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California State University, Chico
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Child Development BA

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Transform your passion for supporting children and your community into a rewarding career. Our program offers pathways into diverse fields such as early education, youth and community organizations, government agencies, and research. With a comprehensive understanding of child development, you will be empowered to facilitate positive growth in children of all ages and be a changemaker in the community.

Classes focus on the ways culture, family, psychology, and other socioeconomic factors affect human development. With specialized training and seminars, you’ll learn how to build positive relationships with children and families to create environments and curriculums that help them thrive.

Practicing Positive Development

From year one, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to observe and interpret the cognitive, social, and physical development of children. You’ll also complete over 250 internship and field hours during three required internship courses at a selection of 40+ community organizations and schools.

Create Your Own Future

Your degree in child development is a springboard to careers in childcare, early education, counseling, community organizing, and government. It’s also a strong foundation for graduate studies if you’re looking to become a social worker, therapist, or researcher. Some professional settings to explore include:

  • Early education: You can meet the state requirements for the Child Development Permit in this option and become a teacher or site supervisor for a daycare or other early childhood education program.
  • Community services: You can work in childcare centers, afterschool programs, or residential facilities, providing care and support to children.
  • Hospitals: You can work in hospitals or healthcare settings as a child life specialist, helping children cope with trauma, injury, or illness through play, education, and emotional support.
  • Government agencies: You can provide resources, guidance, and support to help families navigate socioeconomic challenges and promote positive parent-child relationships.
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Faculty in the child development program are very welcoming and they want to know how you are doing in school and life, and they want to support you
Guadalupe Carolina Vazquez (Child Development, ’24)

Child Development Club

Make friends, gain experience, and level up your skillset by joining the Child Development Student Association. This student-run organization offers events, professional development workshops, and volunteer opportunities with organizations like Girls on the Run and the Ability First Sports event.

Associated Students Child Development Lab

You’ll provide early learning and care for children ages two months to five years while interning at the Associated Students Child Development Lab, located in Modoc Hall. The lab is your learning and teaching laboratory, offering real work experience in a familiar setting with faculty and peers who support you.

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