Child & Adolescent Development (MS)

Chairperson: Andrea Minkoff

Program Length Part-Time: 2.5 years
Program Length Full-Time: 1.5 years

Who It's For

This program is designed for individuals passionate about working with youth and expanding their knowledge of applied developmental science. It is ideal for educators, program administrators, child development specialists, and professionals looking to support children and adolescents in diverse educational and community settings. Additionally, it is well-suited for those interested in teaching child development courses at the community college level, equipping them with the expertise to educate future professionals in the field.

What You'll Learn

Our program provides engaging learning experiences that deepen students’ understanding of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and youth. Coursework integrates practical and theoretical concepts, ensuring students develop expertise in fostering development across various settings, including schools, community programs, and family services.

Students will explore evidence-based practices that promote optimal growth and learning in young children and adolescents while emphasizing equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness. The program also prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in fields related to child and adolescent development, including teaching child development courses at the community college level, facilitating professional development opportunities, and implementing classroom strategies aligned with developmental best practices.

Program Highlights

• Multiple Learning Formats – Students may take courses online or in person.
• Specialization Options – Opportunity to focus on either early childhood or adolescence.
• Small Class Sizes – Personalized learning experiences with faculty mentorship.
• Expert Faculty – Passionate and responsive educators dedicated to student success.
• Career Readiness – Graduates gain skills applicable to education, social services, and leadership roles supporting children and adolescents.

This program provides a comprehensive foundation in child and adolescent development, preparing students for impactful careers that promote positive outcomes for young people.

Program Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program  under several circumstances, including but not limited to: academic dishonesty, academic disqualification, failure to maintain minimum academic standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, removal from a fieldwork placement, unethical or unprofessional conduct, failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions, circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others, and/or felony conviction.  Students dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning that includes courses within or related to the Child and Adolescent Development discipline (e.g., Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Early Childhood Curriculum, and Human Development).

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements and application materials listed in the Graduate Admission section of this catalog, the following are required:

1. A completed application and application fee
2. Official Transcripts from all institutions attended. An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
3. Two letters of recommendation  addressing the candidate’s potential performance in a graduate program.
4. Resume
5. A statement of purpose that includes a description of any work experience with children, a clear statement of short term and long-term professional goals, a description of why this particular MS is desired, and a statement about what the student expects to do professionally after receiving the degree.

Total Program: 33 semester hours

Core Requirements

12 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
ASCD 500	Academic Writing	3
ASCD 503	Educational Psychology	3
ASCD 504	Methods of Research	3
ASCD 550	Human Development	3
Total Semester Hours		12

Culminating Activity

3 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
ASCD 596	Graduate Seminar	3
Total Semester Hours		3

Students who have completed 21 semester hours, applied for graduation, and completed specific assessments required by the College’s assessment system may apply for Advanced Standing. Once Advancement to Candidacy is processed, students can complete their remaining units, including the Culminating Activity.

Areas of Concentration

Students in this program will choose an Early Childhood concentration, an Adolescence concentration, or a Transitional Kindergarten concentration. 

Early Childhood Concentration

18 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
ASCD 510	Infant and Toddler Development	3
ASCD 518	Language, Reading, and Concept Development	3
ASCD 551	Studies in Attachment	3
ASCD 557	Teaching Adults	3
ASCD 558	Cognition and Brain Development	3
Choose 1 of the following Electives:		3
ASCD 530	Motivation in Education
ASCD 570	Adolescent Development
ASCD 575	Adolescents and Risk
Other program chair approved elective
Total Semester Hours		18

Adolescence Concentration

18 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
ASCD 530	Motivation in Education	3
ASCD 557	Teaching Adults	3
ASCD 558	Cognition and Brain Development	3
ASCD 570	Adolescent Development	3
ASCD 575	Adolescents and Risk	3
Choose 1 of the following Electives:		3
ASCD 510	Infant and Toddler Development
ASCD 518	Language, Reading, and Concept Development
ASCD 551	Studies in Attachment
Other program chair approved elective
Total Semester Hours		18

Transitional Kindergarten Concentration

36 semester hours 

This concentration is designed for candidates who have completed the TK certificate program at the University of La Verne with grades of B or better within the past 5 years.  Candidates may use 24 units from the TK certificate to apply toward their concentration in the MS Child & Adolescent Development degree.  The following courses are required. 

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
TK Certificate Program (24 SH)
EDUC 480TK	Development of the Young Child	4
EDUC 481TK	Transitional Kindergarten Observation and Assessment	4
EDUC 482TK	TK Childhood, Family, and Community Relationships	4
EDUC 483TK	TK Childhood Language and Literacy Development	4
EDUC 484TK	TK Childhood Math and Science Development	4
EDUC 485TK	TK Childhood Social-Emotional Learning and Development (Core Requirements)	4
Core Requirements
ASCD 503	Educational Psychology	3
ASCD 504	Methods of Research (Choose one of the following Electives:)	3
Choose one of the following Electives:		3
ASCD 530	Motivation in Education (Choose one of the following Electives:)
ASCD 557	Teaching Adults
ASCD 570	Adolescent Development
ASCD 575	Adolescents and Risk
Culminating Activity:
ASCD 596	Graduate Seminar	3
Total Semester Hours		36