Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Child and Adolescent Development offers an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary undergraduate degree program focusing on the study of human development from conception through emerging adulthood. The degree program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development. Students elect to complete the option in Applied Developmental Science or the option in Early Childhood Development.

Program Description

The option in Applied Developmental Science emphasizes the analysis and synthesis of classic and contemporary research in the interest of promoting positive developmental outcomes spanning conception through early adulthood. Students in this option explore theories, concepts, and phenomena relevant to the development of individuals and social systems, including the wide range of familial, biological, societal, cultural, physical, ecological, political, and historical settings of human development.

The option in Early Childhood Development develops a strong foundation of content knowledge and practical skills applicable to working with young children (i.e., conception through age 7). Students in this option have the opportunity to complete all of the requirements for the Child Development Permit (credential required for preschool teachers, administrators, and childcare professionals) during the degree program. Many students in this option may choose to add the Minor in Child-Care Administration without delaying completion of the degree.

Program Requirements

1. Lower Division Required Courses (15-16 units)

• Complete all of the following:
  • CADV 150 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development (3)
  • CADV 180 Statistics in Applied Developmental Science (3) or MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)
  • CADV 250 Professional Pathways and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development (3)
  • FCS 234 The Child in the Family and Community (3)
  • HSCI 131 Health and Society (3)

2. Additional Requirements (41 units)

a. Applying Theory to Practice (9 units)

• CADV 311 Charting Your Future: Advanced Strategies for Crafting a Career and Professional Identity (3)
• CADV 350 Applied Cognitive Development (3)
• CADV 352 Applied Social Development (3)

b. Modes of Inquiry (8 units)

• CADV 380/L Methods of Child and Adolescent Study and Lab I (3/1)
• Choose one of the following:
  • CADV 381/L Methods of Child and Adolescent Study and Lab II (3/1)
  • FCS 431/FCS 431L Child and Family Assessment and Lab (3/1)

c. Cultural/Linguistic Contexts of Development (3 units)

• CADV 460 Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Culture in Development (3)

d. Early Childhood Education Pedagogy and Curriculum (3 units)

• Choose one of the following:
  • ART 383/L Art in Early Childhood and Lab (2/1)
  • ART 385/L Children's Crafts and Lab (2/1)
  • CADV 406/L/RTM 406/L Enhancing Childhood Creativity and Lab (2/1)
  • EPC 430 Development and Learning in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • MUS 361/L Music Literature for Children and Lab (2/1)
  • MUS 362/L Music for Early Childhood and Lab (2/1)

e. Capstone Requirement (3 units)

• CADV 470 Advanced Theories in Child and Adolescent Development (3)

f. Practitioner-Based Skills (15 units)

Practitioner-Based Skills may include 300- and 400-level CADV courses not already taken to satisfy other requirements in the major.

3. General Education (43 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.

4. Campus Requirements (6 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the theories, concepts, developmental processes, and empirical approaches in the scientific study of child and adolescent development from diverse perspectives across the domains of physical, cognitive, and social development.
2. Apply and integrate theoretical, research-based, and evidence-based knowledge.
3. Analyze and synthesize theories, constructs, and processes of child and adolescent development through university-level academic writing and oral presentations.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based strategies of culturally competent practice/pedagogy relevant in a culturally pluralistic and linguistically diverse society.
5. Demonstrate information literacy/competence through effectively utilizing media sources and complying with the ethics of manipulating and presenting information.
6. Describe, critique, and practice various empirical methodologies used to study child and adolescent development, including design, data analysis, and interpretation.
7. Develop and describe an individualized postbaccalaureate plan to pursue a professional career, including related issues such as identifying short- and long-term goals, developing professional networks, engaging in career exploration/planning, and identifying prospective advanced degree/training programs and overall long-term success as a professional.

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree

The total units required for the B.A. degree in Child and Adolescent Development is 120 units.