May 09, 2024  
2023-2024 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog

Child Development and Family Relations

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A C or higher is required in CHF 200 and CHF 201. Students in the Early Childhood Education concentration are required to earn a B or higher in CHF 200, CHF 201, CHF 203, CHF 303, CHF 321, CHF 322, CHF 329, CHF 331 or EHD 203, CHF 304 or EHD 400, CHF 424, CHF 450, EDT 400, EHD 101, EHD 202, EHD 204, EHD 301, ERL 317, ERL 319, and SED 302.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: Students in Early Childhood Education need a 2.75 GPA to apply for teacher candidacy.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  CHF 423 (Individual and Family Studies Concentration, Early Childhood Professional Concentration, and Research Concentration) or CHF 424 (Early Childhood Education Concentration) 

Contact Information: The Advising Center, 100 Shibles Hall (207) 581-2412 or email the Advising Center at: advisingcenter@maine.edu

Transfer Policy

Students at the University of Maine wishing to transfer to this major should have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 for Early Childhood Education concentration or a 2.5 cumulative GPA for all other concentrations. 

Requirements:

English:

 Early Childhood Education concentration requires 1 ENG literature course Credits: 3

Communication:

Choose one from the following list:

  

  

  

Math:

  and   are required for the Early Childhood Education concentration. The Research concentration requires   

Psychology:

   

Child Development and Family Relations Concentrations

CORE COURSES

1. Individual and Family Studies Concentration

This concentration supports professional preparation to work with children and families in community settings.

Course Requirements: 21 credit hours chosen from the following possible elective CHF courses:

2. Early Childhood Education Concentration (Maine public school teaching certification)

This concentration allows students to apply for the state of Maine Endorsement 029: Early Elementary Teacher (public school grades K-3) and to be State eligible to apply for the Endorsement 081: Early Childhood Teacher.  The Endorsement 081, on a Maine teacher certificate, allows the holder to teach students birth to school age 5.

The college’s educator preparation programs emphasize a diverse liberal arts background and highly relevant professional training. The undergraduate teacher education programs are fully accredited by The Council for the Advancement of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the State of Maine. Students graduate from our programs and enter the teaching profession with experience, an authentic view of schools, and an understanding that teaching, learning, and professional development are lifetime endeavors.


In their second year of study students apply for teacher candidacy by submitting a portfolio (efolio) that includes a transcript of their academic work to date which reflects a grade point average of at least 2.75, an analysis of one field experience in a K-3 classroom, an average GPA of 3.0 or higher in MAT 107 and 108, and minimum of 3.0 in ENG 101. If the minimum grade requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE subtest(s) is sufficient. NOTE: As a State of Maine approved program, we will adhere to state certification requirements and adapt our program to meet changing state regulations. For more information about the state required PRAXIS exam, visit http://www.umaine.edu/edhd/academic-programs/praxis-test-series/.

General Requirements

Math Requirement

The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher. If the minimum GPA requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE math subtest is sufficient.

English Requirement

ENG 101 and one English Literature course from the following list. The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher for the chosen English Literature class and ENG 101. If the minimum GPA requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE reading and writing subtests are sufficient.

Students enrolled in Honor College

Students enrolled in the Honors College can complete the English Literature requirement within Elementary Education, by successfully completing two of the following courses: The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher. If the minimum GPA requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE subtest(s) is sufficient.

Social Studies Requirement

The Social Studies requirement can be fulfilled with two courses from the following areas.

● History (HTY)
● Anthropology (ANT)
● Geography (GEO)
● Economics (ECO)
● Political Science/Government (POS)
● Native American Studies (NAS)

Students enrolled in Honor College

Students enrolled in the Honors College can complete the Social Studies requirement by successfully completing two of the following courses.

Professional Education - Prior to Teacher Candidacy

In order to be admitted to Teacher Candidacy and upper level courses in education, students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B, and achieve an overall
cumulative GPA of 2.75. They must also fulfill all portfolio requirements, including minimum grades (or passing appropriate Praxis CORE subtests) and documentation of the field experience and CHRC approval.

Core Courses

All core courses require a grade of B or better. Core classes are as follows:

3. Early Childhood Professional Concentration

This concentration prepares students to work in social service agencies supporting young children and their families, or as an early educator in childcare, Headstart, or private pre-K.   This concentration does not lead to State teaching certification.

Course Requirements: a minimum of 27 credit hours in CHF courses including:
21 credit hours in the following seven required CHF courses:

4. Research Concentration

This concentration provides students with direct experiences in the conduct of applied research in human, family and relationship development.  Students typically work closely with a faculty member on a research project of mutual interest, and are well positioned for future graduate study.

Course Requirements: a minimum of 24 credit hours in CHF or HUD courses including:
9 credit hours in the following three required courses:

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for B.S. in Child Development and Family Relations, Individual and Family Studies concentration

The sequence for each concentration is adjusted as needed to meet requirements.

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

  • CHF Elective Credits: 3
  • General Education Requirements Credits: 13

Second Year - Second Semester

  • CHF Elective Credits: 3
  • General Education Requirements Credits: 12

Third Year - First Semester

  • CHF Elective Credits: 6
  • General Education Requirements Credits: 9

Third Year - Second Semester

  • CHF Elective Credits: 6
  • General Education Requirements Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 6

Fourth Year - First Semester

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • CHF Elective Credits: 3-6
  • General Education Requirements Credits: 3
  • Electives Credits: 9

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