Child and Family Studies Graduate Programs (CFS)
Offered Through the Department of Child and Family Studies
in the School 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. Jane Minnema
Graduate Faculty: Johnson, Minnema, Ofstedal, Own, Palm, Zarghami
Specific Track Advisors:
Early Childhood Special Education: Dr. JoAnn Johnson
Family Studies: Dr. Glen Palm
Child and Family Studies Degree Options Offered
- Master of Science in Child and Family Studies: Early Childhood Special Education
- Master of Science in Child and Family Studies: Family Studies
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.
- The graduate summer session offerings typically include courses applicable to teaching licensure and professional development. During the academic school year licensure courses are scheduled on weekends and evenings.
Admission Requirements Specific to the Program
- For admission consideration to the program, a candidate must first meet the minimum GPA admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University.
- The GRE is not required.
- Admission decisions are made throughout the year as completed application files are received. A student may start the program fall, spring and summer terms.
Admission Deadlines Specific to the Program
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 program 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, 2-3 credits
- CFS 681. ECSE Preschool Student Teaching, 2-3 credits
Additional courses may be needed for teaching licensure, contact your advisor.
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 advisor’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 years old, 2 credits
- CFS 655. Parent Education with Parents of 10-15 years old, 2 credits
Additional courses may be used for this block with permission of the advisor. Additional courses may be needed for teaching licensure, contact your advisor.
NOTE: A minimum of half of a graduate program’s credits must be at the 600-level.
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.
