The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development includes a choice of Two Options: Option I, which prepares students to work as administrators in preschools, day care centers or youth agencies or to gain entry into careers with children and families such as Child Life Specialist or Certified Family Life Educator; or, Option II, Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Program for the California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Students may elect to use Option II to complete the undergraduate degree program simultaneously with requirements for either a California Multiple Subject Teaching or Special Education Internship Credential.
The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, Option I, General Option, is 180, of which 101-104 units are in the major depending on specialization selected. Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including GE and free electives.
The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, Option II, Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation, is 102.
Students entering the program should plan their course work with a Child and Family Studies adviser. Students seeking a credential should also consult the Charter College of Education. Current information is available in the Child and Family Studies Office and on the Department’s web page.
Admission to the Program
There are two pathways for admission to the program, one for matriculated students and one for transfers.
Freshman students are admitted to the university as “Undeclared with an interest in Child Development”. Students need to meet the following requirements and be admitted to the major upon completion of 45 units.
- Completion of CHDV140 with a grade of “C” or better;
- Students who attain less than a “C” trade in CHDV 140 may repeat this course only once for the purpose of admission to the program;
- Completion of 36 quarter (24 semester) units of the 60 units of college general education coursework; and
- Students must possess a GPA of 2.5 or higher for admission to the major.
Continuing lower division students are eligible to apply to the Child Development major when they have completed 36 quarter (24 semester) of the 60 units of college general education courses. Furthermore, they must complete the following course: CHDV 140 with a grade of “C” or better. Students who attain less than a “C” grade may repeat CHDV 140 only once for the purpose of admission to the program.
Upper division transfer and continuing upper division students, who want to pursue a major in Child and Family Studies, need to meet the following admission criteria:
- A minimum cumulative college (transferable) GPA of 2.75 or higher;
- Completion of at least 90 quarter (60 semester) units of college (transferable) coursework;
- Completion of CHDV 140 (or the equivalent content courses taken at other educational institutions) with a grade of “C” or better; and
- Students who attain less than a “C” grade in CHDV 140 may repeat this course only once for the purpose of admission to the program.
Students entering the program should plan their course work with a Child and Family Studies advisor. Students who transfer into CSULA seeking admission to the Child Development major are required to have completed all the General Education courses required for transfer. Students seeking a credential should also consult the Charter College of Education. Child Development majors are required to meet regularly with a department advisor concerning CHDV requirements. Child development courses with less than a “C” grade can only be repeated once. Current information is available in the Child and Family Studies office and on the Department’s web page.
Departmental Honors Program
The child development major includes an honors program for students who have completed at least 16 upper division units in the Child Development core, maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average, passed the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement, and are recommended and approved by the Child and Family Studies advisers. Applications are available in the Child and Family Studies office E & T 535.