Mar 29, 2024  
University Catalog 2019-2020 
    
University Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Child Development, B.A.


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The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development provides students with the opportunity to explore the relationship between theory, research, and practice. The curriculum reflects an interdisciplinary approach to the study of children and families, and the social contexts that influence development. A variety of opportunities for practicum experiences in school settings, community and recreational agencies, hospitals, and parent and family life education programs are available. These experiences provide students with direct contact with consumers and the organizations and professionals who work with children and families within the region. Opportunities for original research are available as well. The BA degree in Child Development also provides an excellent pathway to graduate programs in a number of fields.

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development includes a choice of two Degree Options: Option I, General Option, prepares students to work as administrators in preschools, day care centers or youth agencies or to gain entry into careers with children and families in early education, health, pediatric or community based settings. Graduates of the program are prepared for employment as early childhood educators/administrators, parent educators, Certified Family Life Educators, Child Life Specialists, youth agency workers, or case managers. Option II, a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)-approved Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Program, provides students a broad-based education in multiple subjects that provides a waiver of the California Subject Examinations For Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET:MS).

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, Option I, General Option, is 120, which includes 81-83 units in the major and 48 units in the General Education Program; because of overlap between major and General Education requirements, 0-12 free electives may be required to reach the degree total of 120 units. The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, Option II, Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation option, is 120 units. Option II requires 48 units in the Child Development Core, 6 units of Required Courses, 50 units of general education requirements, and 84 units of Elementary Subject Matter courses. Because Elementary Subject matter courses overlap with both the Child Development Core and General Education requirements, the total number of units required for the degree is 120.

For Major Specific Admissions Criteria go to http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/major-specific-criteria

Advisement

All students who intend to major in Child Development should meet with an advisor before the end of the second semester in residence to discuss program options and select a degree program. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses in the major program.  Information about the major and Department policies and procedures is available in the Child and Family Studies Department office and on the Department’s website.

Students seeking a credential should also consult the Charter College of Education to review the regulations and policies governing teaching credential programs.

Departmental Honors Program

The child development major includes an honors program for students who have completed at least 12 upper division units in the Child Development Core, maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average. Applications are available in the Child and Family Studies office E & T A-535.

Requirements for the Major (81-83 units)


Option I, the General Option, requires 48 units in the Child Development Core and 9 units of Required Courses.  Students select an additional 24-26 units from a menu of courses that provide preparation for specific career pathways. Option I requires a total of 120 units for completion, which includes 81-83 units in the major and 48 units of General Education coursework (39 units in lower division course work and 9 units in upper division course work); because some major courses overlap with general education requirements, students may also need 0 to 12 free elective units. If students use courses in the major to satisfy General Education requirements, they should consult with an advisor to determine the number of free elective units they will need to satisfy the 120 unit requirement.

 

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, Option II, Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation, is 120 units, which includes 48 units in the Child Development Core, 6 units of Required Courses, 50 units of General Education requirements, and 84 units of Elementary Subject Matter courses.  Students in Option II are subject to the standard General Education requirements; however, because many of the General Education courses also fulfill major and elementary subject matter requirements, they should only take the General Education courses listed in the requirements for Option II. 

 

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses in the General Option major and in all courses used to meet the major requirements for the Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option.

Options


Option I: General Option (120 units of which 81-83 are in the major)


Option I prepares students for employment in a variety of child and family focused educational, community, agency or pediatric settings, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate studies.

Students in Option 1 are required to take all courses in the Child Development Core (48 units) and in the list of Required Courses (9 units)

*Courses can also be counted towards General Education requirements.

**Open to honors program participants only

Electives and Career Pathway Courses (24-26 Units Required)


Students may select any 8 of the Advanced Topics Elective Courses. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to select electives that are consistent with their career goals and may choose to follow a specified Career Pathway, such as Applied Family Studies, Certified Family Life Education, Child Life, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood Education and Administration, or Youth Agency Administration.

Option II: Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option (120 units, of which 48 units are in the Child Development Core)


Option II prepares prospective teachers for grades K-8. Students in this option take required coursework that waives the three subtests of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET: MS). A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses and all Elementary Subject Matter courses. Students who select Option II must complete the following: 48 units of the Child Development Core, 6 units of Required Courses, 50 units of general education requirements, and 84 units of Elementary Subject Matter courses. Because Elementary Subject matter courses overlap with both the major and General Education requirements, the total number of units required for the degree is 120. Students in Option II are subject to the standard General Education requirements; however, because most of the General Education courses in this option also fulfill major and Elementary Subject Matter requirements, they should take the General Education courses listed below in the requirements for Option II. In addition to the requirements listed below under Option II, students will need two more upper division GE courses, one in Block B and one in Block C.

Students who wish to pursue a California Multiple Subject Teaching or Special Education Internship Credential should consult with advisors in the Office for Student Services in the Charter College of Education, usually in their junior year. Information regarding credential programs may be found in the Charter College of Education section in the Academic Programs: College-Based and University-Wide chapter for the regulations governing all Teacher Credential Programs. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses used to meet the major requirements for the Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option.

Child Development Core Courses (48 units)


Students will complete 48 units in the child development core; courses with an asterisk (*) must be taken to satisfy general education requirements. Courses with two asterisks (**) satisfy both child development core and elementary subject matter requirements, and the elementary subject matter content area is listed next to the course. Courses with three asterisks (***) are open to honors program participants only.

Elementary Subject Matter Courses (84 units)


Students in Option II must complete an additional 84 units to satisfy Elementary Subject Matter requirements. These courses are listed below by content areas. All of the courses listed below are outlined by content area, and must be completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to waive the CSET: MS. Courses with one asterisk (*) must be taken to satisfy general education requirements. Courses with two asterisks (**) satisfy elementary subject matter and child development core requirements, and are also listed above under the child development core courses.

Physical Education (2 units)


Concentration in Human Development (12 units)


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