Child Development (BS)

Program Chair: Dr. Cindy Giaimo-Ballard

Who It's For

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development program at LaFetra College of Education is designed for individuals passionate about supporting young children’s growth and development from infancy through age 8. It is ideal for those pursuing careers in early childhood education, child and family services, social work, child advocacy, and related fields. Additionally, the program provides foundational preparation for those interested in counseling, child life specialties, and social services, ensuring graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact on children and families.

What You'll Learn

Our program provides engaging learning experiences that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work effectively with young children. Coursework integrates theory, research, and practical application, preparing students to understand and support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in early childhood.

Students will explore developmentally, linguistically, and culturally responsive teaching strategies while learning to create inclusive, equitable learning environments that foster healthy relationships and growth. The program also prepares graduates for diverse career pathways, including teaching young children, working in social services, and advocating for child and family well-being.

Program Highlights

Curriculum Alignment – Coursework follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards, the California Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations, and the California Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations (PTKLF).
Stackable Certificate Pathways – Students may earn Associate Teacher, Teacher, or Master Teacher Certificates, gaining hands-on experience before completing their degree.
Multiple Learning Formats – Courses are available in flexible online and in-person formats.
Small Class Sizes – Personalized learning experiences with faculty mentorship and career support.
Affordable Education – Tuition discounts are available through school district and agency partnerships, making the program accessible to aspiring educators.

This program provides a strong foundation in child development, preparing students for meaningful careers that support young children's learning, growth, and well-being in educational and community settings.

Program Requirements

The following items are required prior to fieldwork and registering for EDUC 354P Early Childhood Observation and Assessment Practicum, or your first course in the child development program.

Clear fingerprints -FBI, DOJ, and CAI
- Students must obtain cleared fingerprints (Department of Justice, FBI and the California Child Abuse Index Check) through the Fairplex Child Development Center. Your academic advisor will begin to assist you through this process, followed by the Director of Field Experiences.
A record of current immunizations, including negative result for tuberculosis.

Degree Requirements

Total program: 52 semester hours

Core Requirements

40 semester hours

Students will complete the core courses and choose 1 concentration. Transfer students are allowed to bring pre-selected Child Development courses into the major and concentrations. Selected courses for transfer align with the California Curriculum Alignment Project.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 350	Child Psychology and Development ¹	4
EDUC 354P	Early Childhood Observation and Assessment Practicum	4
EDUC 356	Child and Family Relationships in a Diverse Society	4
EDUC 445	Adult Supervision and Mentoring	4
EDUC 451	Infant & Toddler Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 452	Parenting Theory in Cultural Contexts	4
EDUC 454P	Early Childhood Student Teaching (Must be taken in residency)	4
EDUC 459	Integrated Curriculum for Young Children ²	4
EDUC 485	Social Emotional Learning	4
EDUC 499	Senior Project	4
Total Semester Hours		40

¹: Must be taken in the last 10 years for transfer.
²: Must be taken within the last 3 years for transfer.

Concentrations

12 - 30 semester hours

The Child Development Bachelor of Science degree (CDBS) includes several concentrations, of which students must choose one. The concentrations were developed to provide students the opportunity to choose courses that pertain to their individual career goals. Concentrations have numerous advantages:

CDBS students will discover how child development integrates with other areas of study.
CDBS students will find the program more applicable to their personal interests, exposing them to new pathways for working with children and families.
CDBS students will interact with students from other majors giving them opportunities to discover new perspectives in thinking and learning.

CDBS students attending on the La Verne campus will choose one concentration from the list below. If a concentration is not chosen, the Development & Pedagogy concentration will be assigned. Concentrations must be fulfilled in their entirety. Students may not mix concentration coursework. The concentration in Development & Pedagogy will be assigned to CDBS students registered in La Verne Online and Regional Campus programs. If you need further assistance in choosing a concentration please see the Child Development Program Chair.

