Child Development Graduate Certificate

The graduate-level coursework leading to this certificate prepares professionals who are working in the field with advanced study directly related to their careers. This program equips students with a foundation of graduate-level knowledge and integrates that foundation with diverse topics that emerge as the most important concerns of professionals in the field. The program is designed to take a developmental perspective to address phenomena that pose challenges for professionals, such as facilitating emergent language and literacy, meeting children’s challenging behaviors, and child and programmatic assessment.

The Child Development Graduate Certificate is offered during Special Sessions. Please contact the Department of Psychology  (209-667-3386) or the Department of Extended Education (209-667-3111) for additional information.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding theoretical orientations, developmental foundations, major themes, current directions, and cultural and contextual issues in the field;
• Critically evaluating and applying scientific research to child development settings;
• Integrating developmental research findings and methodologies in settings with young children and families;
• Demonstrating culturally appropriate and unbiased models and practices;
• Describing the implications of varied contextual influences upon the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and adolescents;
• Demonstrating developmentally appropriate intervention strategies with children and families;
• Applying the principles of the field to workplace issues facing children, families, and professionals;
• Collecting data, writing and presenting APA styled research papers; and
• Articulating a worldview using theory, research, and developmental knowledge.

State of California Children’s Center Permits

California requires that individuals who serve as teachers and administrators of funded child development programs hold permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. See your academic adviser for coursework that is likely to meet these requirements. Applications for the Child Center Permit may be picked up at the University Credential Processing Center at Demergasso-Bava Hall 303.