Child and Youth Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

Child and Youth Studies is an interdisciplinary program that will provide the undergraduate student with a scholarly and experiential understanding of childhood and adolescence. The minor, which is open to all majors, educates students about the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and cultural aspects of human development during the first 18 years of life. It integrates the many child- and youth-focused courses and service learning experiences across disciplines within the schools and colleges at USF to provide a structured course of study for the undergraduate student interested in learning about children.

Requirements

• Download the Child and Youth Studies Minor Requirements Checklist 

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Child and Youth Studies requires a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits, as follows:

*Students must obtain a "C" grade or better in all courses for the minor.
*At least 12 credits of the CYS Minor must come from courses outside of the student's major department(s) and other academic programs (e.g., Dual Degree Program and minors).
*Students must meet with the Director of the CYS minor before starting the program.

Three (3) core courses (12 credits)

Required (4 credits)

• PSYC - 101 General Psychology

One course in Psychology (4 credits)

• PSYC - 312 Child Development

One course in Sociology (4 credits)

• SOC - 329 Social Worlds of Children OR
• SOC - 229 Diversity of American Families

Two Elective Courses (8 credits)

• COMS - 302 Dark Side of Interpersonal/Family Communication
• COMS - 306 Family Communication
• ESS - 220 Motor Development
• ESS - 360 Exercise and Healthy Kids
• NURS - 331/420 Family Health I - NURSING ONLY
• NURS - 341/421 Family Health II - NURSING ONLY
• PSYC - 328 Child Psychopathology
• PSYC - 350 Perspectives in Psychology (Family Psychology)
• PSYC - 369 Child Maltreatment
• SOC - 229 Diversity of American Families
• SOC - 329 Social Worlds of Children
• SOC - 338 Sociology of Education
• SOC - 356 Juvenile Justice
• SOC - 390 Sociology of Adolescence
• TEC - 611 Education of Bilingual Children: Theory and Practice
• TEC - 643 Education of Exceptional Children

Four credits of Departmental Practicum and Internship Experience (s)

• COMS - 496 Communication Studies Internship
• DANC - 360 Dance in the Community
• ESS - 398 Professional Practicum
• INTD - 385 DDTP Fieldwork
• NURS - 351/425 Clinical Lab IV-A - NURSING ONLY
• NURS - 352/426 Clinical Lab IV-B - NURSING ONLY
• PSYC - 396 Psychology Practicum
• SOC - 395 Fieldwork in Sociology
• TEC - 401 America Reads I A
• TEC - 402 America Reads I B

Questions about the Child and Youth Studies Minor should be directed to Professor Diana Lattimore in the Department of Psychology (dlattimore@usfca.edu ); students interested in enrolling in the minor should meet with her during her regularly scheduled office hours.