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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Graduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Child and Family Studies Graduate Programs (CFS)Education Building

Offered through the Department of Child and Family Studies
in the College of Education
B109 Education Building
Phone: 320.308.2132
Fax: 320.308.0908
E-mail: cfs@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/cfs/

Department Chairperson: Dr. Glen Palm
Department Secretary: Ms. Kelli Schreiner
Graduate Coordinator:  Dr. Glen Palm
Graduate Faculty: Gilman, Minnema, Ofstedal, Own, Palm, Zarghami

Specific Track Advisers:
Early Childhood Special Education: Dr. Cheri Gilman, Dr. Jane Minnema
Family Studies: Dr. Glen Palm
Early Education: Dr. Glen Palm

Child and Family Studies Degree Options Offered

Length of M.S. program — measured by semesters

  • Part-time student: six semesters taking six credits per semester.
  • Full-time student: three semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
  • The CFS program is designed for both full-time and part-time students. Most courses are offering in the evening with a limited offering of weekend classes and ITV classes.
  • The graduate summer school offerings typically include courses applicable to teaching licensure and professional development. During the academic school year licensure courses are scheduled on weekends and evenings.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistants are involved in research, occasional teaching, provide administrative support, and help with advising, publicity, and computer work.

Master of Science — Child and Family Studies:
Early Childhood Special Education

Early childhood special education is a degree that has been jointly developed with the special education department. This degree is for persons who would like to assume teaching positions in programs for young children who have disabilities or in programs working with parents of children with disabilities.

Accreditation Specific to this Program:

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Plan A, students complete thesis: 32 credits

Plan B, students complete starred papers: 36 credits

 

Research courses
Plan A, 6-9 credits; Plan B, 3-9 credits  

  • ED 615. Introduction to Research, 3 credits
  • CFS 621. Research Methods: Child/Family, 3 credits
  • CFS 622. Advanced Studies of Parents and Families, 3 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits
  • CFS 699. Thesis (Plan A only), 6 credits

Core courses
Plan A, 18 credits; Plan B, 21 credits

  • CFS 505. Selected Topics in Child and Family, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 506. Early Literacy in Inclusionary Settings, 3 credits
  • CFS 513. Guidance of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 515. Foundations of Parent/Family Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 521. Development of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 522. Families: Theories and Strategies, 3 credits
  • CFS 560. Student Teaching: Prekindergarten, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 605. Issues and Topics in Early Childhood, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 608. Developmental Screening and Assessment, 3 credits
  • CFS 611. Foundations of Early Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 623. Analysis of Early Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 625. Methods of Parent/Family Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 626. Working with Families with Special Circumstances, 2 credits
  • CFS 627. Home Visiting, 2 credits
  • CFS 631. Development of Infants and Toddlers, 3 credits
  • CFS 632. Analysis of Families with Children with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 633. Methods: Young Children with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 635. Parenthood and Adult Development, 2 credits
  • CFS 636. Fathers in Parent Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 643. Methods: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 645. Working with Parents in Group, 2 credits
  • CFS 653. Methods: EC Methods: Reading, Math, Science, 3 credits
  • CFS 661. Practicum in Development of Young Children, 1 credit

Special needs specialization block courses
Plan A, 8 credits; Plan B, 12 credits

  • SPED 503. Foundations I, 3 credits
  • SPED 505. Classroom and Behavior Management, 3 credits
  • SPED 647. Developmental Disabilities: Methods. 3 credits
  • ED 620. Characteristics of Students with Physical, Health and Developmental Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 680. ECSE Infant /Toddler Student Teaching, 2 credits
  • CFS 681. ECSE Preschool Student Teaching, 2 credits
  • CFS 682. ECSE K-Primary Student Teaching, 2 credits

Additional courses may be needed for teaching licensure, contact your adviser.

NOTE: A minimum of half of a graduate program’s credits must be at the 600 level.

