Child and Family Studies Courses
What is Child and Family Studies?
Families are the basic unit of society and an integral part of our communities. Child and Family studies/science is the scientific study of families and close interpersonal relationships. CHFS recognizes the interconnected and diverse nature of families as key elements to understanding and supporting individuals from across various social, political, cultural, and economic contexts. The CHFS faculty and staff prepares students for careers in both public and private human service spheres, as well as for future advanced (graduate/certificate/licensure) studies. The CHFS faculty are passionate about improving the lives of all children, youth, and families - including those in the later stages of life (gerontology) and those with individual differences (disability studies). As a result, we encourage and equip students to be knowledgeable and skilled advocates of child and family justice, access, equity and quality of life.
(How) do I choose an area of focus or concentration?
You may notice that while some human service professionals have broad knowledge of many different areas in the field, others specialize in one or two specific areas. Both are great and fulfilling career options! For example, you might have a broad interest in helping families and children, or you may want to tailor your career to focus on a specific population or problem. When considering your concentration and relevant courses, you will also want to discuss with your mentor/adviser ways that you can achieve both in your degree. Below are a few suggestions for concentrations and relevant courses that you will want to explore with your mentor/adviser based on your background, goals, and passions. This list is not exhaustive but is a starting point to a deeper exploration into the world of children and families!
In the Empire State University course catalog, courses related to Child and Family Studies can be found under the following course prefixes:
- CHFS: Child & Family Studies
- DISB: Disability Studies
Related human service courses can be found under the following course prefixes:
- ADDS: Addiction Studies
- HLAD: Health Administration
- HLHS: Health Care Services
- HUSV: Human Services
Related non-human service courses can also be found in history (HIST), early childhood studies (ECET), education studies (EDST), psychology (PSYC), human development (HUDV), sociology (SOCI), anthropology (ANTH), creative writing (CRWR), the arts (ARTP), and political science (PPOL) - to name a few!
In the Human Services field, you may notice that some practitioners are generalists and have knowledge of many different areas, while others specialize in one area. Both are great options! You may wish to explore with your mentor which type of approach meets your goals.
When looking at courses to take, you may discuss with your mentor ways to achieve breadth and depth of knowledge in an area that you are interested in. For example, what types of courses would help you achieve a generalist approach or specialize in a certain area? Below are some suggestions for courses that you could take for several areas. This list is in no way exhaustive, but represent a starting point.
| Concentration Description | Courses to Consider (At least 24 advanced level credits) |
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Child & Family Studies/Services/Science (CHFS) concentration is the interdisciplinary study of child development and family relations, with special emphasis on understanding families and individuals in social contexts. Many of the courses in this degree will also cover the development and evaluation of family programs, policies, laws, and advocacy efforts. A degree concentration in CHFS prepares students for work in fields such as parent education, child and family support agencies, protection agencies and most of the jobs listed in related concentrations below. |
CHFS 3010 Cultural Perspectives on Aging CHFS 3015 Child Welfare in the United States CHFS 3020 Childhood Trauma: Theory, Treatment and Recovery CHFS 3022 Counseling Children & Adolescents CHFS 3025 Elder Abuse CHFS 3030 Family Intervention CHFS 3035 Global Perspectives on Aging CHFS 3040 Understanding Adoption CHFS 3045 Human Service Practice with Older Adults CHFS 3050 Interpersonal Violence CHFS 3055 Investigation for Protective Services CHFS 3060 Multicultural Study of Children & Families CHFS 3065 Supporting Active Military Veterans & their Families CHFS 3122 African American Relationships Marriages and Families CHFS 3127 Understanding Mental Illness Children & Adolescents CHFS 3137 Child and Family Policy CHFS 4015 Home, School, & Community Collaboration CHFS 4020 Interventions with At Risk Youth CHFS 4025 Pregnancy & Parenting CHFS 4030 Processes of Divorce CHFS 4035 Trauma & Recovery in Adults CHFS 4998 Individualized Studies in Child and Family Studies |
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Childhood/Child Studies offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in working with children within home, school, or community settings. Students with a concentration in child studies will learn about the historical and contemporary definitions of childhood and the many internal and environmental factors that affect a child's development and well-being. Students in this concentration may matriculate to advanced studies in fields such as education, social work, child and adolescent psychology, and/or family law; or they may enter the workforce as youth coaches/mentors, parent educators, childcare workers (requires licensure), camp directors, recreational specialist, and/or child welfare specialist. |
