Montclair State University

Apply Now

Student Toolbox
Academic Programs: Early Childhood Concentration (for Preschool to Third Grade Teacher (P-3) Certification)
Department Home   •  About   •  Academic Programs   •  Faculty & Staff   •  Student Advisement   •  Links   •  Project Cope   •  Internship Opportunities   •  FAQs

Family and Child Studies

Academic Programs: Undergraduate

Families, Children, and School Settings Concentration

Office: University Hall, Room 4144
Phone Number: (973) 655-4171
Email: deptfcst@mail.montclair.edu

Course Requirements:

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Child Studies prepares students for careers working with youth and families in various settings. A major in Family and Child Studies may be for you if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

  • Are you curious about the way children and adults grow and develop?
  • Have you wondered about how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development?
  • Are you interested in learning more about specific stages of human development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, and aging?
  • Would you like to work with hospitalized children to help reduce the stress of medical treatment on them and their families?
  • Have you ever thought about a career in family counseling, working with youth in various settings, working with older adults, or teaching at the preschool or elementary grades level?
Graduates from the program work in a variety of human service settings. These include family and community services; youth service organizations; health care settings; juvenile and adult corrections; family courts system; long term care facilities; and early childhood, elementary, and parent education programs. This degree also provides students with the educational background they need to pursue graduate study in a variety of areas.

The Families, Children and School Settings concentration prepares students to work in a variety of educational settings. It allows students to pursue certification for teaching in schools at the P-3 or K-5 level.

MAJOR AND CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Family and Child Studies Core
Number Name Hours
FCST 200 Introduction to Family Studies 3
FCST 304 Research in Methods for Studying Families and Children 3
 
FCST 315 Field Experiences in Family and Child Services 3
OR
FCST 316 Service-Learning Experiences with Families and Children 3
 
FCST 348 Family Development over the Life Course 3
FCST 418 Working with Diverse Families and Children 3
FCST 445 Poverty and Families 3
 
B. Developmental Core
Number Name Hours
FCST 214 Child Development I 3
FCST 314 Child Development II: Adolescence 3
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 
C. Major Electives
Complete 9 credits of any course begining with FCST. 9
 
D. Additional Coursework
Complete 33 additional credits amoung the following areas with advisement:
  • Curriculum and Teaching (SPED)
  • Early Childhood and Elementary Literacy (ECEL, READ)
  • Educational Foundations (EDFD)
  • Family and Child Studies (FCST)
 33
 
Free Electives
Amount varies as needed to reach 120 credits required for graduation. 0-9
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 120 credits
 
If you are planning to pursue teacher certification in P-3 or K-5, please visit the Teacher Education Program site and compare your major program of study to the professional sequence for certification. If you have any questions, please visit your advisor or an advisor in the Center of Pedagogy.
 
Note:
  1. ECEL 200 fulfills General Education elective and FCST Additional coursework
  2. EDFD 220 fulfills Philosophy & Religion requirement and FCST Additional coursework.
  3. FCST 445 fulfills World Cultures Requirement and FCST core.
  4. PSYC 101 fulfills Social Science requirement and FCST Developmental Core.