CFLE - Family Studies - Towson University

Department of Family Studies and Community Development

Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)

The Department of Family Studies and Community Development is affiliated with the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), the only national program to certify family life educators. Family studies undergraduate coursework has been approved by the Council as meeting the criteria needed for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. After completing the required coursework, students are considered proficient in the ten Family Life Education Content Areas and may apply for provisional certification. Provisional CFLEs may achieve full certification as soon as they document sufficient work experience in family life education. CFLEs with a family-specific degree at the bachelor's level need at least 3,200 hours.

The objective of family life education is to enrich and improve the quality of individual and family life. Family life educators bring family research and best practice to individuals, couples, families, and parents via an educational approach in an effort to build strengths and avert problems.

National Council on Family Relations

Why Become a Certified Family Life Educator?
It provides recognition of education and understanding in the ten Family Life Content Areas. Also, the certification standards help to increase awareness of family life education as a profession.

Required Coursework

NCFR Content Area	Approved Coursework for Abbreviated Application (Grade of A, B, or C)
1. Families and Individuals in Societal Contexts	FMST 101 Introduction to Family Studies and FMST 303 Trends in Contemporary Family Life
2. Internal Dynamics of Families	FMST 301 Family Relationships and FMST 302 Theories of Family Functioning
3. Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan	PSYC 203 Human Development
4. Human Sexuality	HLTH 220 Sexuality in a Diverse Society
5. Interpersonal Relationships	FMST 301 Family Relationships and FMST 297 Preparing Human Service Workers (COMM 115 Interpersonal Comm is approved substitute for FMST 297 if taken in 2006 or earlier)
6. Family Resource Management	FMST 201 Family Resources
7. Parent Education and Guidance	EDUC 201 Parenting Process or FMST 305 Parent Child Relationships Across the Lifespan
8. Family Law and Public Policy	FMST 303 Trends in Contemporary Family Life and FMST 380 Family Law
9. Professional Ethics and Practice	FMST 297 Preparing Human Service Workers
10. Family Life Education Methodology	FMST 387 Community Services for Families and FMST 485 Research Methods and FSMT 490 Senior Seminar
Internship/Practicum	FMST 397 Internship in Family Studies

How to Apply
A Provisional Certified Family Life Educator application checklist, abbreviated application form, and directions are available below or in the Family Studies & Community Development Office in the College of Liberal Arts Building, Suite 2210.

Department of Family Studies and Community Development
College of Liberal Arts Building, Suite 2210
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-5851
Fax: 410-704-3612
E-mail: fmst@towson.edu


	• Seven recent Family Studies graduates were provisionally certified as Family Life Educators between January and March 2013. Congratulations to the new CFLEs!