University of Akron

Department of Child & Family Development

Last Updated

October 10, 2016

The Child and Family Development Program offers undergraduate degrees in 2 areas of study, 3 interdisciplinary certificates, and 1 Masters degree options. Approximately 300 undergraduates and 10 Masters students are seeking degrees. Our students study with majors from a variety of disciplines and professions, including health related disciplines, human services, art, social work, education, business, and the social sciences. Students in child development and family development all undergo a 200 clock hour internship at professional sites throughout the northeast Ohio area, as well as hands-on experience as part of their course work at child development centers and community agencies.

Program Overview

Program Administrator

Dr. Pamela Schulze (coordinator)

Department Emphasis

75% Child Development
25% Family Studies

Campus Enrollment

25,000

Program Options

Undergraduate
Master’s

Areas of Study

Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Undergraduate
Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Master's

Department Address

400 College of Arts and Sciences
Akron, OH 4004
United States

Phone Number

330-972-4786

Website

http://www.uakron.edu/fcs/childfamily

Undergraduate Program

Undergraduate Director

Dr. Pamela Schulze, [email protected]

Undergrad Program Options

Child Development
Family Development

Undergrad Courses Offered

Courtship, Marriage, and the Family
Fatherhood: the Parenting Role
Child Development
Theory and Guidance of Play
Early Childhood Curriculum Methods
Legal Environment of Families
Consumer Education
Children as Consumers
Parent-Child Relations
Family Life Management
Infant, Family, and Society
Family Relationships in Middle and Later Years
American Families in Poverty
Middle Childhood and Adolescence
Family Financial Management
Special Problems in Family Development
Special Problems in Child Development
Family Crisis
Human Sexuality
Culture, Ethnicity, and the Family
Before and After School Child Care
Child in the Hospital
Organization and Supervision of Child Care Centers
Parent Education
Internship: Child Development
Internship: Family Development

Undergrad Comments

Students typically use elective and language alternative credits to gather minors and certifications to increase the number of credentials at graduation. Typically undergraduates complete their degrees with their major, one minor, and 1-2 certificates of study.

Graduate Program

Graduate Director

Dr. Shannon Zentall, [email protected]

Graduate Courses Offered

Family Crisis
Human Sexuality
Before/After School Child Care
Organization and Supervision: Childcare Centers
Parent Education
Family in Lifespan Perspective
Family in the Middle and Later Years
Developmental Parent/Child Interaction
Family Dynamics
Child Development Theories
Research Methods
Thesis Reading
Master's Project
Masters Thesis

Master's Level

Masters Program Options

Child & Family Development

Masters Comments

Graduate assistantships are competitive with stipend for Fall and Spring semesters and tuition waivers for two years including summer sessions. Interested students should apply for assistantship consideration at the time of application to the graduate school.

CFLE Information

NCFR recognizes schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with course work that follows the Standards and Criteria required for approval as a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). NCFR approval allows the school to offer their graduates the opportunity to apply for Provisional Certification using the Abbreviated Application process. The CFLE Checklist represents the courses that meet the CFLE criteria at that school. Students must complete all the courses on a checklist in order to qualify to apply for the CFLE designation through the Abbreviated Application process.