Child and Family Studies (CFS) Graduate Course Descriptions
CFS 505. Selected Topics in Child and Family Studies.
Current issues, child/family programs, teaching methods. May be repeated to a maximum of four credits. 1-4 credits DEMAND.
CFS 506. Early Literacy in Inclusionary Settings.
Language and literacy development (including English as a second language) in the preschool years. Creating and evaluating developmentally appropriate literacy rich environments for children with diverse needs. 2.75 GPA requirement. 3 credits F, S.
CFS 513. Guidance of Young Children.
Guidance approach for young children. Managing the classroom and daily routines. Using effective communication. Positive alternate solutions to guide young children. Crisis management techniques including working with children with special needs. 3 credits F, S.
CFS 515. Foundation of Parent/Family Education.
Introduction to the history, philosophy and program models for parent/family education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Family Education in Minnesota. Diverse family systems and needs for parent education are considered. Professional and ethical behaviors are outlined. 3 credits F.
CFS 521. Development of Young Children.
Typical and atypical development of children, ages three through 10. Application of theories of development, observation skills, and understanding of the influence of early experiences for early childhood practices. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 522. Families: Theories and Strategies.
In-depth analysis of diverse family systems. Theories of family development. Developing communication skills and partnership strategies. Values and attitudes and their impact on working with families. Family stress, coping and resources. Families with challenges. Levels of parent involvement. Analyzing current issues and their impact on families. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 524. Administration of Early Education.
This course is designed to give students skills necessary to direct and operate programs in early childhood education. Current legislation is studied. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 526. Play as a Learning Medium.
How young children learn through play, environments of play, play theory, the development of play, play curriculum. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 560. Early Education Student Teaching.
Supervised student teaching in early childhood settings. X grading option. Prereq.: College of Education CORE courses and admittance to Teacher Education. GPA requirement of 2.75. 3-10 credits F, S.
CFS 561. Pre-professional Seminar.
For student teachers. Professional ethics and standards, development of a personal education philosophy, professional goals and competencies, contemporary issues. Prereq.: College of Education CORE courses and admittance to Teacher Education. 1 credit DEMAND.
Child and Family Studies (CFS) Courses for Graduate Students Only
CFS 605. Issues and Topics in Early Childhood and Family Studies.
A variable content course design to address specialized areas of study related to early childhood education, child development, parent education, parenting practices, legislation, child advocacy or other topics which are of current concern to faculty and/or students. 1-4 credits DEMAND.
CFS 608. Developmental Screening and Assessment.
Philosophies, procedures and appropriate practices in the screening and assessment of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Hands-on experience in conducting assessments of young children for referral/eligibility for special education. Interpretation of results for intervention. 3 credits F.
CFS 611. Foundation of Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (EC/ECSE).
Overview of early childhood and early childhood special education including history, philosophies, legal requirements and models of serving young children. Development of professional e-folio based on professional competence for teachers. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 621. Research Methods: Child/Family.
A seminar focusing on child development and research and current issues for students working on M.S. projects. An overview of the research process and strategies for completing thesis and starred papers. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 622. Advanced Family Studies/Student Research.
Seminar focusing on family studies and research and current issues for students working on MN projects. An overview of the research process and strategies for completing a thesis and starred papers. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 623. Analysis of Early Education.
Evaluation, planning, designing learning environment, equipment/facilities, teaching roles, socialization of children in early childhood education. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 625. Methods of Parent and Family Education.
Overview of various methods and curricula used in the field of parent and family education. Review and evaluation of existing programs and curricula. Development and adoption of parent and family education curricula for specific populations. Coreq.: 665. 2 credits S.
CFS 626. Working with Families in Special Circumstances.
Consideration for working with families experiencing stress due to poverty, racism, limited literacy, disabilities and family violence. Family strengths approach and role of parent/family education in addressing difficult family circumstances. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 627. Home Visiting.
Home visiting is explored as a strategy for offering educational services to parents and young children. Different goals, communities and cultural contexts. Specific skills needed to implement this strategy are addressed. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 631. Development of Infants and Toddlers.
Study of development prenatally to two years, typical and atypical. Analysis of the impact of family, community, culture and society upon development. Examination of ethical issues associated with this period of development. 3 credits S.
CFS 632. Analysis of Families with Children with Disabilities.
Analysis of diverse family systems, communication, teaming, stress and coping. Critical analysis of family needs, concerns and priorities. 3 credits F.
CFS 633. Methods: Young Children with Disabilities.
Develop curriculum based on assessment data, children's goals, objectives and best practices. Understand inclusion and strategies for implementation. Designing and evaluating environments. Utilizing activity based instruction, adaptation strategies and curricula free from bias. Using a language based curricula with rich literacy activities. Incorporating multisensory activities, music, movement, art, technology and other content areas throughout the curriculum for children 3-5 years. 3 credits S.
CFS 635. Parenthood and Adult Development.
Stages of parenthood and interface with adult development. Application of adult learning theories to parent education settings. 2 credits SUM.
CFS 636. Fathers in Parent Education.
Exploration of the changing roles of fatherhood. Gender as a factor in relation to goals of parent education, styles of discipline, communications styles, and parent roles. Adapting programs to meet the needs of fathers in various family settings. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 643. Methods: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.
Teaching strategies for infants and toddlers with disabilities/delays including appropriate handling, positioning and feeding related to disabilities and/or special health concerns. Linking assessment information to the development of appropriate goals/objectives and interventions. Working as a member of an interdisciplinary team/development of IIIPs/Home visiting. 3 credits F.
CFS 645. Working with Parents in Groups.
In-depth analysis of group dynamics and effective group skills in parent education. Theories of group process and approaches to leadership. Communication within groups. 3 credits SUM.
CFS 646. Advanced Group Skills in Parent Education.
Advanced skills for working with parents at different levels of involvement. Adaptation of communication and consultation parent education skills for use with individual parents and groups in parent education. Prereq.: 645. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 653. Early Childhood Methods: Reading, Math, Science (5-8 years).
Understand how reading, writing, math and science are learned and taught. Methods to adapt and modify these curricular areas for students with disabilities in inclusionary settings. Teaching functional use of these four areas and integrating them into play and thematic units. 3 credits DEMAND.
CFS 654. Parent Education with Parents of 5-10 year olds.
Methods and resources for designing parent education for parents of five to 10 year olds. Emphasis on ways to guide development, support a child's learning and reinforce a family's values system. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 655. Parent Education with Parents of 10-15 year olds.
Methods of working with parents of 10 to 15 year olds. An emphasis on understanding development, communication techniques and monitoring activities. 2 credits DEMAND.
CFS 661. Practicum in Development of Young Children.
Field experience involving aspects of observation, assessment, participation with and planning for infants and toddlers. May be repeated to a maximum of two credits. Coreq.: 521. 1 credit DEMAND.
CFS 665. Parent Education Practicum.
Field experiences observing parent education settings. Analysis and development of parent education methods and resources. Coreq.: 625. 1 credit S.
CFS 666. Parent Education Group Practicum.
Field experiences observing parent groups in a variety of parent and family education settings. Analysis of group process and situations. Coreq.: 645. 1 credit DEMAND.
CFS 674. Field Experiences or Research in Administration and Facilitation of Early Childhood.
Opportunity to participate in a variety of administrative roles in early childhood programs. A practicum for students which will provide an experience as an administrator or coordinator of early childhood programs. 1-4 credits DEMAND.
CFS 675. Parent Education Student Teaching.
Supervised student teaching in parent/family education programs with parent groups. Students also participate in a concurrent seminar with peers. 3 credits F, S.
CFS 680. ECSE Infant Student Teaching.
Supervised student teaching in ECSE infant/toddler programs. X-grading option. 2-4 credits F, S.
CFS 681. ECSE Preschool Student Teaching.
Supervised student teaching in ECSE preschool programs. X-grading option. 2-4 credits F, S.
CFS 682. ECSE K-Primary Student Teaching.
Supervised student teaching in ECSE K-Primary inclusionary programs. Student teaching seminars. X-grading option. 2-4 credits DEMAND.
CFS 699. Master's Thesis.
6 credits DEMAND.
