Schools and Colleges

Department of Child and Family Studies renamed to reflect shift in focus

Courtesy of Steve Sartori

Undergraduate students at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics can choose to pursue their degree with a focus on child development or family studies. But their degree will still be in child and family studies, despite the name change.

By Jordan MullerSenior Staff Writer

As they enter a new semester, students in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamic’s Department of Child and Family Studies may notice something different about their department: a new name.

With the name change effective in July, the department now goes by the Department of Human Development and Family Science. The switch marks the department’s shift in focus from specifically childhood development to other studies of human development and family dynamics.

The change followed approvals by Chancellor Kent Syverud, the Office of the Provost, the University Senate, Falk College Dean Diane Lyden Murphy and department faculty.

“The new department name integrates faculty expertise in early childhood education and care, lifespan development, and family studies,” said Michele Barrett, director of communications for Falk College, in an email.

Students within the Department of Human Development and Family Science will continue to study the relationships between children as they develop physically and emotionally. The department is designed to prepare students for jobs in childcare, education and social services.



But as the department began introducing a curriculum that included studies of human development beyond childhood, Barrett said a name was needed that reflected that level of the curriculum.

“Teaching and degree requirements at the undergraduate and graduate levels take a lifespan perspective on development, versus focusing only on child development,” Barrett said.

Undergraduate students can choose to pursue their degree with a child development or family studies focus, and they will still receive a degree in child and family studies, even after the name change.

Sarah Crane, a junior child and family studies major, said she has not noticed any changes within the department after she began the fall semester this year.

“I don’t think it’s really changed anything curriculum wise,” Crane said. “My degree still says child and family studies.”

Crane said students were not included in the decision to modify their department’s name, but that they received an email in the spring that detailed the impending changes. Although the new name reflects the department’s shift in focus, evidence of the name change is most visible cosmetically.

Falk College began updating signs and directories to reflect the department’s new name this summer. The process of updating signs, stationery and other business elements will continue throughout the fall, Barrett said.

“A great deal of work is going into making sure students are informed of the change,” Barrett said.





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