Courses focus on individual and family development through the life cycle with analysis of the forces affecting personal and family development and relationships (See the General Catalog). The Family Science Emphasis provides an academic and professional background for work with children, adults, couples, and families, and was developed to correspond with the suggested content areas outlined by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Professional and career possibilities include: Certified Family Life Educator; parent educator; family life educator in private, non-profit, government, or business settings; coordinator for public policy issues affecting children and families; research facilitator for projects focusing on children, adolescents, and families; supervisor of curriculum and resource development in family life education; bereavement counselor; consultant to work with military families; and working in ministry settings.

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development provides breadth and depth in the child and family sciences. It is an excellent foundational degree for individuals who wish to pursue careers or graduate studies in social services, education, child and family health, family law, counseling, or college teaching. It is also a degree that provides excellent preparation to those who have, or will have, families. 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. What You Can Earn Licensed Professional Counselor $36,358 (in Fresno) Child Care Center Director $69,045 (in Fresno).