CHS 497 - Child Studies Practicum 2

3 Credits

This capstone practicum for the Bachelor of Science in Child Studies combines 25 hours of supervised fieldwork in an approved early childhood setting (birth to age 8) with advanced integrative coursework. To ensure a comprehensive range of experiences, students must select an age group and setting different from their CHS 437 practicum.

Building on the foundation established in CHS437 and subsequent coursework, students demonstrate advanced proficiency in applying developmentally appropriate practices and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards while exhibiting emerging leadership and professional skills. Topics include synthesizing NAEYC's Professional Standards and Competencies across domains, leading ethical practices in complex scenarios, implementing innovative and research-based teaching strategies, enhancing family and community engagement initiatives, and conducting action research for program assessment and improvement. Students will develop and evaluate program-wide initiatives using advanced industry-recognized methodologies, showcasing their readiness for professional practice or advanced study. This course emphasizes critical reflection, advanced problem-solving, and the refinement of a personal teaching philosophy aligned with current best practices in early childhood education.

Note: Students are responsible for securing their practicum site, subject to University approval. Site-specific requirements, including background checks, fingerprinting, and vaccinations, must be fulfilled. To ensure timely registration, students should initiate the site placement process at least one month before the intended start date. Registration will be finalized only after all requirements are met and practicum arrangements are verified by designated University personnel.
Prerequisites: 33 Child Studies credits, including CHS 437 and a 2.00 minimum GPA.