Child and Family Studies

600 Academic and Student

Recreation Center

1800 SW Sixth Avenue

503-725-8241

www.pdx.edu/social-work/cyfs-child-youth-and-family-studies

The Child and Family Studies Program is for students who have varied professional goals related to working with children, youth, and their families. Students who are interested in becoming elementary school teachers, social workers, counselors, early childhood educators, or special educators are advised to consider a degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies (CYFS). The degree is also appropriate for students seeking career pathways such as parent educators, family advocates, youth workers, social service caseworkers, program directors/administrators, and classroom assistants. Students gain an interdisciplinary perspective on children, youth, and families, a broad understanding of family systems, and a working knowledge of the diverse socio-cultural contexts in which children and families develop.

The Child, and Family Studies major program content integrates theory with practice. A liberal arts foundation, coursework in professional development and the application of content knowledge, practicum experiences in two diverse settings, and professional documentation prepare students for professional roles as well as graduate school. Students may choose focused elective courses in early childhood education, youth work, family life education, elementary education, human services, or child life. 

The Child and Family Studies program also offers a minor, which can be completed in close alignment with the Families and Society Junior Cluster.

Both the Child, Youth, and Family Studies major and minor place strong emphasis is placed on preparing students to become change agents, creating a more just world for children, youth, and families.

Both the CYFS major and CYFS minor can be completed online, through careful planning with an advisor.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Child Youth and Family Studies B.A.B.S.

Child Youth and Family Studies Minor

Child and Family Studies Courses

Child, Youth, and Family Studies B.A./B.S.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the general University requirements, majors must complete the following program components:

Required Courses

CFS 310Critical Histories in CYFS: Gender/Race/Class

4

CFS 312UFamilies in Lifecourse Perspective

4

CFS 381UFamilies, Stress, and Change

4

CFS 391Family Theories

4

CFS 487Examining Bias and Belief

4

CFS 488Structural Oppression

4

CFS 489Activism for Social Change

2

CFS 492Family Law and Policy

4

CFS 493Professional Self: Ways of Knowing

2

CFS 494Professional Self: Critical Thinking

2

CFS 495Professional Self: Identity

2

CFS 496Professional Self: Integration

2

CFS 497Practicum I

5

CFS 498Practicum II

5

Hst 343UAmerican Family History

4

  

Soc 339UMarriage and Intimacy

4

or

Soc 461Sociology of the Family

4

 

SpEd 417Introduction to Special Education

4

or

SpEd 418Survey of Exceptional Learners

3

16 credits of CFS electives from the following:

CFS 101Introduction to Child and Family Studies

2

CFS 318U/BSt 318UBlack Families in the U.S.

4

CFS 320UABCs of Early Childhood Education

4

CFS 330UAmerican Families in Film and Television

4

CFS 340UQueer Families

4

CFS 350UInterpersonal Violence: Impact on Children & Families

4

CFS 360Critical Disability: Impacts on Children, Youth, & Families

4

CFS 382UMental Disorders: Issues for Families and Communities

4

CFS 385UWorking with Diverse Families

4

CFS 386UYouth Healthy Relationships and Sexuality Education

4

CFS 388Sexual and Reproductive Justice in the United States

4

CFS 390USex and the Family

4

CFS 393UCommunity Resources and Family Support

4

CFS 399Special Studies

1-4

CFS 410Selected Topics

1-8

CFS 410Child Life

4

CFS 450Youth Work Practice

4

CFS 486Parent and Family Education

4

Total Credit Hours: 76

All courses submitted to satisfy the requirements for a major in Child, Youth, and Family Studies must be passed with a grade of C or above. In addition, courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling program major requirements, with the exception of CFS 493.