You are in the official 2008-2009 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 2008-2009 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences
Emphases:
Family Sciences
Fashion Merchandising
Home Economics Teacher Education
B.S. in Child Development
Degree Paths:
Child Development
Child Development Pre-Credential
Option
Child Development Practioner Option
M.S. in Family and Consumer
Sciences*
*Admissions to the M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences are currently
suspended
while the program is being restructured.
Minor in Family and Consumer
Sciences
Fashion Merchandising Certificate of Special Study
Marianne Jones, Chair
Richard D. Berrett
Lizhu Davis
Kathleen Dyer
Linda Lee
Alma Major
Gary A. Malone
Sean Seepersad
CFCS faculty members are highly qualified professionals with advanced
degrees from universities across the nation. They bring practical insights
and experience to the classroom, resulting from a wide variety of professional
activities, research, publications, community service, and consulting.
The Child, Family, and Consumer Sciences Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families through education, research, and service. The department offers three degree programs toward this end: (1) a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Consumer Science (FCS) encompassing three areas of emphasis - Family Science, Fashion Merchandising, and Home Economics Teacher Education; (2) a Bachelor of Science in Child Development that includes three degree paths - the traditional Child Development degree, Child Development Practitioner Option, and Pre-Credential Option; and (3) the Master of Arts program, which is currently being restructured.
All majors must consult with a department academic adviser to determine the emphasis or degree path most appropriate to their career or personal goals.
The CFCS Department is housed in the Family and Food Sciences (FFS) Building on the west side of campus. The department maintains laboratory facilities that support our academic programs. These include clothing and textile labs, a child and family observation lab, and two child care labs serving infants, toddlers, and preschool children in which students study child behavior and development under the supervision of faculty and laboratory teaching staff.
Family Sciences. Courses correspond with suggested content areas
outlined by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Areas include
the following: internal dynamics of families, interpersonal relationships,
human growth and development, families in society, parent education and
guidance, family resource management, family law and public policy, and
family life education. Graduates pursue opportunities in parent education,
family life education, adolescent counseling, military family support, child
and family service agencies.
Fashion Merchandising. Courses focus on the many facets of the apparel
industry, display techniques, social and psychological aspects of clothing,
clothing construction, and fashion analysis, as well as practical application
through working in the industry. Computer-aided design is utilized in teaching
merchandising and design principles. Career opportunities are found in retail,
wholesale, and private apparel industries.
Home Economics Teacher Education. Courses under the credential program
focus on the preparation of teachers who will teach in public schools and
professionals who will serve as consultants in business and government.
Child Development
The traditional Bachelor of Science in Child Development provides breadth and depth in the child and family sciences. It provides an excellent foundation for careers or graduate studies in social science, human services, education, child and family health, family law, counseling, or college teaching. It also provides excellent preparation to those who have, or will have, families.
Child Development Practitioner Option
The Practitioner Option is an accelerated, year-round, cohort-based program tailored to the unique career needs of professionals working in Early Care and Education. It provides advanced preparation in child development theory and in early childhood practice. This option has limited enrollment. Students must meet eligibility requirements and complete an application process in order to be considered for admission. Under the California Child Development Permit structure, the bachelor's degree qualifies practitioners for master teacher, site supervisor, and program director levels.
Note: The Child Development Practitioner Option is not a credential preparation program.
Pre-Credential Option
The Pre-Credential Option prepares prospective elementary school teachers for the challenges of the contemporary classroom. It provides students with comprehensive preparation in child development and family science to prepare future teachers to understand and work effectively with children and parents. It includes interdisciplinary coursework that addresses California State Standards requirements and is aimed at developing competence in working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations characteristic of California and other diverse regions of the country. This option provides a degree path for students wishing to pursue the Multiple Subject Credential postbaccalaureate.
Note: Pre-Credential Option students are strongly encouraged
to follow the lower- and upper-division General Education pattern designated
by the School of Education and Human Development Liberal Studies Blended
Program. Courses in this pattern have been approved for GE credit for Pre-Credential
Option students. See adviser for details.
Child, Family, and Consumer Science Courses