DFST 1013 (TECA 1354). Human Development. 3 hours. Introduction to the theories and processes of physical, cognitive and social development of the individual from conception until death. Suitable for non-majors; DFST majors should take in their first year. Satisfies the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
DFST 1023. Assessment and Observation. 3 hours. Methods in observation and reporting of child development. Developmental assessment of infants, children and adolescents. Methods, reading and reporting of research in human development and family studies. DFST majors should take in their first year.
DFST 2033 (TECA 1303). Parenting in Diverse Families. 3 hours. Commonalities and differences in parenting, caregiving and family life are emphasized from systems, ecological and cross-cultural perspectives. Parenting and caregiving in diverse family forms and cultures are studied in relation to adult-child interactions, parent/school/community relations, family roles, laws, and parenting skills. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
DFST 2313. Courtship and Marriage. 3 hours. The study of dating, courtship and marriage relationships.
DFST 2900. Special Problems. 1–3 hours. Open to lower-level students capable of developing a problem independently. Problems are chosen by the student and developed through conferences with the instructor.
DFST 3113. Infant and Toddler Development. 3 hours. The growth and development of the child from conception to three years, including the influence of the family and environment.
DFST 3123. Child Development. 3 hours. Basic principles of development and learning; physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development in early and middle childhood (ages 3 to 10 years). May require some observation and case study.
DFST 3213. Infant and Toddler Education and Intervention. 3 hours. Focus on roles of professionals and parents/caregivers in fostering individual infant and toddler development through appropriate interactions and care, safe and healthy environments, and developmental intervention. Fifteen hours field observation with infant and toddlers required. Course has been approved as fulfilling competencies for Early Intervention Specialist Credential. Prerequisite(s): DFST 3113 or equivalent.
DFST 3313. Interpersonal Relationships. 3 hours. Study of interpersonal relationships across the life span in a variety of contexts.
DFST 3423. Family, School and Community. 3 hours. Analyzing family, school and community resources and needs as related to the family life cycle; child welfare and education, ecological approach; and exploration of careers related to children and families. Strategies to improve communication and collaboration are emphasized with a focus on family types, cultures, economic conditions, school systems, community services, political forces, advocacy groups and other factors that impact young children and their families. Fifteen hours a term/semester in field work arranged. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing.
DFST 4011. Prepracticum. 1 hour. Provides a bridge from theory to professional practice. Determining career goals and assuming professional ethics, roles and responsibilities are emphasized. Preparation and placement for an in-depth practicum for FCS student teaching is included. A grade of C or better in this course is a requirement for registration in DFST 4023, Practicum. Prerequisite(s):junior or senior standing.
DFST 4023. Practicum. 3 hours. The practicum requires a minimum of 150 clock hours of in-depth experience with an approved agency or research related to development and/or family studies, plus seminar. Emphasis is placed on application of knowledge and skills to actual job roles and responsibilities. Prerequisite(s): DFST 1023, DFST 4011. Students must have a minimum 2.45 overall grade point average, completion of 90 hours or more, and have received a grade of C or better in DFST 4011, Prepracticum, and have the practicum site approved the previous term/semester by prepracticum instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours.
DFST 4133. Adolescent Development. 3 hours. Theories and characteristics of physical, cognitive and social development between 11 and 20 years of age. Effects of family, school, community and other factors on adolescent development are also addressed.
DFST 4223. School-Age and Adolescent Programs. 3 hours. The components in before and after school child care and related programs that are developmentally appropriate and benefit children aged 5 through adolescence are explored. These include planning, implementing and evaluating activities, facilities, programs, staff, budgets and other aspects necessary for providing health services for children and adolescents.
DFST 4233. Guidance of Children and Youth. 3 hours. Best practices in individual and group guidance and management of children from birth through adolescence. Focus on behavior in the context of family, culture and social practices. Requires 15 hours of observation of individual and group activities in an approved setting, to include 3 hours of interaction with infants, children, or youth. Prerequisite(s): DFST 3123.
DFST 4253. Administration of Programs for Children, Youth and Families. 3 hours. Analysis of programs, personnel policies, facility administration and related topics for teachers and administrators who work with children, youth and families. Prerequisite(s): course in child development.
DFST 4323. Family Law and Public Policy. 3 hours. Laws and public policies as they relate to and affect the family. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing; DFST 3323.
DFST 4353. Advanced Family Studies. 3 hours. Exploration of current research and theory as it applies to family systems in social contexts. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior standing; DFST 3323.
DFST 4413. Family Life Education. 3 hours. The practice and process of family life education and training of professionals in the child development and family field. Curriculum and program development and evaluation. Teaching strategies and professional responsibilities. Prerequisite(s): DFST 2033 and DFST 3323.
DFST 4433. Family Resource Management. 3 hours. Application of principles of family resource management includes goal setting; decision making; and time, energy, financial, and consumer management.
DFST 4800-DFST 4810. Studies in Development and Family Studies. 1–3 hours. Organized classes for specific program needs and student interests. Prerequisite(s): consent of department. Limited-offering basis. May be repeated for credit.
DFST 4900. Special Problems. 1–3 hours. Open to advanced students capable of developing a problem independently. Problems chosen by student and developed through conferences with the instructor.
DFST 4951. Honors College Capstone Thesis. 3 hours. Major research project prepared by the student under the supervision of a faculty member and presented in standard thesis format. An oral defense is required of each student for successful completion of the thesis. Prerequisite(s): completion of at least 6 hours in honors courses; completion of at least 12 hours in the major department in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the department chair and the dean of the school or college in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the dean of the Honors College. May be substituted for HNRS 4000.