Master of Science — Child and Family Studies:
Family Studies

Family studies is a degree for early childhood family education teachers and other graduate students seeking a family emphasis.

Plan A, students complete thesis: 32 credits
Plan B, students complete starred papers: 36 credits

 

Research courses
Plan A, 6-9 credits; Plan B, 3-9 credits

  • ED 615. Introduction to Research, 3 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits
  • CFS 621. Research Methods: Child/Family, 3 credits
  • CFS 622. Advanced Studies of Parents and Families, 3 credits
  • CFS 699. Thesis (Plan A only), 6 credits
  • Choose from equivalent courses with the adviser’s approval.

Core courses
Plan A, 18 credits; Plan B, 21 credits

  • CFS 505. Selected Topics in Child and Family, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 515. Foundations of Parent/Family Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 521. Development of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 522. Families: Theories and Strategies, 3 credits
  • CFS 605. Issues and Topics in Early Childhood, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 625. Parent Education Methods, 2 credits
  • CFS 631. Development of Infants and Toddlers, 3 credits
  • CFS 635. Parenthood and Adult Development, 2 credits
  • CFS 645. Working with Parents in Group, 2 credits
  • CFS 661. Practicum in Development of Young Children, 1 credit
  • CFS 665. Parent Education Methods Practicum, 1 credit
  • CFS 666. Parent Education Group Practicum, 1 credit
  • CFS 675. Parent Education Student Teaching, 3 credits

Family studies specialization block
Plan A, 8 credits; Plan B, 12 credits

  • CFS 626. Working with Families with Special Circumstances, 2 credits
  • CFS 627. Home Visiting, 2 credits
  • CFS 632. Analysis of Families with Children with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 636. Fathers in Parent Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 646. Adv. Group Skills in Parent Ed., 2 credits
  • CFS 654. Parent Education with Parents of 5-10 year olds, 2 credits
  • CFS 655. Parent Education with Parents of 10-15 year olds, 2 credits

Additional courses may be used for this block with permission of the adviser. Additional courses may be needed for teaching licensure, contact your adviser.

NOTE: A minimum of half of a graduate program’s credits must be at the 600 level.

Master of Science — Child and Family Studies:
Early Education

Early education is a degree that is primarily for those persons who would like to gain advanced knowledge and skills about curriculum, methods and materials, and teaching/learning styles specifically pertaining to young children.

Accreditation Specific to this Program

  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Plan A, Students complete a thesis: 32 credits
Plan B, Students complete a starred papers: 36 credits

 

Research courses
Plan A, 6-9 credits; Plan B, 3-9 credits

Choose from the following courses or equivalent with adviser's approval:

  • ED 615. Introduction to Research, 3 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits
  • CFS 621. Research Methods: Child/Family, 3 credits
  • CFS 699. Thesis (Plan A only), 6 credits

Core courses
Plan A, 18 credits; Plan B, 21 credits

  • CFS 513. Guidance of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 521. Development of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 522. Families: Theories and Strategies, 3 credits
  • CFS 560. Student Teaching: Prekindergarten, 1-4 credits
  • CFS 611. Foundations of Early Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 623. Analysis of Early Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 626. Working with Families with Special Circumstances, 2 credits
  • CFS 627. Home Visiting, 2 credits
  • CFS 633. Methods: Young Children with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 636. Fathers in Parent Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 653. Early Childhood Methods: Reading, Math, Science (5-8 years), 3 credits
  • CFS 661. Practicum in Development of Young Children, 1 credit

Early education specialization block
Plan A, 8 credits; Plan B, 12 credits

  • CFS 506. Early Literacy in Inclusionary Settings, 3 credits
  • CFS 515. Foundations of Parent/Family Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 625. Methods of Parent/Family Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 635. Parenthood and Adult Development, 2 credits
  • CFS 643. Methods: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 645. Working with Parents in Group, 2 credits
  • CFS 653. Methods: EC Methods: Reading, Math, Science, 3 credits
  • CDS 560. Language Developments, 3 credits

Additional courses may be needed for teaching licensure, contact the adviser.  

