Bachelor of Science, Major in Family and Consumer Sciences with Emphasis in Child Development

at Pittsburg State University USA

The PSU School of Construction's mission is to provide a quality construction education and develop professional leaders for the construction industry through extensive recruitment, real-world education and successful placement. We strive to improve the community through service, economic development and applied research.

Our vision is to be an innovative leader in an effective, people-centered, collaborative, accessible learning environment maximizing the potential of construction students, faculty and industry constituents.

The Department of Psychology and Counseling has placed its graduates in schools, businesses, agencies and hospitals throughout the region, as well as provided teachers for two and four year colleges. The department enjoys a strong relationship with area mental health agencies, with many private and governmental establishments acting as training sites for students, and using department faculty and advanced graduate students as consultants. PSU is the only school within a 100 mile radius that provides graduate training in counseling, psychology and school psychology. Additionally, no other university in Kansas has an integrated psychology and counseling department, allowing the department to offer comprehensive, in-depth programs in each area and providing students with the opportunity to experience the best in both disciplines.

Psychology and the Military - Emphasis
As a part of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, the Psychology and Military concentration area provides an educational foundation for those interested in a career in the helping field in general, but is specifically designed for those interested in working with active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. Graduates will stand ready to gain civilian employment for Department of Defense programs (GS 5 and higher) across the nation that provide human and social services, instructional and educational services as well as services related to human resources for both Military Service members and Military Civilian Corps. This emphasis also provides an educational foundation for those who intend to pursue a graduate degree.

The Department of Physics at Pittsburg State University was founded in 1962 and has been dedicated to the outstanding teaching of undergraduate and graduate physics students ever since. Our faculty members are trained in a wide variety of physics-related fields and have industrial and research laboratory experience. We pride ourselves in getting to know our students and helping them through their years of academic growth at PSU.

Astrophysics - Emphasis
A Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with an Emphasis in Astrophysics features the core courses of a professional physics degree but includes specialized courses in astrophysics as electives. This combination prepares students for advanced training in graduate school in either astronomy or astrophysics.

We have undergraduate programs covering the range of modern biology including: pre-health (pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-vet, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant), medical technology, cell and molecular biology, wildlife biology, fisheries and aquatic sciences, botany, ecology, and secondary education.

There are almost 400 students in the undergraduate program and about 20 in the graduate division. The Department of Biology has 13 full-time faculty with a wide range of interests. The faculty are dedicated and committed to Pittsburg State University and the department, but most importantly, to students. Most faculty are actively engaged in research activities, national professional organizations, and professional service.

Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Emphasis
Explore the fascinating diversity of aquatic ecosystems and discover practical solutions to real-world issues as part of the Pittsburg State University Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program. The emphasis in the Department of Biology gives students the opportunities for hands-on, interactive research into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and all of their living inhabitants.

Students in this program work alongside professional biologists on a wide range of projects focused important environmental issues such as disease, pollution, preservation, and restoration of aquatic habitats.

Aspiring aquatic scientists and those inspired to serve in state and federal resource agencies should strongly consider the Pittsburg State University Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences emphasis.

The PSU School of Construction's mission is to provide a quality construction education and develop professional leaders for the construction industry through extensive recruitment, real-world education and successful placement. We strive to improve the community through service, economic development and applied research.

Our vision is to be an innovative leader in an effective, people-centered, collaborative, accessible learning environment maximizing the potential of construction students, faculty and industry constituents.

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) is located in the new Student Recreation Center. The HHPR faculty possess a wide array of specializations. The department offers undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science, Recreation Services, Sport and Hospitality Management, and Physical Education, five minors and certificates in Dance, Coaching, and Hospitality Management, as well as a graduate program in HHPR. Within each of the degree programs, there are emphases/concentration areas from which students select the professional paths that best fit their needs.

Therapeutic Recreation - Emphasis
The Therapeutic Recreation emphasis prepares students for supervisory and leadership positions in various hospital, private and community-based organizations delivering care as recreation therapists to individuals with various disabilities and ability levels.  Recreational therapists work with a variety of individuals requiring health services such as: physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental and behavioral health, addictions, veterans and developmental disabilities.  Students completing the Therapeutic Recreation emphasis allows them to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Exam.

The School of Construction offers a comprehensive sequence of courses in Environmental and Safety Management. This broad-based program exposes students to several aspects of environmental and workplace safety.

Environmental and Safety Management program is on the list of national board-approved programs. A student earning an environmental and safety management degree from a board-approved institution is automatically qualified for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential offered by the ISHM.

The Department of Family & Consumer Sciences offers baccalaureate degrees and a cooperative master’s degree program. B.S. programs are offered in Nutrition and Wellness, Community and Family Services, and two tracks in Child Development. A B.S.E. program is offered in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. The department has an Early Childhood Unified: Birth - Kindergarten program. The department offers minors in Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Ecology, Nutrition and Wellness, and Youth and Adolescent Development. The department also contributes to minors in Women’s Studies and Public Health. 

Community and Family Services - Emphasis
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Pittsburg State University is one of two Family and Consumer Sciences programs in Kansas and is known for getting students involved in professional development opportunities that will lead to employment across the nation. The students who select the Community and Family Services emphasis are known for their involvement with the KAFCS student organization.

We have undergraduate programs covering the range of modern biology including: pre-health (pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-vet, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant), medical technology, cell and molecular biology, wildlife biology, fisheries and aquatic sciences, botany, ecology, and secondary education.

There are almost 400 students in the undergraduate program and about 20 in the graduate division. The Department of Biology has 13 full-time faculty with a wide range of interests. The faculty are dedicated and committed to Pittsburg State University and the department, but most importantly, to students. Most faculty are actively engaged in research activities, national professional organizations, and professional service.

Biology
There are three options available to students interested in obtaining a Master of Science Degree with a Major in Biology from PSU (see degree options below). Typically, master's degrees are obtained within two years of matriculation. Individual master's programs are developed by the student in consultation with his or her faculty advisor and a graduate committee. Areas of study depend on the research interests of individual faculty. A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships are available each year in the Department of Biology. These provide a small stipend and valuable teaching experience. Assignments are usually made in the laboratory sections of undergraduate courses. When students are accepted into the graduate program, they receive an application for an assistantship with the admission information packet.

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) is located in the new Student Recreation Center. The HHPR faculty possess a wide array of specializations. The department offers undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science, Recreation Services, Sport and Hospitality Management, and Physical Education, five minors and certificates in Dance, Coaching, and Hospitality Management, as well as a graduate program in HHPR. Within each of the degree programs, there are emphases/concentration areas from which students select the professional paths that best fit their needs.

Community and Worksite Wellness -  Emphasis
An emphasis in Community and Worksite Wellness prepares students to advocate and create a culture of wellness both in a community setting as well as the workplace. Wellness coordinators often focus on healthy eating, physical activity, reduction in tobacco use, stress management, fitness programs, use of preventive screenings, programs and services, and improved physical environments, such as walking paths, healthy food choices, and nutritional information provided on site.

The job outlook for Health Educators and Community Health Workers is expected to grow much faster than average (16% from 2016-2026) as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor).