Family and Consumer Sciences, Family Life Education Option, B.A.

(120 units)

This option is available in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. It was introduced in response to a certification process developed by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). NCFR is the leading national organization for professionals concerned with promoting and enhancing the quality of family life. NCFR sponsors the only national program to certify family life educators.

After completing the recommended preparatory course work in this department, it is possible to get two types of certification from NCFR:

Provisional Certification from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is available to students who complete the approved courses that correspond to the ten substance areas from an approved program, but without the minimum two years of work experience.

Full Certification from the NCFR is available to students who graduate from an approved academic program and have completed at least two years of work experience as a family life educator. The work experience of the student has to be submitted, reviewed, and approved by an NCFR review committee.

Interested students should contact the Family Life Education Coordinator, Dr. Nilufer P. Medora, Family and Consumer Sciences (562) 985-4488 or at medora@csulb.edu

Family Life Education

This option provides an academic and professional background for work with children, adults, couples, and families. It offers an interdisciplinary foundation in several areas that influence and enhance the quality of life of children, adults, couples, and families based on education, enrichment and prevention. Fieldwork opportunities where students have direct experiences with individuals and families in the community are provided for qualified students.

Requirements

Take all of the following courses:

CDFS 111 - Preschool Child (3 units)
CDFS 312 - Family and Personal Development (3 units)
CDFS 319 - Family Stress and Coping (3 units)
CDFS 402 - Child and Family Law (3 units)
CDFS 410 - International Families: Families in Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3 units)
CDFS 411 - Individual Child Study and Guidance (3 units)
CDFS 413 - Child and Family in the Community (3 units)
CDFS 418 - Parent Education (3 units)
CDFS 419 - Family Life Education (3 units)
CDFS 492B - Internship in Family Life Education (3 units)
CAFF 321 - Family and Consumer Resource Management (3 units)
FCS 299 - Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences (1 unit)
FCS 499 - Professionalism and Leadership in Family and Consumer Sciences (1 unit)
H SC 425 - Human Sexuality and Sex Education (3 units)
NUTR 132 - Introductory Nutrition (3 units)
PSY 100 - General Psychology (3 units)

Take one the following courses:

ANTH 120 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
Another approved Global Issues course (3 units)

Take 9 units of advisor-approved electives.

Three of the 9 units must be upper division.

Note(s):

In addition, a course in which a grade lower than “C” is received must be retaken and successfully completed prior to enrolling in a course for which it is a prerequisite. A student receiving a grade lower than a “C”, may proceed with other courses with the approval of the Child Development and Family Studies Area Coordinator. Each course on the student’s program planner must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.