Child & Family Studies

AAS-T, Certificate

The Child and Family Studies Certificate is part of the offerings under the Social and Human Services program. This certificate provides training and preparation for students who are interested in a wide range of employment opportunities working with children and their families in settings such as: school-age/youth care and education, social services or childcare. Through this program, students gain the knowledge base that will help them to provide a wide variety of services, support and resources for families.

Students can choose to take a single class that interests them or complete a Child & Family Studies Certificate.

The following specialization areas reflect many of the settings where you can work with children and families:

Working with Children and Families

Preparation for work with children (birth-12 years) and their families in child care centers, homes, and various social service settings.

School-Age Children, Youth and Families

Preparation for working in school settings or out-of-school time programs for children, youth and their families.

Program Development and Management

Preparation for school-age care, youth programs or social service management careers.

Career Opportunities

This certificate program offers courses that meet licensing requirements for child care providers and program supervisors, and Child Development Associate (CDA) Educational clock hour requirements. It is the student's responsibility to always clarify specific requirements with the agency.

This program provides a foundation and excellent starting place for students interested in a variety of occupations such as: trainer or director; parent educator; child legislative advocate; art educator; resource and referral specialist; camp counselors; child care teacher; family center staff or director; as well as school-age, youth program staff or director.

Entrance Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.
  • Test requirements: Writing and reading comprehension components of the college admissions test (must be eligible for ENG 101) and the math placement test (must be eligible for MAT 084).
  • Entrance into the CFS certificate option is on a first-come, first-served basis after prerequisite testing has been completed. Students may enter the program any quarter.

How To Get Started

  • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College
  • After matriculation by Admissions, call the division counselor's office at 206 587-4186 for an appointment/interview to determine eligibility to enter the program. Bring a copy of your transcripts and test results with you when you meet with the counselor.
    Counselor: Kimberly McRae, KMcRae@sccd.ctc.edu

Estimated Training Costs

Curriculum

Human Services Core (13 Credits)Credits
SHS 103 SURVEY OF INSTITUTIONS 5
SHS 106 PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING 5
SHS 108 GROUP DYNAMICS & COUNSELING 5
SHS 197 FIELD PLACEMENT: SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES 5
Related Instruction (20 Credits)Credits
ENGL&101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 5
HUM 105 INTERCULTURE COMMUNICATION 5
PSYC&200 LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY 5
SOC& 101 OR INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 5
SOC 250 MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS 5
Child & Family Specialization (12 Credits)Credits
CFS 110 * PLANNING AGE APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES & ENVIRONMEN 3
CFS 120 * SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL & INTELLECT 3
CFS 130 * GUIDING/SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN'S SOCIAL & EMO 3
CFS 245 * BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH DIVERSE FAMILIES 3
School-Age Children, Youth & FamiliesCredits
CFS 145 ACTIVITIES TO FOSTER DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL AGE YEAR 3
CFS 155 DEVELOPMENT DURING THE ADOLESCENT YEARS 3
CFS 180 GUIDING BEHAVIOR & SOCIAL DEV SCHOOL AGE AND AD 3
CFS 208 PLANNING & SPACE DESIGN FOR SCHOOL-AGE & YOUTH 3
CFS 215 MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE METHODS WITH YOUNG CHILD 3
CFS 223 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOL AGE/YOUTH PROGRAM 2
CFS 228 CHILDHOOD/ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY & EDUCATION 3
CFS 252 VIOLENCE PREVENTION 3
Program Development & ManagementCredits
CFS 290 BUDGET AND FINANCE 4
CFS 296
Additional CoursesCredits
CFS 225 ASSESSMENT/PROGRAMMING 3
CFS 263 WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 3
CFS 270 CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH 3
CFS 280 METHODS CULTURAL RELV/ANTI-BIAS:CHILD & FAMILIES 3
CFS 284 LITERACY DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES 3
CFS 299 S.T.A.R.S. SEMINAR 2

* These four courses may be used to meet the educational requirements needed for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which is administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. All classes provide appropriate education that can apply towards these requirements.

Total Program Credits: 45

Note: In order to successfully complete the certificate, a 2.0 grade or better is required in all child and family studies specialization, human services core, and related instruction courses. Students wishing to take selected courses in the social and human services specialization area should meet with the division counselor.

Students may choose to graduate either under the program of study requirements stated in the college catalog at the time they first enter this program, or under the requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the time they apply for graduation-unless more than five years have elapsed since the student entered the program, and providing that the courses required for completion are still offered.

For Further Information:

Child & Family Studies
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room 2BE3212A
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: 206) 587-6900
FAX: (206) 344-4390

Program Contact:
 hssrequests@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.4165