The following special education courses are included in the generic special education service delivery endorsement for the elementary and secondary teaching certificates (EDSP 3210, EDSP 3420, EDSP 3500, EDSP 4110, EDSP 4320, EDSP 4330 and EDSP 4340).
EDSP 2500. Human Exceptionality. 3 hours. An examination of intellectual, physical and social-behavioral exceptionalities across the life span. Students explore educational, cultural, economic, and political perspectives of exceptionalities. Attention is also given to viewing exceptionalities from various disciplines. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
EDSP 3210. Educational Aspects of Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Overview of the unique physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of exceptional learners. The teacher’s role in identification and referral procedures and implementation of effective educational practices as required by federal and state law are examined.
EDSP 3220. Learning Disabilities: Characteristics, Identification and Intervention. 3 hours. An examination is made of the typical characteristics associated with learning disabilities and identification procedures utilized. Emphasis is on the development of appropriate intervention programs. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 and EDSP 3300 or consent of department.
EDSP 3240. Family Communication and Collaboration for Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. (2;1) Analysis of collaboration and communication models and strategies used in working with families, caregivers and professionals concerned about students with exceptionalities. Focus on the changing definition of family, community resources, advocacy groups, political forces, legal mandates and other factors are addressed that may impact students and their families. 15 hours per term/semester of field-work is arranged.
EDSP 3300. Special Education Practicum I. 3 hours. (1;6) Practical experience in field sites (90 hours: 70 hours field experience and 20 hours classroom). Cognitive, affective and psychomotor objectives for observing behaviors, assisting in planning for instruction and participating in diagnostic processes. Professional development is emphasized. Prerequisite(s): 60 hours of undergraduate credit, overall GPA 2.75, all sections of THEA must be passed.
EDSP 3410. Mental Retardation: Characteristics, Identification and Intervention. 3 hours. An examination is made of the typical characteristics associated with mental retardation and identification procedures utilized. Emphasis is on the development of appropriate intervention programs. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 and EDSP 3300 or consent of department.
EDSP 3420. Behavioral Disorders: Characteristics, Identification and Intervention. 3 hours. An examination is made of the typical characteristics associated with severe behavior problems and procedures for identification. Emphasis is on the development of appropriate intervention programs. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 and EDSP 3300 or consent of department.
EDSP 4110. Student Teaching in Special Education. 3 hours. Teaching under supervision. See “Student Teaching Program” under College of Education section in the Undergraduate Catalog for details. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210, EDSP 3220, EDSP 3300, EDSP 3410, EDSP 3420, EDSP 4320, EDSP 4330 and EDSP 4340; or consent of department. Pass/no pass only.
EDSP 4320. Educational Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Examines a variety of assessment and evaluation strategies that are appropriate for special and general education settings. Knowledge of basic testing procedures and terminology as related to the exceptional learner. Interpretation and utilization of test data in developing individual education plans. Introduction to curriculum-based assessment. Field experiences include administration of academic and teacher-made assessments. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 or equivalent and EDSP 3420.
EDSP 4330. Advanced Educational Strategies for Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Advanced educational strategies and interventions that promote academic performance of exceptional learners across a variety of settings and situations. Includes an emphasis on instructional use of computers and technology in the classroom. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 or equivalent and EDSP 3240.
EDSP 4340. Classroom and Behavioral Management Strategies for Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Approaches to behavioral management of exceptional learners across a variety of educational settings. Implementation of individualized techniques including applied behavioral analysis, as well as larger-group strategies, to foster positive behavioral, social and emotional growth. Special attention to the development of behavioral intervention plans and positive behavioral supports for students with challenging behaviors. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210 or equivalent and EDSP 3240.
EDSP 4350. Strategies to Support Diverse Learners in General Education. 3 hours. Examination of the roles of various professionals in the successful inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Focus on consultation models, practices and principles with an emphasis on collaboration, cooperative learning and inclusion. Provides and overview of assessment techniques applicable for all learners in the general education classroom. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210, or equivalent.
EDSP 4360. Transition Education and Services for Exceptional Learners. 3 hours. Transition education and services for individuals with disabilities across the life span with emphasis on the post-secondary years. Examines the theory and practice of transition planning from school to community living, post-secondary education and employment. Legislative history and practical applications of skills such as transition assessment, job development and job placement are emphasized. Prerequisite(s): EDSP 3210, EDSP 3240 and EDSP 4320.
EDSP 4900-EDSP 4910. Special Problems. 1–3 hours each.
EDSP 4951. Honors College Capstone Thesis. 3 hours. Major research project prepared by the student under the supervision of a faculty member and presented in standard thesis format. An oral defense is required of each student for successful completion of the thesis. Prerequisite(s): completion of at least 6 hours in honors courses; completion of at least 12 hours in the major department in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the department chair and the dean of the school or college in which the thesis is prepared; approval of the dean of the Honors College. May be substituted for HNRS 4000.
Date of initial release: July 1, 2010 — Copyright © 2010 University of North Texas
Page updated:
July 27, 2010
— Comments or corrections: catalog@unt.edu
UNT · Search UNT · UNT News · UNT Events
“University of North Texas,” “UNT” and “Discover the power of ideas” are officially registered trademarks of the University of North Texas; their use by others is legally restricted. If you have questions about using any of these marks, please contact the UNT Division of University Relations, Communications and Marketing at (940) 565-2108 or e-mail branding@unt.edu.
(800) UNT-8211
(868-8211) (toll-free)
AskUNT: unt.custhelp.com
(940) 565-2000
Schedule a tour online
(940) 565-4104