Child and Family Development

Major(s)

Child and Family Development (Comprehensive)

Bachelor of Science

Admission Requirements for the Child Life Option

The Child and Family Development Child Life Option has a selective admission policy. Child Life Option students must complete and meet the following application requirements. Students will write a one page essay describing their interest in a career to become a Child Life Specialist and the role of a Child Life Specialist. Students must have a 3.00 cumulative GPA, 100 hours of verified volunteer experience in a hospital setting, two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the hospital volunteer site. Applications for the Child Life Option must be submitted to the Childhood Education and Family Studies Department office during the semester prior to junior year by February 1. As this is a competitive program, admission is not guaranteed.

Transfer students must also apply for admission for the Child Life Option. Transfer students must meet with a Child Life advisor to determine when they are eligible to complete the application and essay. All students must adhere to the deadlines stated above.

The application and resume will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the Department Head. Criteria for selection will be based on GPA, written essay, two letters of recommendation and verified volunteer hours. Students will be notified of the decision in writing by March 31. Students who are not accepted into the program may reapply in the following semester.

Major requirements (60-80 hours)

Note: 10 hours may double count toward the General Education requirements.

Major core (39 hours):
  1. Specific General Education requirements (10 hours double count): BIO 100(4), or BIO 101(3) and 111(1); CFD 155(3); PSY 121(3).
  2. CFD 110(3), 150(1), 160(3), 163(3), 305(3), 366(1), 466(6), 557(3), 562(3), 563(3).
  3. Public Affairs Capstone Experience will be fulfilled by completion of CFD 466(6).
  4. With approval of advisor, complete support electives to bring total hours in degree to a minimum of 120: Child Development option (18 hours), Family Studies option (17 hours), Youth Development option (22 hours).
  5. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development are required to attain a grade of C or better in each CFD course or any required course for the options required for graduation.
Complete one of the following options:
Child Development (25 hours):

CFD 250(3), 255(3), 260(4), 301(3), 360(5), 455(4), 560(3).

Child Life (41 hours):

CFD 260(4), 301(3), 306(3), 353(3), 354(4), 454(3), 455(4), 499(3), 510(3), 560(3), 580(3); IPE 599(3); LLT 102(2).

Family Studies (25 hours):

CFD 250(3), 361(3); 306(3) or 365(3); 532(3), 533(4), 534(3), 560(3); FCS 373(3).

Youth Development (21 hours):

CFD 250(3), 260(4), 301(3), 360(5), 505(3), 560(3).

University level requirements

  1. General Education Program and Requirements
  2. General Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Minor(s)

Child and Family Development

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Social Work
  1. Six hours from the following, with approval of a CFD advisor: CFD 155(3), 160(3), 163(3).
  2. 12 additional hours from any CFD course or FCS 373(3) with approval of a CFD advisor to bring total to at least 18 hours.

Accelerated graduate program in Child Life Studies

Eligible Missouri State Child and Family Development/Child Life option students may apply for admission to the Child Life Studies program and begin taking graduate course work as they complete the work for a bachelor’s degree. A maximum of 12 hours of graduate credit may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree (Mixed Credit). Refer to the Graduate Catalog for specific admission requirements.

Refer to Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Classes for additional information and procedures for obtaining permission for Mixed Credit.

Accelerated graduate program in Early Childhood and Family Development

Eligible Missouri State undergraduate students may apply for admission to the Early Childhood and Family Development program and begin taking graduate course work as they complete the work for a bachelor’s degree. A maximum of 10 hours of graduate credit may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree (Mixed Credit). Refer to the Graduate Catalog for specific admission requirements.

Refer to Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Classes for additional information and procedures for obtaining permission for Mixed Credit.