Child and Family Studies

http://cfs.utk.edu

Mary Jane Moran, Interim Head

Professor Emeritus
Barber, B., PhD – Brigham Young
Blanton, P., EdD – Tennessee
Fox, G., PhD – Michigan
Nordquist, V. M., PhD – Tennessee
Twardosz, S., PhD – Kansas

Professors
Moran, M. J., PhD – New Hampshire
Stolz, H., PhD – Brigham Young

Associate Professors
Fouts, H., PhD – Washington State
Jaekel, J., PhD – Ruhr University Bochum
Johnson, E., PhD – Michigan
Madrid Akpovo, S., PhD – The Ohio State
Olmstead, S., PhD – Florida State
Rauer, A. J., PhD – Michigan
Smith, D., PhD – Oklahoma State

Assistant Professors
Djonko-Moore, C., PhD – Temple
Haselschwerdt, M., PhD – Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Quinn, M., PhD – Georgia State

Affiliated Associate Professor
Devereaux, M., PhD – Tennessee

Affiliated Assistant Professor
Wallace, H., PhD – Tennessee

Clinical Assistant Professors
Fitzgerald, K., PhD – Tennessee
Hunter, S., PhD – Tennessee

ECE Internship Coordinators
Adkins, J., MS, EdS – Tennessee, Lincoln Memorial
Stott, A. M., MS – Tennessee

Advising Coordinator for Community Outreach
Hunter, S., PhD – Tennessee

Early Learning Center, Director
Brookshire, R., PhD – Tennessee

Community Practicum Coordinator
Sams, J., PhD – Tennessee

The Department of Child and Family Studies prepares students to be effective family members as well as competent professionals with the knowledge and skills to help children, youth, and families face the difficult challenges of today’s complex society. As a professional, a graduate of the department understands the variety of contexts that impact children and families. Students are particularly prepared to work with children, youth, and families at risk, and to be sensitive to the many forms of diversity that characterize today’s families.

Students in the department complete an integrated curriculum that includes human and child development, family dynamics and interaction patterns, research skills, and interpersonal and professional skills needed in the workplace. The major course of study concludes with a field-based experience that enables students to hone practical skills and knowledge in a work setting consistent with their personal and professional goals. Core coursework is complemented with a range of elective options that will give students a broad, general education as well as specialized knowledge in areas of their choosing.

Graduates of the department are prepared to work with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and in diverse settings – in schools as early childhood educators, with agencies providing services to children and families, and with for-profit businesses. Many students continue their education with graduate study in a number of different fields (e.g., child and family studies, education, counseling, psychology, ministry, social work, and law).

Program Policies and Progression Requirements

The child and family studies major can provide the undergraduate preparation needed for a student who would like to be licensed to teach early childhood education in the State of Tennessee (PreK-3). The early childhood education licensure option is offered in conjunction with a master’s degree in child and family studies (early childhood education concentration). Upon attainment of junior status (i.e., 60 hours), students will complete the admission to teacher education process (see details in the teacher education section of this catalog) and simultaneously make application for admission to the MS with a major in child and family studies (see the Graduate Catalog for details). Acceptance into the teacher licensure program is contingent upon acceptance into the department’s master’s program. Students interested in this option should work closely with their advisor to ensure that they understand and meet the teacher education program requirements and the requirements for graduate study and that they strictly follow the application process.

uTrack Requirements (for students entering Fall 2013 or later)

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester known as milestones. Milestones may include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students who first entered Fall 2013 or later. uTrack does not apply to transfer students who enter prior to Fall 2015.

Progression Requirements

Students are expected to know the criteria they must meet in order to progress into a practicum (CFS 470 , CFS 472 , CFS 480 , or CFS 490 ) and to regularly monitor their progress in meeting these criteria. Students will not be allowed to progress into the practicum until these criteria are met. If students do not appear able to meet these criteria, they are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to plan an alternative educational program. Specific information on how to apply for the practicum is available from the Practicum Coordinator. Students must work closely with their advisor to ensure that they understand the requirements for progression and that they strictly follow the application process for the practicum experience of their choice.

Prior to the Practicum

Apply for the practicum by completing the application one year prior to the intended practicum semester.
Complete the self-disclosure forms allowing university personnel to obtain student conduct and criminal background information one year prior to the intended practicum semester. The department’s undergraduate committee will evaluate any negative background check.

Prerequisites for the Practicum

Completion of all prerequisites enforced by the registration system.
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (A cumulative GPA of at least 2.7, including transfer credits, is required for students electing the CFS 472 practicum option).
A minimum grade of C in all child and family studies courses.

Certified Family Life Educator

Students interested in applying for certification as a Family Life Educator through the National Council on Family Relations must complete five courses from the Family Life Education specialty area – CFS 240 , CFS 345 , CFS 360 , CFS 440 , and COUN 480 . These courses are in addition to the Child and Family Studies core courses. Contact your advisor for specific information about becoming a Certified Family Life Educator through the department’s approved program of study.

The required program of coursework for the Child and Family Studies Major, Community Outreach Track, meets the current eligibility requirements for certification as a “Certified Family Life Educator” (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations’ approved program mechanism. Students interested in applying for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator are encouraged to pursue the steps indicated at ncfr.org.

Early Development and Learning (PreK-K)

The child and family studies major provides the undergraduate preparation needed for a student who would like to be licensed to teach early development and learning (PreK-K) in the State of Tennessee. Upon completion of 60 undergraduate hours, including completion of CFS 350 , students will complete the admission process to the early development and learning (PreK-K) licensure program. Students interested in this licensure should work closely with their advisor to ensure that they understand and meet teacher education program requirements and that they strictly follow the application process.

Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure (PreK-3)

Service Learning Honors Program

Child and Family Studies majors have the opportunity to participate in the college’s Service Learning Honors Program. For eligibility and requirements, see Service Learning Honors Program .

Undergraduates

Graduate Students