General Catalog 2025-2026
Child and Family Science
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About the Department
Amber Hammons, Department Chair
Family and Food Sciences Building, Room 214
559.278.2283
socialsciences.fresnostate.edu/cfs/
The Child and Family Science Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families through education, research, and service. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Science.
Our degree provides breadth and depth in the scientific study of child development, along with practical applications in disciplines that require direct interaction with children. It provides an excellent foundation for careers in childcare, program administration, or work in health settings and other human services with children. It prepares students for post-graduate work toward a teaching credential, school psychology, or social work.
Interesting Classes you Might take
- Introduction to Child Development
- Culture and Diversity
- Introduction to Family Science
- Early Childhood Development
- Adolescent Development
Our degree program also focuses on the scientific study of the family relationship context of child and adult development. Courses correspond with suggested content areas outlined by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), including internal dynamics of families, interpersonal relationships, human growth and development, families in society, parent education, family resource management, family law and public policy, and family life education. Graduates pursue opportunities in family life education (e.g., parenting education and relationship enrichment), military family support, and child and family service agencies. It provides an excellent foundation for graduate training in family therapy.
Interesting Classes you Might take with a Family Science Focus
- Risk and resilience
- Family Theory
- Parent Education
- Intimacy
What You Can Learn
- Physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development from conception through adolescence
- Families, their place within society, and their influence on human behavior
Students begin their journey by taking introductory classes required of all majors, and that are frequently prereqs for other classes. For the bulk of the courses in the major, students can choose to create their own course of study from a list of classes. Classes students can expect to take in their final or senior year include capstone classes for graduating seniors.
ProgramsBachelorMinorCoursesChild and Family ScienceCurriculum and InstructionEducation and Human DevelopmentFamily and Consumer Science
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