Apr 24, 2024  
2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Family and Child Studies, Comprehensive Major (B.S.)


All emphases in this major have an applied as well as a theoretical orientation. The major emphasizes a developmental life-span approach to individual and family change. The influence of family and individual development on one another is the guiding principle in all programs.

Emphasis 1. Family and Individual Development


This emphasis provides career enhancement for students who have prior work experience with individuals and/or families, or who plan to pursue a career in secondary education, or higher education in family and child studies and related fields. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in related fields with a research rather than a service focus.

Requirements outside School (21-23)


One of the Following (3)


in consultation with adviser

One of the Following (3)


Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Family and Individual Development: 51-53


Emphasis 2. Family Social Services


This emphasis is intended for students who seek entry-level employment in family service, family life education, mental health, or community welfare agencies which serve primarily older children, adolescents, adults, couples, and/or the elderly. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in social work, family and child studies, marriage and family therapy, and related fields.

Requirements outside School (18-20)


One of the Following (3)


in consultation with adviser

One of the following (3)


Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Family Social Services: 58-60


Special Requirements


Students must be admitted to the emphasis before enrolling in FCNS 382. Students should apply for admission prior to the second semester of their sophomore year or upon entry to the university to allow for a more timely graduation without delays due to course sequences.

A grade of C or better in FCNS 180 is a prerequisite for enrollment in FCNS 382, a grade of C or better in FCNS 382 is a prerequisite for enrollment in FCNS 383. Prerequisites for enrollment in the internship FCNS 431B are an overall GPA of at least 2.20 in NIU course work at the time of application for the internship, completion of FCNS 180, FCNS 382, and FCNS 383 with a grade of C or better, senior standing, 100 certified hours of approved community service in social service agencies, proof of liability insurance, and consent of the school. Application is required in September for internships during the following spring and summer terms. Students must complete FCNS 431B with a grade of C or better.

Students not meeting the requirements for entry into the internship may, with the consent of the school, change to Emphasis 1, Family and Individual Development, in order to complete graduation requirements.

Emphasis 3. Child Development


This emphasis provides preparation for professionals who serve infants, toddlers, and young children and their parents in parent-child programs both home- and community-based, in programs for parents and expectant parents, in child-life, early intervention, and early childhood education programs, and in leadership/ advocacy positions. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in child development, family and child studies, and related fields.

Requirements outside School (15-16)


(All of the courses below are available for general education credit)

One of the Following (3)


in consultation with adviser

Total Hours for Emphasis 3, Child Development: 63-64


Special Requirements


Students doing an internship in a hospital must have liability insurance.

Students applying to emphasis 3 must provide documentation that they have performed 25 hours of approved community service in a child development agency, working directly with infants and/or young children (birth to 8 years).

Students must earn a grade of C or better in FCNS 230 in order to enroll in FCNS 330, FCNS 331, and FCNS 332. At the time of enrolling in FCNS 490, the following prerequisites must be completed: declaration as a major in emphasis 3; an overall GPA of at least 2.20 in all NIU course work; after admission to program and prior to admission to FCNS 490, completion of an additional 25 hours of approved community service in a child development agency; completion of FCNS 230 with a grade of C or better, FCNS 330 with a grade of C or better, and FCNS 331 with a grade of C or better or FCNS 332 with a grade of C or better; verification of a nonreactive two step tuberculin skin test and physical exam within the last 6 months; background check; 3 letters of reference; proof of liability insurance; meet the DCFS licensing requirements for personnel; and consent of the school. Students must complete FCNS 490 with a grade of C or better.

Students electing the study area of parent/infant specialist must have completed FCNS 331 with a grade of C or better prior to taking FCNS 490. Students electing the study area of parent/infant or child life specialist must have taken FCNS 439 or be concurrently enrolled in it when taking FCNS 490. Students not meeting the requirements for entry into the practicum or internship may, with the consent of the school, change to the emphasis in family and individual development in order to complete graduation requirements.

B.S. Completion in Emphasis 3


This completion program is limited to students with an Applied Associate Science degree in child care and child development from programs that have a formally established agreement with the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences. Up to 15 semester hours of proficiency credit may be applied to this area of study with the consent of the academic adviser or school chair. Students are encouraged to consult with the NIU adviser before selecting a practicum/internship site, which must be approved in order to gain proficiency credit in FCNS 490.