Teaching: Child and Family Studies
The teaching child and family studies at Keystone is an education degree for individuals interested in human development and working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings. Students have many opportunities to engage in coursework and fieldwork in authentic environments and explore the complexity of human behavior in real-life settings. Providing students with a sound social sciences foundation, the theories and processes of lifespan development, and emphasizing the framework for the ways in which families and communities coalesce, this degree provides important links between human development and practice. A hallmark of the program is a semester-long agency-based field experience.
Classes are small and allow for varied opportunities to work with faculty. This is a non-certification program. The curriculum is organized to foster the development of skilled teachers who can utilize best practices for planning and preparing environments and instruction in early childhood and primary- grade settings. Graduates will be self-directed individuals who can communicate effectively, make informed decisions, think critically and creatively, and examine ethical issues in order to enhance educational excellence.
Real World Experiences
Classroom experiences give you school-based observation and participation each semester. There’s simply no better preparation for future teachers than real world experience. Observing how students react to different styles of instruction and learning how to adjust in response, will prepare you for a successful career in education.
- Field experiences begin the first semester
- Pre-student teaching placements
- 14 weeks of student teaching last semester
Curriculum Guide
Curriculum Guide for the Teaching: Child and Family Studies B.S. Degree
FIRST SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation
- Introduction to Teaching
- College Writing I: Academic Writing
- Critical and Analytical Reading
- The First Year Seminar
- Scientific literacy elective
- Quantitative: College Algebra
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
SECOND SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Start Stage 1 Field Experience/Exploration Real World Experience
- Speech Communication Comm
- College Mathematics Quantitative
- Child Development I Social & Cultural
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- College Writing II: Writing About Literature Comm
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
THIRD SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Stage 2 Field Experience Real World Experience
- Child, Family, and Community
- American Literature I or II A & H
- Child Development II Social & Cultural
- Characteristics & Needs of Exceptional Learners
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
FOURTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Begin Stage 3 Pre-Student Teaching Experience Real World Experience
- Concentration Elective
- United States History I or II A & H
- Cognition and Learning
- Early Intervention & Transitions Bridge Experience
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements
FIFTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student Teaching Experience Real World Experience
- Concentration Elective 2
- Developmental Assessment I
- Electronic Media for Teachers Technology
- Psychopathology
- Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
SIXTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student Teaching Experience Real World Experience
- Concentration Elective 3
- Teaching Literacy through Literature
- Developmental Assessment II
- Statistics
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
SEVENTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student Teaching Exp. Real World Experience
- Teaching English Language Learners S & C
- Seminar: Contemporary Research, Issues & Ethics in Education Moral Reasoning
- The Helping Relationship Real World Experience
- Classroom Management
- Family Partnerships: Advocacy, Collaboration and Transitions
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
EIGHTH SEMESTER
- Concentration Elective 4
- Human Services Systems
- Field Experience Capstone Experience, Real World Experience
- Psychology of Adolescence
- Research Methods for the SBS
- Grad Audit
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
- Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Current clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
Updated: October 2017
Disclaimer: The courses listed above are a sampling for marketing purposes only. Students should consult the College catalog and their academic advisor for course selection and degree progress. Students will work closely with an academic advisor to select courses and/or academic minors that fit their interests, as well as with Career Services for career goals. While the academic advisor assists the student in planning his/her curriculum, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the requirements of the curriculum selected.
College Catalog
See the official college catalog for all course descriptions and degree requirements.
Hands on Experience
Study Abroad
You can explore your academic goals in an international setting and global environment. The experience of living in a new country will build your self-confidence, add valuable skills to your tool box, and will alter how you view yourself, the world, and your own country.
Internships and Field Experiences
Not all education happens in the classroom. Internships and other field experiences give students the opportunity to learn through direct hands-on experiences outside of the classroom with a real world experience in the field.
Undergraduate Research
The process of research and discovery while working with a faculty mentor enriches the learning process and creates positive attributes which will last a lifetime. Undergraduate research encompasses both traditional research and creative endeavors.