CHFS 2027 Stress and Resilience in families CHFS 2122 Introduction to Family Studies CHFS 3005 African American Families CHFS 3015 Child Welfare in the United States CHFS 3020 Childhood Trauma: Theory Treatment & Recovery CHFS 3060 Multicultural Study of Children and Families CHFS 4015 Home, School, & Community Collaboration CHFS 4025 Pregnancy and Parenting CHFS 3040 Understanding Adoption CHFS 2015 Helping Children & Adolescents Cope with Bullying CHFS 3022 Counseling Children & Adolescents CHFS 3055 Investigation for Protective Services CHFS 3127 Understanding Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents CHFS 3137 Child and Family Policy |
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Disability Studies draws on an interdisciplinary perspective in working with, researching, and advocating for individuals with disabilities. Concentration in disability studies will include learning about disability history, theory, legislation, policy, advocacy, and ethics. Career opportunities and areas of scholarship in disability studies focus on the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities, their families, and ensuring access, equity, and quality of life through careers such as developmental disabilities case managers, special education teachers (requires advanced degree), researchers and/or counselors (requires advanced degree). |
DISB 2015 Disabled in America DISB 2010 Disabilities in the Workplace DISB 2025 Human Service Practice with Disabilities DISB 3005 ADHD & Neurodiversity DISB 3010 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disabilities HLHS 3011 Vulnerable Populations: Health & Social Justice DISB 3025 Psychosocial Impact of Illness and Disabilities DISB 3030 The Disability Rights Movement: Policy & Legislation DISB 4005 Aging with a Developmental Disability DISB 4010 Assessment and Evaluation of Disabilities HLAD 4015 Healthcare Policy DISB 4998 Individualized Studies in Disability Studies
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Family Resource Management (FRM) entails developing skills in managing the kind of resources that many families need by carefully considering how diversity within families impacts decisions related to the use of and access to resources in daily life and across the lifespan. According to the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), Family Resource Management is “an understanding of the decisions individuals and families make about developing and allocating resources including time, money, material assets, energy, friends, neighbors, and space, to meet their goals.” Jobs in FRM can be found in private and governmental agencies, as family and community educators, and/or in case management and social services. |
CHFS 1005 Intimate Relationships & Marriage CHFS 2027 Stress and Resilience in Families CHFS 2122 Introduction to Family Studies CHFS 3060 Multicultural Study of Children and Families CHFS 3065 Supporting Active Military Veterans & their Families CHFS 3122 African American Relationships Marriages and Families CHFS 4015 Home, School, & Community Collaboration CHFS 4025 Pregnancy and Parenting HUSV 3005 Advocacy in Human Services |
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Family Studies/Science is the field of study focused on the complexities of family functioning, theories, and research. Some industries in which a family studies professional work include marriage and family counseling (requires advanced degree), family education, healthcare advocacy and family services. |
CHFS 2027 Stress and Resilience in Families CHFS 2122 Introduction to Family Studies CHFS 3055 Investigation for Protective Services CHFS 3005 African American Families CHFS 3030 Family Intervention CHFS 3040 Understanding Adoption CHFS 3060 Multicultural Study of Children and Families CHFS 3065 Supporting Active Military Veterans and Families CHFS 4015 Home, School, & Community Collaboration CHFS 4025 Pregnancy and Parenting CHFS 3137 Child and Family Policy |
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Gerontology is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of aging with a focus on the physical, mental, cultural, and social. changes that occur during the later stages of adulthood. Gerontologists are interested in changes in society resulting from our aging population and human service professionals work in areas of direct care, law/public policy, or within organizations responsible for counseling (requires advanced degree), educating, researching, and advocating for the broader causes of older people. |
CHFS 2010 Exploring the Professions: Careers in Gerontology HUSV 2500 Wellness Practice with Older Adults CHFS 3010 Aging and Longevity CHFS 3025 Elder Abuse CHFS 3035 Global Perspectives on Aging CHFS 3045 Human Service Practice with Older Adults |
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Veterans Services/Studies |
CHFS 2027 Stress and Resilience in Families CHFS 3065 Supporting Active Military Veterans & their Families CHFS 4035 Trauma & Recovery in Adults DISB 3025 Psychosocial Impact of Illness & Disability HLHS 3011 Vulnerable Populations: Health & Social Justice HLHS 3015 Grief & Loss HUSV 2020 Crisis Intervention: Theory & Practice HUSV 3005 Advocacy in Human Services HUSV 3022 Crisis Intervention II: Counseling Skills and Models HUSV 3030 Group Work HUSV 3050 Personal Coaching HUSV 3127 Coping with Life Challenges HUSV 4005 Bereavement Counseling HUSV 4023 Stigma & Mental Illness HUSV 4025 Holistic Healing in Human Services HUSV 4045 Secondary Trauma in Human Service Workers |