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Students may choose to select an existing Stout minor. The student will then work with the advisor for that minor. Information about minors, including requirements and the supervising advisors, is located here.
Many students elect to do a concentration instead of a minor. Concentrations (22 credits needed for completion) may be a blend of courses that the student with consultation with an advisor feels will benefit career objectives, or the student may elect to have one of the following areas as a focus:
- Working With Children [PDF]
- Working with Adolescents [PDF]
- Working With Families [PDF]
- Family Life Education [PDF]
- Therapy and Intervention [PDF]
Suggested courses for the concentrations are linked above. In the student's last semester of coursework for the concentration, a concentration approval form [PDF] is submitted to your advisor for his or her signature. This form will be forwarded to the program director and associate dean for their signatures before being forwarded to Records and Registration.
The HDFS Open Concentration (22 credits) can be designed to meet criteria for several specific careers.
Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate
- SOCWK 205 Introduction to Social Work - 3 credits (offered only in Spring)
- SOCWK 430 Social Casework Methods 3 credits - (offered only in Spring)
- SOCWK 440 Social Work with Groups and Communities - 3 credits (offered only in Fall)
You should also plan on an 8 credit practicum. Four of these credits could be used in the concentration.
Also suggest as part of the concentration taking SOCWK-420 Child and Family Agencies -- 3 credits.
For more information about the application process for the Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate go here.
Child Life Specialist
- FN-207 Medical Terminology - 1 credit
- BIO-132 Human Biology - 4 credits
Additional concentration credits should be selected from the "Working with Children [PDF] " -- courses beyond requirement sheets. You will also need to document a minimum of 50 hours of "work" with healthy children (non-medical setting) and 50 hours of work with children in a hospital setting prior to applying for a practicum. In addition, you will need to apply to the hospital for a practicum at least six months prior to the actual practicum. Hospital settings will require over 400 hours for a practicum, therefore students may want to consider an 8 credit practicum. Hospital placements are competitive; students will need a cumulative GPA of over 3.0.
Provisional Certified Family Educator
- HDFS-257 Lifespan Sexuality - 3 credits
- HDFS-313 Parent Education - 2 credits
- FCSE-451 Family Life Ed Programs - 2 credits
- Plus 15 credits from suggested lists.
For more information about the application process for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator go here.
Required courses for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator require a C or better.
School Counseling – preparation for M.S. degree
Check the document "Minimum Competency Course Requirements for Certification" on the Guidance and Counseling website. It is page two of the program plan [PDF].
Gerontology Certificate (Specialization)
- 20 credits required (including HDFS 340 and BIO-125)
- 2 credits field experience and 12 credits from approved gerontology elective courses.
For more information about the gerontology certificate go here.