Program Overview

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Arts

Jessup’s School of Education develops educational leaders who reach with compassion, teach with excellence, and learn for lifelong impact. In partnership with, and by the grace of Christ, the school develops educators for leadership and scholarship regionally, nationally, and internationally in order to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development (BACD) program is designed to prepare students for a career in early childhood education including teaching at the Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten or 1st-3rd grades, leading church education programs, serving and leading on a mission field, or coaching. Students will focus their learning on early literacy skills for children ages 4-8 years old, exploring the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts through the lens of education and teaching. This degree also has the option to earn Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, where one can work as a preschool assistant teacher, preschool teacher, or preschool program director or work toward a Preschool to 3rd Grade Teaching Credential for the State of California (*Pending CCTC approval).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Engage and support all young children in learning.
• Create and maintain an effective environment for young children’s development and learning.
• Understand and organize core curriculum for young children’s learning.
• Plan instruction and design developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all young children.
• Assess and document young children’s development and learning.
• Develop as a professional early childhood educator.
• Demonstrate effective literacy and mathematics instruction for young children.
• Develop dispositions that exhibit the character of Christ.

PROGRAM SPECIALIZATIONS

• Infant/Toddler
• Preschool Director Leadership
• Special Education

CORE COURSES (29 units)

• Introduction to Child Development
• Principles and Practices In Early Childhood Education
• Introduction to Curriculum
• The Child, Family and Community
• Nutrition, Health and Safety in Children’s Programs
• The Child in a Diverse Society
• Early Childhood Education Literacy
• Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior
• Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts and Social Sciences (Fall only)
• Early Childhood Experiences in Math and Science (Fall only)
• Exploring Creative VAPA Expression by Children (Spring only)
• Early Childhood Education Practicum (Spring only)

CHILD DEVELOPMENT OPTIONAL SPECIALIZATIONS: Students can choose a specialization listed below.

• Infant/Toddler Specialization
  • Infant and Toddler Development
  • Infant and Toddler Programs
• Special Education Specialization
  • Survey of Special Education
  • Special Education Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs

FOR THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT/PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT, add the following:

• Admin I: Programs in Early Childhood
• Admin II: Personnel and Leadership
• Adult Supervision and Mentoring

FACULTY

Jessup's dedicated community of faculty, both full-time and adjunct, are here to walk alongside you, equipping you with the knowledge and values you'll need to establish a meaningful career, grow spiritually, and succeed in all areas of your life.

• Wendy Westsmith, Ed.D. Lead Faculty - Child Development; Assistant Professor - School of Education
• Nathan Herzog, Ph.D. Dean - School of Education
• Hervey Taylor, Ed.D. Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Professor - School of Education
• David Bills, M.A.Ed. Director of Teacher Credentialing; Field Experience Coordinator - School of Education
• Patrick McDougall, M.A.Ed. Assistant Professor - School of Education
• Daniel Nordaas, M.A.Ed. Lead Faculty - Liberal Studies; Assistant Professor, School of Education