care and Education.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Early Care and Education major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 406.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    1. All of the following courses which are taught online as part of the Great Plains IDEA Alliance (51 credits):
Child Development (ages 0-3)
Child Development (ages 4-8)
Professional Development in Early Care and Education
Child Guidance and Classroom Environments
Health, Safety and Nutrition in Early Care and Education
Practicum I: Child Observations in Classroom Environments
Development of Curriculum for Children (ages 0-3)
Development of Curriculum for Children (ages 4-8)
Assessment and Observations in Early Care and Education
Understanding and Adapting for Developmental Differences in Early Care and Education
Practicum II: Lesson Planning
Working with Families in Early Care and Education
Technology and Young Children
Diversity in the Lives of Young Children and Their Families
Administration and Supervision in Early Childhood Settings
Practicum III: Capstone Experience (W) [HDFS 406]

Students must have access to a high-quality preschool or head start classroom for their three practicum experiences.
 

Human Development and Family Studies - Bachelor of Arts

Graduates will be committed to improving the health and well-being of diverse individuals and families across the lifespan through research, teaching, and professional practice. Recognizing, understanding and addressing the central role of diversity and interdependence among families and communities is a core value of graduates. Students gain knowledge of basic research and the application of research to improving the lives of individuals in the context of the family, the community, and policy. Practical experience in real-world settings is incorporated into the degree program.  Students are prepared to work in community and governmental agencies and organizations that provide human services within changing societies and serve children, youth, and families. Upon graduation, students may apply for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator and with additional work experience they can earn full certification.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

  1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major.
                   
    a. All of the following courses (46 credits):
    HDFS 145

    The Individual, Marriage, and the Family

    3

    HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development in the Family

    3

    HDFS 270 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies

    4

    HDFS 345 Principles of Family Studies (W)

    3

    HDFS 414 Parenting

    3

    HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America

    3

    HDFS 444 Interpersonal Relationships in the Family

    3

    HDFS 445 Human Sexuality

    3

    HDFS 447 Management of Human Service Programs

    3

    HDFS 448 Child and Family Policy

    3

    HDFS 454 Family Financial Management

    3

    HDFS 472 Evaluation of Human Service Programs

    3

    HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in Human 3
    Development and Family Studies
    HDFS 493 Internship 6


Human Development and Family Studies - Bachelor of Science

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

  1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (46 credits):
    HDFS 145 The Individual, Couples and Families 3
    HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development in the Family 3
    HDFS 270 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies 4
    HDFS 345 Principles of Family Studies 3
    HDFS 414 Parenting 3
    HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America 3
    HDFS 444 Interpersonal Relationships in the Family 3
    HDFS 445 Human Sexuality 3
    HDFS 447 Management of Human Service Programs 3
    HDFS 448 Child and Family Policy 3
    HDFS 454 Family Resource Management 3
    HDFS 472 Evaluation of Human Service Programs 3
    HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in Human Development and Family Studies 3
    HDFS 493 Internship 6
  4. Complete 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses: Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for Bachelor of Science Degree. Courses used to fulfill the STEM requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirement.

    ANP 206 Introduction to Physical Anthropology 3
    ANTR  350 Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health Professionals 3
    BMB  200 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
    BS  161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    CEM  141 General Chemistry 4
    CEM  143 Survey of Organic Chemistry 3
    CEM  251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability 3
    ENT 205 Pests, Society and Environment 3
    EPI  390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
    GEO 203 Introduction to Meteorology 3
    GEO  206 Physical Geography 3
    HNF  150 Introduction to Human Nutrition 3
    LB  270 Medical Terminology 2
    MMG  201 Fundamentals of Microbiology 3
    MMG  301 Introductory Microbiology 3
    MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    NUR 300 Pathophysiology 4
    PHM  350 Introduction to Human Pharmacology 3
    PSL  250 Introductory Physiology 4
    PSL  310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
    STT  200 Statistical Methods 3

Minor in Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective

The Minor in Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective provides interdisciplinary knowledge from an ecological perspective, preparing students to manage, counsel, and work in a wide range of placements in human service, non-profit and for-profit sectors. The minor also prepares students to be more literate and capable personal money managers. 

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Social Science. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult their major undergraduate advisor in the College of Social Science.

Requirements for the Minor in Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective

Students must complete 15 credits from the following:

1. The following course (3 credits):
HDFS 238 Personal Finance 3
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
GEO 113 Introduction to Economic Geography 3
HRLR 316 Economics of Human Capital 3
SOC 214 Social Inequality 3
SOC 475 Health and Society 3
UP 458 Housing and Real Estate Development 3
3. Two of the following courses (6 or 7 credits):
AFRE 265 Ecological Economics 3
BUS 291 Special Topics: Introduction to Business 3
CAS 114 Creativity and Innovative Entrepreneurship 3
CEP 460 Communication Skill Training for the Helping Professional 3
CSUS 433 Grant Writing and Fund Development 3
ESHP 190 The Art of Starting 3
HST 413 Families in Historical Perspective 3
MGT 325 Management Skills and Processes 3
PHL 345 Business Ethics 4
REL 185 Introduction to Religion and Nonprofits 3
WS 339 Psychology of Women 3
4. The following capstone course (3 credits):
HDFS 438 Applied Resource Management Practicum 3