NOTE: A minimum of half of a graduate program’s credits must be at the 600 level.

Fifth-Year Certificate Program — Child and Family Studies

Students who wish to pursue a teacher licensure program in CFS at the graduate level but who do not wish to pursue a master's degree, should apply to the School of Graduate Studies for admission to the CFS fifth-year program.

After admission to the fifth-year program, the department will review your previous course work and experience to determine which licensure requirements you may already have met. When this departmental review is complete, you will complete a licensure plan of study. A GPA of 2.75 or higher must be maintained for successful completion of the fifth-year certificate program.

Graduate Teacher Licensure

Accreditations to Licensure Programs

  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • Minnesota Board of Teaching

Courses are available that lead to eligibility for licensure in early childhood special education and parent education. It is possible to combine course work and to receive more than one license. It is the students’ responsibility to consult with the child and family studies department and state licensing agencies for current licensing requirements.

Students who wish to pursue licensure but who do not intend to complete a master's degree must complete an application to the School of Graduate Studies for the fifth-year program. Students seeking admission to the fifth-year certificate program should follow the application procedures listed in the graduate bulletin.

Early Childhood Special Education Licensure

Foundations

  • CFS 611. Foundations of Early Education, 3 credits

Development

  • CFS 521. Development of Young Children, 3 credits
  • CFS 631. Development of Infants and Toddlers, 3 credits
  • CDS 560. Language Development, 3 credits

Methods

  • CFS 633. Methods: Young Children with Disabilities, 3 credits
  • CFS 643. Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, 3 credits

Family

  • CFS 632. Analysis of Families with Children with Disabilities, 3 credits

Special Needs

  • CFS 608. Developmental Screening and Assessment, 3 credit
  • SPED 505. Behavior Theories and Practices in Special Education, 3 credits
  • SPED 520. Characteristics of Students with Physical, Health and Developmental Disabilities, 3 credits

Student Teaching

  • CFS 680. Infant/Toddler Student Teaching, 2-4 credits
  • CFS 681. Preschool Student Teaching, 2-4 credits
  • CFS 682. K-Primary Student Teaching, 2 credits

Parent Education Graduate Teacher Licensure

Child Development

  • CFS 521. Development of Young Child, 3 credits
  • CFS 631. Development of Infants/Toddlers, 3 credits

Family Development

  • CFS 515. Foundations of Parent/Family Education, 3 credits
  • CFS 522. Families: Theories and Strategies, 3 credits

Parent Education Methods

  • CFS 625. Parent Education Methods, 2 credits
  • CFS 665. Parent Education Methods Practicum, 1 credit
  • CFS 635. Parenthood and Adult Development, 2 credits
  • CFS 645. Working with Parents in Groups, 2 credits
  • CFS 666. Parent Education Group Practicum, 1 credit

Parent Education Electives
6 credits

Previous course work in education, child psychology or family studuies may be accepted to meet this licensure requirement. Consult with the advisor to determine which courses can be counted as electives.

  • CFS 626. Working with Families in Special Circumstances, 2 credits
  • CFS 627. Home Visiting, 2 credits
  • CFS 632. Analysis of Families with Children with Disabilities, 2 credits
  • CFS 636. Fathers in Parent Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 646. Advanced Group Skills in Parent Education, 2 credits
  • CFS 654. Parent Education with Parents of 5-10 year olds, 2, credits
  • CFS 655. Parent Education with Parents of 5-10 year olds, 2 credits

Student Teaching

  • CFS 675. Parent Education Student Teaching, 3 credits

NOTE: Students must also meet other state requirements for teachers, as needed, based on their undergraduate degree and experience. Licensure students will also have to complete Human Relations and Drug Education requirements and pass the appropriate PRAXIS exams to be recommended for licensure.