Childhood Studies Minor

Missouri Western State University offers an interdisciplinary minor in childhood studies. This minor is intended for those students who have child-related emphases in their major disciplines, such as juvenile delinquency, child psychology, or pediatrics or for those who simply wish to learn more about the subject of childhood.  The minor will also provide a foundation of study for those students who intend to go on to professional or graduate school in order to study in child-related areas. This minor does not provide students with certification to teach in the state of Missouri.

Each student interested in this minor should discuss with his or her major academic advisor which courses best fit that student's discipline and concentration area as well as which general studies courses need to be chosen to satisfy prerequisites.

To insure that the minor is a truly interdisciplinary experience, at least three disciplines must be represented with no more than nine hours coming from any one discipline:

Minor Requirements
Select eighteen credit hours from the following:18
Introduction to Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Law and Procedures
Family, Community, and Schools: Partnering for Young Children 1
Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child 2
Children's Literature 2
Collaborating with Families and School Personnel for Inclusion
Literature for Adolescents
Child Growth and Motor Development
Domestic Relations
Maternal/Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Life-Span Developmental Psychology 3
Child/Adolescent Psychology
Child Psychopathology and Exceptionalities 3
The Family
Family and Child Welfare
Theatre for Children and Youth
Internship: Relevant field experience/practicum/internship through any academic department 4
Relevant Special Topics Course offered through any academic department 4
Relevant Independent Study arranged with any full-time faculty member 4
Total Credit Hours18
1

Declared childhood studies minors are exempt from EDU 300 Introduction to Early Childhood Education as a prerequisite for this course

2

Declared childhood studies minors are exempt from EDU 202 Introduction to Education and EDU 203 Participation in Teaching I as prerequisites for this course.

3

Declared childhood studies minors are exempt from PSY 200 Intermediate Psychology as a prerequisite for this course.

4

May be repeated for credit. Only three credit hours of any one internship (including student teaching), special topics course, or independent study may be applied to the minor.

University Graduation Requirements

  1. Have a valid and declared major on file (minors cannot be awarded in the same areas as the major, emphasis or concentration).
  2. Earn a minimum of 3 credit hours beyond the major, emphasis, concentration and/or general studies requirements.
  3. Earn a minor GPA of at least 2.0.