Aug 31, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]


Baccalaureate Degree Requirements Advising Sheet

Child Development B.A.



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View information for the Child Development Program , including Learning Objectives.

It is strongly suggested you consult a CDEV academic advisor as you develop your academic plan. View the degree program Roadmaps, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. 

The program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development provides students with a background of knowledge and skills in child growth and development. The degree is delivered by the Department of Psychology and Child Development. Courses are selected from child development and related fields and include laboratory and field experiences at the Stanislaus State Child Development Center (CDC) as well as other applied settings.  The Child Development major is designed to prepare students for professional occupations with children and families as well as to prepare students to pursue advanced studies or research careers.

The Child Development Major is organized around six broad competencies-child development knowledge/foundations; the research process; legal, ethical, and pragmatic issues; professionalism; developmentally-appropriate practices; and integration of a personal/professional worldview.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Development: Students will communicate a basic knowledge of developmental theories and current research findings as they apply to children’s and adolescents’ social, emotional, language, cognitive, and physical development. Students will understand implications for practice, supporting children and families’ overall health and wellness. 

  2. Relationships: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to foster a positive network of relationships and contribute to reciprocal relationships between children, adolescents, their families, and professionals. 
     
  3. Diversity: Students will identify strength-based, family-centered, and collaborative practices to support children and families of diverse backgrounds, such as families from various contextual, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, children with special needs, dual language learners.  
     
  4. Research: Students will demonstrate information competency, the ability to critically evaluate research, and an understanding of research and developmental methods as well as ethical issues related to doing research with children. Students will understand the importance of observation and documentation for use in assessment and application of research into practice. 
     
  5. Professionalism & Ethics: Students will be aware of child and family rights and use reflective practices demonstrating professional and ethical behavior while advocating for children, families, colleagues and the profession, working effectively with others to negotiate differences, and facilitating the development of common goals. 

The Major

All students are expected to:

  1. Complete the prerequisites to the major;
  2. Complete the core of required courses;
  3. Complete one of the program pathways described below; and
  4. Complete the capstone senior seminar and co-requisite internship.

Program Pathways

Three professional pathways are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and abilities:

  1. Child Learning and Education Pathway - prepares professionals as teachers and administrators of child development programs and elementary schools, curriculum specialists, program evaluators, recreational leaders, and other professionals that work with children and families in the community.
     
  2. Child and Family Services Pathway - prepares professionals to meet the social welfare and guidance needs of young children, parents, families, and the community in agencies, parent education programs, foster care, etc.
     
  3. A General Pathway - is available for those students who wish to tailor their academic programs to a particular developmental focus. A general track pathway plan of thematically related units must be developed with the student’s CDEV academic adviser and submitted for the Child Development Committee’s approval prior to completion of coursework. The requirements for the General Pathway are shown in the catalog sections that follow and on the general track pathway plan form.

Senior Capstone Experience

The Child Development major culminates in a senior seminar and internship experience related to the student’s career goals.  These classes provide opportunities for students to work side-by-side with professionals while developing a worldview and documentation of their accomplishment of program competencies. These courses culminate the student’s educational plan; students may not take these courses until they have met all prerequisites.

Requirements


1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.


A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Units and Residency  (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
  2. Grade Point Average  (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
  3. General Education  (minimum of 49 units)
  4. Upper Division Writing Proficiency  (minimum of 3 units)
    - Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
  5. United States Constitution and California State and Local Government  (minimum of 3 units)
  6. Multicultural Requirement  (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Child Development Transfer Waiver


Community College transfer students with:

  • an Associate of Arts (AA or AA-T) or Associate of Science (AS or AS-T) in Child Development or Early Childhood Education
    OR 
  • 18 units of Child Development of Early Childhood Education units from a community college 

May qualify for the Child Development Transfer Waiver. Students are waived automatically from CDEV 3140 Human Development I - Childhood (3 units) and Child Development pathway non-CDEV elective (3 units). The Transfer Waiver reduces the Child Development Major by 6 units. 

3. Grading Requirements for Major Courses


Child Development majors must take all courses counted toward the major for a letter grade if the letter grade option is available. In addition, no more than 6 units of credit-graded coursework may apply toward the major. In addition, all courses counted toward the major, including prerequisites, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher (or Credit for credit-graded coursework).

4. Fieldwork and Internships


A maximum of 9 units of combined coursework in fieldwork and internships, exclusive of CDEV 4948 - Child Development Senior Internship , may be counted toward the major with approval by the major adviser.

Notes:


a. Prerequisites to the Graduate program in Child Development at Stanislaus State include a minimum of 15 units of upper-division child development coursework with a GPA of 3.0.  Suggested content includes statistics, upper-division child development theory, developmental research methods, and prevention and reporting of child abuse.  Child development laboratory courses or supervised professional work experience is desirable.

The Child Development Major


(36 units)

1. Complete the following required upper-division core:


Courses may not cross count with any other part of CDEV major. 

(24 units)

a. Complete BOTH of the following foundation courses as soon as possible after declaring your major:


(4 units)

b. Select TWO of the following development-based courses:


(6 units)

c. Complete ONE of the following research-based courses:


(3 units)

d. Select ONE of the following lifespan courses:


(3 units)

e. Select ONE of the following family courses:


(3 units)

f. Complete fieldwork:


(1 unit)

g. Complete BOTH of the following capstone courses in your final semester:


(4 units)

2. Complete ONE of the following pathways:


(12 units)

a. Child Learning and Education Pathway


(12 units)

i. Complete BOTH of the following courses (courses cannot cross-count elsewhere in the major) (at least 6 units):

ii. Complete 6 units of the additional coursework (at least 3 units must be a CDEV course; non-CDEV course waived with an approved CDEV Transfer Waiver; courses cannot cross-count elsewhere in the major):

b. Child and Family Services Pathway


 (12 units)

i. Complete 6 units of the following courses (3 units must be a CDEV course; courses cannot cross-count elsewhere in the major):

ii. Complete 6 units of additional coursework (at least 3 units must be a CDEV course; non-CDEV course waived with an approved CDEV Transfer Waiver; courses cannot cross-count elsewhere in the major):

c. General Pathway


(12 units)

 

i. In consultation with a CDEV advisor, select at least 9 units of CDEV courses that includes 3 units of CDEV fieldwork or a CDEV application course; 3 units can be a non-CDEV course (non-CDEV course waived with an approved CDEV Transfer Waiver).

General Pathway must be pre-approved by the Child Development Committee.

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