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Department of Child and Family Studies

Robert P. Moreno, Chair, 315-443-1715
426 Ostrom Ave

Faculty Colleen Baish Cameron, D. Bruce Carter, Joseph P. Fanelli, Irene Kehres, Ambika Krishnakumar, Eunjoo Jung, Teresa MacDonald, Robert P. Moreno, Matthew Mulvaney, Kamala Ramadoss, Rachel Razza, Jaipaul L. Roopnarine

Undergraduate

Robert P. Moreno, Undergraduate Program Director, 315-443-1715

The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is involved in the scientific investigation of children and families. Students engage in multidisciplinary learning about the challenges facing families and children across social, cultural, and contextual settings. In addition, students study the factors that promote strengths and resiliency to foster healthy families and children. CFS students not only learn in the classroom, they receive first hand experience in the community as well. For example, CFS seniors are involved in a 180-hour community practicum that allows them to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real life settings. As a result, CFS students have a comprehensive understanding of children and families in theory and in practice.

Students in the 124 credit B.S. degree program pursue interests in one of four tracks of specialization: (a) Early Child Development, (b) Youth and Family Development, (c) Early Childhood Education (4+1), (d) Child Life Specialist. Core courses focus on child and youth development (i.e., infancy, play, interpersonal competence, human sexuality) and family development (i.e., parenting, marriage, domestic violence). CFS also offers minors in Child and Family Studies, Child and Family Policy and Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies.

CFS graduates pursue careers working with children and families in a variety of areas including early education and intervention programs, social service and mental health agencies, the juvenile justice system, youth programs, schools and parent and family services. Many students also pursue post baccalaureate degrees in fields such as social work, psychology, medicine, family law, counseling, health care, and education as well as child and family studies.

Graduate

Robert P. Moreno, Graduate Program Director; 315-443-2757

A unique aspect of the Department of Child and Family Studies is the interdisciplinary training of the faculty who have advanced degrees in developmental psychology, sociology, education, and gerontology. The graduate programs (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) integrate theory and practice from these fields to facilitate understanding of human development over the life span within and across diverse family and cultural settings. Supervised participation in early childhood education and research programs provide students with firsthand experiences in applying and integrating theory.

The department has a strong reputation for its pioneering work in infant development, parent education, child care, and parent-child relations in different cultures.

Facilities

The Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School provides opportunities for research, teacher training, and community service. Founded as a model of the parent cooperative movement in early childhood education, the school includes parent involvement at the center of its mission. The school is staffed by both graduate and undergraduate students and offers a strong inclusive component that embraces the developmental and cultural perspectives of its children and families. Limited enrollment is open to both the University and local communities.

The Jack Reilly Institute for Early Childhood and Provider Education was established through a generous gift from Syracuse University alumnus John D. Reilly III ‘69, G’70 and his wife, Patricia M. Reilly. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the Institute’s mission is to conduct basic and applied research and to provide training to early childhood professionals on culturally and developmentally-appropriate early childhood education practices and issues pertaining to childhood safety.

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