Child and Family Sciences BS
Earn your online Child Development degree at Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)
Credit Hours:
Total Hours: 120
Major Area of Study: 64
Additional Requirements: 18-21
Cost per Credit Hour:
$401.59
Completion Time:
2-4 years
Accreditation:
Special Requirements:
Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board.
Learn more about this program:
The Child and Family Sciences degree from The University of Southern Mississippi will help you turn your interest in promoting healthy development within families and a better quality of life for children into a rewarding career! Child development prepares students to work with children and their families in educational, institutional, and human service settings. You’ll dive into subjects like classroom management, behavior and guidance, curriculum development, classroom methods, program administration, and so much more to prepare you for a career promoting young children’s healthy development.
The Child Development emphasis will allow you to obtain a Mississippi teaching license for pre-K/Kindergarten grade levels and use your skills in a classroom environment. However, we do not guarantee that we will meet the licensure requirements of other states.
Were you looking for a graduate degree? Check out our fully online child and family sciences MS here! Want even more info? Our enrollment coaches are standing by. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college.
A number of scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship, or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now! The School of Child and Family Sciences has 13 departmental scholarships available for students each year. All university scholarship opportunities can be found at: www.usmfoundation.com. School-specific scholarships can be found on the school’s website.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A CHILD DEVELOPMENT DEGREE?
A Child Development degree can help you find a fulfilling career, positively impacting the lives of children and families by promoting well-being, providing support, and advocating for positive social change!
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
General Education Curriculum
Written Communication (6 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science (8-10 hours minimum)
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 history required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 to the present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethic and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values (3 hours)
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective of Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Concepts of Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
High-level MAT course
|
3 hrs. |
Writing-Intensive Requirement (Major Area)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Family Life Education
|
3 hrs. |
ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites
Speaking Intensive Requirement (3 hours)
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Oral Communication
|
3 hrs. |
Capstone Requirement (Major Area)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life
|
3 hrs. |
Program Curriculum
Major Area of Study Requirements (64 hours)
Minimum grade of “C” required in all Major Area of Study courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Health and Safety Standards for Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Infant Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Child Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Assessment of Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Behavior and Guidance of the Young Child
|
3 hrs. |
|
Administration of Programs for Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Child Development Methods and Materials
|
3 hrs. |
|
Curriculum Activities for Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Student Teaching in Child Development
|
9 hrs. |
|
Developmental Disabilities in Early Childhood
|
3 hrs. |
|
Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationship
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Child and Family Studies
|
3 hrs. |
|
Children, Families, and Technology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Marital and Family Relationships
|
3 hrs. |
|
Family Life Education
|
3 hrs. |
|
Personal and Family Financial Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Parenthood
|
3 hrs. |
|
Family Theories
|
3 hrs. |
|
Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirements (18-21 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Literature and Related Media for Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Educational Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Early Literacy Instruction I K-6
|
3 hrs. |
|
Early Literacy Instruction II K-6
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Mild/Moderate Disabilities
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Families and Adolescents
|
3 hrs. |
|
Families in Crisis
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sexuality in the Family System
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Family in Later Life
|
3 hrs. |
Electives
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates of the program are qualified to work as teachers and administrators in early childhood programs, child development specialists in various settings, or in child advocacy roles.
If you follow the child development emphasis, your degree can lead to a licensure. Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board. For additional information about professional licensure, please review the Professional Licensure Disclosures web page.
120 hours are needed to graduate with a BS in Child and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Child Development. At least 50 percent of the hours applied to a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi must be earned from a senior college, and 30 of these hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. The student must earn at least 21 of the last 30 hours of course work and at least 12 hours in the major area of study from Southern Miss. See Residence Hour Requirements for more information.
Yes, there are fees around $75 for the online Child and Family Sciences degree.
Visit the site for more information:
If you have questions about tuition, transfer credits or anything else about the university, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
Students should be mindful of admission deadlines. For a full list of admission requirements, see the University Admission Policies.
With this online Child and Family Sciences degree, accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, students have the opportunity to earn a degree without having to come to campus. Let The University of Southern Mississippi help you get the degree you need to become a Child and Family professional.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
Apply Now!