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Congratulations to the graduates of the Department of Family and Child Studies! We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished! We have recorded this video message for you! Visit appstate.edu/commencement and rcoe.appstate.edu/commencement to see the ways you can view and participate in the commencement celebrations.

We are actively practicing social distancing, which means we remain open but limiting the number of students, faculty, and staff on campus. If you need to contact the Department of Family and Child Studies, please do so between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm via email harmonbk@appstate.edu or phone 828-262-3120 (Brandy Harmon: Administrative Assistant) or 704-560-4140 (Denise Brewer: Department Chair).

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The Family & Child Studies Department offers undergraduate programs in Child Development with the option to have a teaching license. These programs provide coursework and field experiences in a variety of settings for young children with and without disabilities. Our emphasis is to prepare professionals in working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners of all ability levels, their families, and other early care and education professionals. 

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The Department of Family and Child Studies creates a community of engagement around the capacity for learning and competence of children. By exploring how children develop and learn in context, we prepare professionals who work with children and families across a variety of settings. We are constructivist and inspired by the pedagogical practices of Reggio Emilia. We aspire to create professionals who consider the cultures within which the child grows and develops. Students are supported in developing sensitivity to all through critical thinking and community engagement. By embracing our obligation to create healthy, just and sustainable societies, our students are equipped to be knowledgeable, compassionate and dedicated in their professional endeavors; to respond to others with humility, and to recognize the dignity of all.

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We envision a world in which all professionals who work with children understand and respect children as competent beings and families are recognized as children's first and most important teachers. To paraphrase the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, we believe that intelligent children deserve intelligent practitioners. Through our community of practice, we seek to develop reflective practitioners and communities, who recognize and intentionally support children's construction of knowledge, feelings, and identity collaboratively with the other children and adults in their lives. We strive to be recognized as both a resource and collaborator for the creation of sustainable communities for children and families both within and outside the Appalachian community.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

Education is transformative and dynamic. Open and collaborative intellectual inquiry is the foundation of a university education and a democratic society. In the spirit of shared humanity and concern for our community and world, the faculty, staff, and students of the Family and Child Studies Department celebrate diversity as central to our mission and affirm our solidarity with those most at risk. In line with our departmental goals, we disavow all racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, classism, transphobia, ableism, ageism, and hate speech or actions that attempt to silence, threaten, and degrade others. We strive to model inclusion, reflection, advocacy, and care for community in order to work toward an equitable, democratic, and sustainable society. 

Accreditation 

Family & Child Studies education majors are accredited under NCATE.