Academic Programs Catalog

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:

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

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

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: