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Child Development
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Gayle E. Hutchinson
Child Development Program
Modoc Hall 216
530-898-5250
e-mail:
chld@csuchico.edu
http://www.csuchico.edu/chld/
Coordinator:
Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development
Strategic Learning Priorities
Students in the child development program will become knowledgeable in six areas:
1. Foundations of Child Development
Students will understand the theoretical, empirical, and philosophical foundations of the discipline. In addition, students will apply their knowledge while working with children, families, and professionals.
2. Child Assessment and Study
Students will understand, perform, and appreciate multiple forms of child assessment. Students will be able to use qualitative and quantitative methods of assessing children. They will be able to use the information to help identify a child's strengths and develop, implement, and evaluate plans of intervention to resolve areas of need.
3. Programs for Children and Families
Students will understand model programs for both children and families and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum activities. Students will evaluate the impact and efficacy of these programs for children, families, and communities.
4. Professional Qualities
Students will understand professionalism by demonstrating knowledge, attitudes, and skills of those individuals who are committed to understanding and working with children and families. They will demonstrate mastery of communication (reading, writing, listening, computer, and speaking skills), leadership, research, assessment and evaluation, and collaboration skills.
5. Critical Thinking Skills
Students will demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply scientific methods of thinking (including logic and empirical reasoning) about children, families, and their well being. Students will differentiate between their personal and subjective theories about children's development and scientific theories of development rooted in empirical research and based on best practices. In addition, students will demonstrate both currency in information techonology appropriate to the discipline and an understanding of the ethical use of such technology.
6. Developmental Context
Students will understand the multiple environmental contexts in which children grow and develop. Students will appreciate and interpret how social class, parents, families, peers, types of children's programs, culture, societal changes, and communities influence the course of development.
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units
See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information at http://em.csuchico.edu/aap/ProgramSearch.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See "General Education Requirements" in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units
See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.
Literacy Requirement:
See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.
Course Requirements for the Major: 55 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the major core program requirements.
Major Core Program: 40 units
Foundation Core: 6 units
2 courses required:
| CHLD | 250 | Child Development | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 251 | Observational Techniques | 3.0 | FS |
Core I: 9 units
Must be completed prior to taking CHLD 392.
2 courses required:
| CHLD | 282 | Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for Children: Theory to Practice | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 353 | Methods of Inquiry in Child Development | 3.0 | FS WP |
1 course selected from:
| HCSV | 363 | Child Health | 3.0 | FS * |
| HCSV | 450 | Health Education for Elementary School Teachers | 3.0 | FS |
| NFSC | 100 | Basic Nutrition | 3.0 | FS * |
Core II: 13 units
Must be completed prior to taking CHLD 492 or CHLD 495.
1 course selected from:
| BIOL | 303 | Human Genetics | 3.0 | FS * |
| BIOL | 318 | Biology of Childhood | 3.0 | FS * |
3 courses required:
| CHLD | 382 | Professional Seminar in Child Development: Current Issues | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 392 | Child Development Practicum | 4.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 440 | Issues in Assessment for Children and Families | 3.0 | FS |
Core III: 12 units
The Child: 6 units
2 courses selected from:
| CHLD | 350 | Prenatal-Infant Development | 3.0 | SP |
| CHLD | 354 | The School-Aged Child | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 357 | Adolescent Development | 3.0 | FA |
| PSYC | 353 | Learning in the Young Child | 3.0 | FS |
| PSYC | 355 | Survey of Child and Adolescent Psychology | 3.0 | FS |
| PSYC | 456 | Advanced Child Psychology | 3.0 | FS |
The Family: 3 units
1 course selected from:
| CHLD | 255 | Marriage and Family Relationships | 3.0 | FS * |
| CHLD | 355 | Children, Families, and Social Policy | 3.0 | Inq |
| CHLD | 455 | Seminar in Family Relations | 3.0 | FS |
| PHIL | 323 | Moral Issues in Parenting | 3.0 | FS * |
| SOCI | 235 | Contemporary Families | 3.0 | FA * |
The Society and Culture: 3 units
1 course selected from:
| PSYC | 151 | Socio-Cultural Context of Psychological Development | 3.0 | FS * |
| PSYC | 341 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3.0 | FS * GC |
This course is also offered as MCGS 341.
| SOCI | 360 | Self and Society | 3.0 | Inq |
Professional Core: 6 units
Before you enroll in the professional core, you must complete Core I and Core II as described above.
1 course required:
| CHLD | 492 | Child Development Practice: Children and Families | 3.0 | FS |
1 course selected from:
| CHLD | 495 | Senior Seminar in Child Development | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 495H | Senior Seminar in Child Development - Honors | 3.0 | FS |
Depth Core: 9 units
See academic advisor for recommended courses focused on student interests and professional preparation.
