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Child Studies Major

Child Studies Major

The Bachelor of Science major in Child Studies is an interdisciplinary social sciences degree (psychology, sociology, education and early childhood) that prepares students at the undergraduate level to work in settings related to human services, family & youth development, education or special education. Students completing this major will be prepared to apply for graduate degree programs in fields such as Education or Social Work. Students interested in pursuing public school teaching in CT may also use this degree program to apply for an ARC (Alternative Route to Teacher Certification) program approved by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE).

Students interested in continuing at Charter Oak State College to obtain certification to work specifically in Early Childhood (112 Integrated Early Childhood/Special Ed., Birth–Kindergarten) may be eligible for the ARC program if they also have verified teaching experience as an early childhood educator (with children ages birth through five) or as a home visitor providing educational services to families with children between the ages of birth to five.

Field experience hours are required for some courses within the major. All major requirements must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher. This major requires a minimum of 51 credits.

In order to earn a Bachelor's degree at Charter Oak, all Major, General Education, Liberal Arts , elective, and Upper Division credit must equal 120 or more credits.

Major Requirements

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education

OR

EDU 115- Foundations of Education

3 cr

ECE 205: Diversity & Ethics in ECE 

OR

Culturally Responsive Teaching

3 cr

ECE 176: Health, Safety & Nutrition for children ages Birth to Eight

OR

EDU 211: Health & Wellness School-Age Child

3 cr
ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner or EDU 102: Exceptional Learners/Paraprofessional3 cr
ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight3 cr
EDU 305: Autism Spectrum Disorder3 cr
EDU 360: Families, Schools and Communities3 cr
Early Childhood Education or Education Electives6 cr
Social Science Electives in Human Growth and Development6 cr
PSY 410: Research Methods for Behavioral Sciences3 cr
SOC 320: Urban Youth in American Society3 cr
EDU 495: Child Studies Major Capstone3 cr

Pre-requisites

  • MAT 105: Statistics
  • PSY 101: Psychology
  • SOC 101: Sociology

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a major in Child Studies will:

  • understand both typical and atypical child, youth, and/or adolescent development;
  • understand pertinent theories related to early childhood education, education, psychology or sociology, and be able to apply theories to practice;
  • understand family dynamics and how to work with families;
  • demonstrate effective dispositions for working with children and their families;
  • apply strategies to support all children (including those with special needs), and their families;
  • develop experiences for children and families that are safe, inclusionary and culturally pluralistic; and that reflect understanding of developmentally appropriate practices at varying ages when working with families and their children; and 
  • identify as reflective practitioners in the education field, follow ethical principles, communicate effectively as a professional, and engage in continuous, collaborative learning.
     

Child Studies Major

The Bachelor of Science major in Child Studies is an interdisciplinary social sciences degree (psychology, sociology, education and early childhood) that prepares students at the undergraduate level to work in settings related to human services, family & youth development, education or special education. Students completing this major will be prepared to apply for graduate degree programs in fields such as Education or Social Work. Students interested in pursuing public school teaching in CT may also use this degree program to apply for an ARC (Alternative Route to Teacher Certification) program approved by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE).

Students interested in continuing at Charter Oak State College to obtain certification to work specifically in Early Childhood (112 Integrated Early Childhood/Special Ed., Birth–Kindergarten) may be eligible for the ARC program if they also have verified teaching experience as an early childhood educator (with children ages birth through five) or as a home visitor providing educational services to families with children between the ages of birth to five.

Field experience hours are required for some courses within the major. All major requirements must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher. This major requires a minimum of 51 credits.

In order to earn a Bachelor's degree at Charter Oak, all Major, General Education, Liberal Arts , elective, and Upper Division credit must equal 120 or more credits.

Major Requirements

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education

OR

EDU 115- Foundations of Education

3 cr

ECE 205: Diversity & Ethics in ECE 

OR

Culturally Responsive Teaching

3 cr

ECE 176: Health, Safety & Nutrition for children ages Birth to Eight

OR

EDU 211: Health & Wellness School-Age Child

3 cr
ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner or EDU 102: Exceptional Learners/Paraprofessional3 cr
ECE 247: Child Development: Birth to Eight3 cr
EDU 305: Autism Spectrum Disorder3 cr
EDU 360: Families, Schools and Communities3 cr
Early Childhood Education or Education Electives6 cr
Social Science Electives in Human Growth and Development6 cr
PSY 410: Research Methods for Behavioral Sciences3 cr
SOC 320: Urban Youth in American Society3 cr
EDU 495: Child Studies Major Capstone3 cr

Pre-requisites

  • MAT 105: Statistics
  • PSY 101: Psychology
  • SOC 101: Sociology

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a major in Child Studies will:

  • understand both typical and atypical child, youth, and/or adolescent development;
  • understand pertinent theories related to early childhood education, education, psychology or sociology, and be able to apply theories to practice;
  • understand family dynamics and how to work with families;
  • demonstrate effective dispositions for working with children and their families;
  • apply strategies to support all children (including those with special needs), and their families;
  • develop experiences for children and families that are safe, inclusionary and culturally pluralistic; and that reflect understanding of developmentally appropriate practices at varying ages when working with families and their children; and 
  • identify as reflective practitioners in the education field, follow ethical principles, communicate effectively as a professional, and engage in continuous, collaborative learning.