DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY B. A.
& Certificate in Family Life Education

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Developmental Psychology Major
Certificate in Family Life Education
Curriculum
FAQs

Contact Information

Dr. Libby Balter Blume, CFLE
Department of Psychology
Office: Reno 208
Phone:(313) 578-0446
FAX: (313) 578-0507
E-Mail: blumelb@udmercy.edu

What Professional Opportunities are Available for Graduates?

Developmental Psychology graduates and CFLEs are consultants, directors, educators, and coordinators in such settings as:

• Family Life Centers
• Social Services Agencies
• Preschool/Child Care
• Health Care Programs
• Child Life Programs
• Recreation Centers
• Adult/ Continuing Education
• Family and Youth Centers
• Church or Parish Programs
• Community Action Agencies
• Military Family Support
• Parent Education
• Family Service Agencies
• Afterschool Programs
• Adult Day Care
• Geriatric Programs
• Agricultural Extension

Major in Developmental Psychology
The Developmental Psychology major is designed to prepare graduates for work in child and family programs such as child and adolescent development specialists, child or elder care providers, family services workers, parenting educators, child life workers and family relations consultants. In addition, students can earn a Family Life Educator Certificate (CFLE) from the National Council on Family Relations by completing our Approved Program.

Developmental Psychology Major 35-40 cr.
PYC 100 Introductory Psychology 3 cr.
PYC 233 Human Relationships and Guidance 3 cr.
PYC 250 Developmental Psychology 3 cr.
PYC 351 Family Development 3 cr.
PYC 440 Cross-Cultural Socialization 3 cr.
PYC 451 Psychology of Death and Dying 3 cr.
PYC 473 Basic Practicum 1-5 cr.
PYC 491 Research in Developmental Psychology 3 cr.

One of the following: 4 cr.
PYC 360-61 Social Psychology
PYC 407 Physiological Psychology

Two of the following: 6 cr.
PYC 234 Infancy/Early Childhood Development
PYC 236 Middle Childhood/Adolescent Development
PYC 256 Adult Development and Aging

One of the following: 3 cr.
STA 225 Elementary Statistics
PYC 301 Experimental Psychology
PYC 341 Psychology of Personality

Required core and supporting courses for Family Life Educator Certification. (See Developmental Psychology advisor.)

Certificate in Family Life Education
A Certified Family Life Educator has skills and knowledge to enrich individual and family life. He/she has studied how families work; the interrelationship of families and society; human growth and development throughout the life span; the physiological and psychological aspects of human sexuality; the impact of money management on daily family life; the importance and value of parent education; the effects of policy and legislation on families; the ethical considerations in professional conduct; how to teach and develop family life curricula.

Students who have completed the CFLE requirements are eligible for provisional certification from the National Council on Family Relations upon earning the B.A. degree and for full certification after working for 2 years post-degree in a family-related field. Developmental Psychology is an Approved Program of the National Council on Family Relations.

Certificate in Family Life Education - 24 credits*
With a Developmental Psychology major, students may elect to complete NCFR's Approved Program in Certified Family Life Education. Students with other UDM majors or Bachelor degrees from other institutions must complete the full Approved Program (pdf) (39 credits)

Developmental Psychology Courses (15 credits included in the major)
PYC 233 Human Relationships and Guidance
PYC 250 Lifespan Development
PYC 351 Family Development
PYC 440 Cross-Cultural Socialization
PYC 473 Practicum in Family Life Education

UDM Core Courses (6 credits)
PYS 275 Human Sexuality (Core 5D)
ETH 359 Ethics and Public Policy (Core 6A)
CJS 483 Family Violence or ADS 417 Chemical Dependence (Core 6B)

Required Supporting Courses (15 credits)
ADS 436 Family Theory and Therapy
BUS 290 Personal Finance
CST 204 Interpersonal Communication
HUS 422 Ethics in Human Services
LA 230 Family Law

* Students with other UDM majors or bachelor degrees from other institutions must complete the full approved program (39 credits).

FAQs

Why Become a CFLE?

• Certification is recognition of your understanding in each of the family life content areas:
  • Internal Dynamics of Families
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Human Sexuality
  • Interpersonal Relationsjips
  • Family Resource Management
  • Parent Education and Guidance
  • Family Law and Public Policy
  • Ethics
  • Family Life Education Methodology
• Certification increases your credibility as a professional by showing that the high standards and criteria needed to provide quality family life education have been met.
• Certification provides avenues for networking with other family life educators both locally and nationally through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).
• The National Council on Family Relations sponsors this national program to certify family life educators. University of Detroit Mercy's Developmental Psychology Program has been approved so that graduates can receive certification by submitting their transcripts to NCFR.