9 units selected from:
| ARTS | 493 | Development of Children's Art (P-8) | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| ARTS | 494 | Development of Adolescent's Art (9-12) | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 456 | Administration of Child Development Programs | 3.0 | FA |
| CHLD | 462 | Adult Supervision in Child Development Programs | 3.0 | SP |
| CHLD | 499H | Honors Independent Study | 3.0 | FS |
| CHLD | 551 | Staff and Family Relations | 3.0 | SP |
| EDTE | 302 | Access and Equity in Education | 3.0 | FS |
| ENGL | 230 | Introduction to Technical Writing | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| HCSV | 579 | Grant Writing and Other Fundraising Strategies | 3.0 | FS |
| HCSV | 321 | Community Health | 3.0 | FS |
| HCSV | 368 | Women's Health | 3.0 | FS * |
This course is also offered as NURS 368, and WMST 368.
| MGMT | 303 | Survey of Management | 3.0 | FS |
| MGMT | 304 | Human Resource Management | 3.0 | FS |
| MUSC | 326 | Music for Children | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| MUSC | 327 | Music for Early Childhood | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| MUSC | 328 | Music in Recreation | 3.0 | FS |
| KINE | 302 | Foundations of Childhood Physical Education | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| KINE | 303 | Motor Development in Children | 3.0 | FS |
| KINE | 315 | Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 454 | Legal Research | 3.0 | FS |
| POLS | 489K | Internship in Legal Studies | 1.0 | -3.0 FS |
| PSYC | 573 | Counseling Psychology | 3.0 | FS |
| RDGL | 354 | Literature for Young Children | 3.0 | Inq |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| RDGL | 554 | Literature for Children | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| THEA | 311 | Children's Literature in Performance | 3.0 | FS |
| SOCI | 230 | Women in Contemporary Societies | 3.0 | FA * |
This course is also offered as WMST 230.
| SOCI | 335 | Women, Work, and Family | 3.0 | SP * |
| SOCI | 484 | Youth, Crime, and Delinquency | 3.0 | SP |
| SPED | 343 | Overview of Special Education | 3.0 | FS |
OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)
| PSYC | 457 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3.0 | FS |
| SPED | 561 | Curriculum and Instruction: Emphases for Inclusive Settings | 3.0 | FS |
| SPED | 563 | Collaboration in Education and the Helping Professions | 2.0 | FS |
| SPED | 564 | Management of Learning Environments | 2.0 | SP |
| SPED | 569 | Field Experience - General and Special Education | 3.0 | FS |
| SWRK | 170 | Social Welfare Institutions: A Response to Power and Scarcity | 3.0 | FS * |
| SWRK | 200 | Multicultural Awareness for Human Services | 3.0 | FS USD |
| SWRK | 302 | Human Behavior Across the Lifespan | 3.0 | FS * |
| SWRK | 320 | Child Welfare | 3.0 | FS |
Professional Standards and Disqualification:
The child development degree signifies a readiness to begin professional work in areas requiring trust and high ethical standards. You are expected to meet ethical and professional standards set by the profession and the agencies with which you may serve as an intern. Should it be determined that you do not meet such standards, you may be disqualified from fulfilling the advanced internship of the major and thus be prevented from completing the child development major.
The professional standards include the following:
1. Honoring the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Code of Ethics.
2. Meeting the expectations of field agencies and programs which provide internships.
3. Avoiding behavior that suggests potential harm to clients, colleagues, or themselves.
Please consult with the program office for more complete information regarding these standards.
Obtaining a Child Development Permit
If you are interested in teaching or directing in a child development center with young children (0-8 years of age), you may want to obtain a Child Development (CD) Permit. Having a CD Permit may be required or highly recommended for certain types of centers (e.g., Title 5 Programs, child development programs funded by the State Department of Education, Head Start). For more information about obtaining a CD Permit, contact your academic advisor or the Child Development Program office.
Electives Requirement:
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Grading Requirement:
All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
Advising Requirement:
Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.
Visit the Child Development Program Office for assignment to an undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are
1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
Honors in Child Development
In addition to the requirements for all Honors in the Major programs listed above, specific requirements for Honors in Child Development include:
1. Successful completion of CHLD 353.
2. Faculty recommendation.
3. Students admitted to the Honors in the Major program in child development will enroll in CHLD 499H the first semester of their senior year and CHLD 495H the second semester. It is recommended that CHLD 499H be taken concurrently with CHLD 392. A public presentation of the completed project will take place during the second semester. Students must earn at least a B grade in both CHLD 499H and CHLD 495H.