Information about the Department of Child and Family Studies

Office

Location: Engineering and Technology A535
Phone: (323) 343-4590
E-mail: cfsdept@calstatela.edu
Website: Department of Child and Family Studies

Chair

Name: Jessica M. Dennis
Email: jdennis@calstatela.edu
Phone: (323) 343-4677

The Faculty

Professor: Jessica Dennis (Chair), Rakel Delevi, Allison Fuligni, Claudia Kouyoumdjian, Ya-fen Lo, Simona Montanari
Associate Professor: Edward Lopez,  Jessica Morales-Chicas, Ashley Munger
Assistant Professors: Su-Jeong Wee
Emeriti: Rita Ledesma, Marlene Zepeda

Overview

The Department of Child and Family Studies prepares individuals to understand the relationship between theory, research, and practice and to apply this knowledge to issues in child and family studies. Students are prepared to think critically about child and family developmental processes by identifying relevant issues, developing practical solutions, and applying and disseminating knowledge. The department prepares professionals in the discipline who seek to improve the quality of life for individuals, children, and families.

Child Development, the empirical study of the growth and development of the individual from birth through adolescence, provides a foundation of understanding and skill for students interested in professional careers related to working with children and families. It prepares students for advanced study of child and family development as well as for professional education courses leading to the Multiple Subject teaching credential and Special Education credentials.

Students with a background in child and family development are able to pursue professional opportunities in many fields including infant daycares, preschools, and after school programs; elementary school teaching; working with children in hospitals; developing social and educational programs outside of schools; working with parents and families; production of children’s books, films, and magazines; educational television; children’s toys and educational software and games; and child advocacy at local, state, and national levels.

Mission Statement

The Department prepares students to become developmental science leaders who support the well-being of children, families, and communities in diverse settings. Recognizing the impact of systemic oppression across development, our emerging leaders learn to employ ethical, strengths-based practices for addressing social inequities and promoting resilience. Students are trained to think and write critically about human and family development through identifying and solving real-world problems, advocating for individuals and families, and disseminating knowledge.

Programs

• Child Development, B.A.

• Minor in Child Development

• Child Development, M.A.

Courses

• CHDV 5000 - Advanced Developmental Science
• CHDV 5060 - Seminar in Social Development and Resiliency
• CHDV 5080 - Research Methods
• CHDV 5081 - Analytical Methods
• CHDV 5090 - Cognition and Language Development
• CHDV 5100 - Special Topics in Child Development
• CHDV 5950 - Graduate Field Work
• CHDV 5960 - Comprehensive Examination
• CHDV 5980 - Graduate Directed Study
• CHDV 5990 - Thesis
• CHDV 5995 - Project

• CHDV 1200 - Intimate Relationships in Our Diverse Society (also listed as SOC 1200)
• CHDV 1400 - Development Across the Lifespan (Conception to Adolescence)
• CHDV 1410 - Development Across the Lifespan (Adulthood and Aging)
• CHDV 2000 - Techniques for the Study of Children
• CHDV 2100 - Infant Development
• CHDV 2200 - The Young Child
• CHDV 2250 - Ethnic Identity and Awareness in Children and Families
• CHDV 2300 - Program Design in Early Childhood
• CHDV 2310 - Administration of Preschool and Day Care Programs
• CHDV 2500 - Child, Family, and Community
• CHDV 3000 - Child Development Research Methods and Critical Analysis
• CHDV 3210 - Urban Families and Resilience
• CHDV 3400 - Middle Childhood and Adolescence
• CHDV 3410 - Development in Adulthood and Aging
• CHDV 3420 - Development of Sexuality across the Lifespan
• CHDV 3430 - Child and Adolescent Cognition
• CHDV 3440 - Family Resource and Case Management
• CHDV 3470 - Culture and Wellness across the Lifespan
• CHDV 3480 - Fatherhood and the Child Development Cycle
• CHDV 3500 - Social and Emotional Development
• CHDV 3720 - American Indian Families (also listed as CLS 3720)
• CHDV 3730 - Asian Americans, Families, and Community (also listed as AAAS 3730)
• CHDV 3750 - Health Disparities in Urban Communities (also listed as CLS 3750, PH 3750)
• CHDV 3780 - Graduate School and Professional Development Training
• CHDV 4120 - Issues in Child Abuse, Interpersonal Violence
• CHDV 4240 - Effects of Family Transitions on Children
• CHDV 4260 - The Hospitalized Child
• CHDV 4270 - Disability Across the Lifespan
• CHDV 4290 - Family Interactions and Communication
• CHDV 4300 - Parent-Child Development Over the Family Life Cycle
• CHDV 4360 - Family Stress and Resilience: Cultural Considerations
• CHDV 4440 - Family Life Education Methods and Professional Ethics
• CHDV 4460 - Therapeutic Play and Play Therapy
• CHDV 4540L - Special Topics in Child Development
• CHDV 4700 - The Family and the Law
• CHDV 4800 - Loss and Grief Experiences in Families
• CHDV 4920 - Language Development (also listed as COMD 4560)
• CHDV 4930 - Second Language Acquisition in Childhood
• CHDV 4950 - Directed Field Experience
• CHDV 4960 - Senior Seminar
• CHDV 4980 - Cooperative Education
• CHDV 4990 - Undergraduate Directed Study