Concentration in Development & Pedagogy

12 semester hours

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a Concentration in Development & Pedagogy prepares students to teach in an early childhood program that provides education, childcare, and support services for young children and their families. This concentration qualifies for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 448	Young Children's Mathematical Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 449	Young Children's Language and Literacy Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 486	Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Pedagogy	4
Total Semester Hours		12

Concentration in Kinesiology

12 semester hours

This concentration is designed for the Undergraduate Child Development student whose goal is to work in settings that integrate concepts of child development with concepts and practice in motor development and physical literacy. The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Kinesiology introduces students to concepts in movement that can be easily integrated into their work with children in sports camps, boys’ and girls’ clubs, parks and recreation programs, children’s gyms, extended day programs for PK-grade 5, physical education assistants, early childhood classrooms, etc.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 254	Health, Safety & Nutrition	4
KINE 323	Biomechanics	4
KINE 390	Motor Behavior	4
Total Semester Hours		12

Concentration in Theatre

12 semester hours

This concentration is designed for the Undergraduate Child Development student whose goal is to work in settings that integrate concepts of early childhood theories and practice with concepts of theatre production and dramatic expression. The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Theatre introduces students to foundational theatre concepts that can be easily integrated into their work in after-school programs, children’s museums, play-therapy programs, community theatre, children’s events planning, early childhood classrooms.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
THAR 351	Directing Studio I	4
THAR 370	Theatre and Community	4
THAR 377	Theater and Drama Instruction for Teachers	4
Total Semester Hours		12

Concentration in PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist Instruction Credential 1

The PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist Credential coursework is an accelerated pathway to earn your Bachelor degree in Child Development and the PK3 Early Childhood Specialists Instruction Credential in 4-years. This credential is grounded in the theoretical framework of developmentally, linguistically, and culturally responsive teaching and learning practices for the care and education of young children. The program’s curriculum includes child growth and development, including the implications of neurodiversity, human learning theory; social, cultural, philosophical, and historical foundations of education; developmentally, linguistically, and culturally responsive pedagogy and developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) for young children in grades PK-3.

Students learn to observe, reflect, design, implement and facilitate learning through DAP curriculum, theoretical views, the classroom environment, working with families, and scaffolding children’s learning while considering developmental levels of children. Students are taught to value each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic and cultural experiences and to reflect on each PK-3 Teaching Performance Expectation to further their own professional development.

The credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained general education classroom in preschool through grade 3.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in “Early Childhood Teaching” earns the student with a PK3 Early Childhood Specialists Credential. The PK3 Credential takes several steps. Following entry into the undergraduate Child Development program, students must successfully complete teaching methodology courses and ﬁeldwork. Candidates then must apply and be accepted for student teaching, which includes courses as well as 16 weeks of in-classroom training, completed in two segments.

When earning the PK3 Credential, candidates have an additional opportunity to take 3 additional classes to complete a multiple subject credential. Please consult with your academic advisor.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 400PK	Early Development and Inquiry Based Learning	3
EDUC 401PK	Culturally Responsive Classroom Communities	3
EDUC 403PK	Self-Care and Professional Development	3
EDUC 425	Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 426	Introductory Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 492	Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science	4
EDUC 497	Introductory Supervised Teaching, Multiple Subject	3
EDUC 498	Advanced Supervised Teaching	6
Total Semester Hours		30

¹: Must be taken in the last 10 years for transfer.
²: Must be taken within the last 3 years for transfer.

Admission Requirements

Completed Admission Application and application fee. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
A Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: your reasons for entering the teaching profession, any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study, and your perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in teaching. Your statement should be approximately 500-words in length and typewritten.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to objectively evaluate the candidate's potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment on academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
Current TB Clearance.
Certificate of Clearance.

Program Requirements: optional, if available at the time of admissions.

The following items are program requirements and may be submitted at the time of admission:

Demonstrated Subject Matter Competence (required prior to student teaching and): The approved PK3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction credential preparation program sponsor determines that each candidate meets the subject matter requirements prior to given daily whole class instructional responsibilities in a preschool - grade 3. Candidates can meet the subject matter competence by:
1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a degree in Child Development, Child & Adolescent Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Child & Family Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Human Development and Family Studies, or
2. Completion of 24 semester hours or equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable early childhood education and/or child development coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
RICA
US Constitution course or passing test score
CPR for adults

Child Development Dual Enrollment Program: High School + 16 Units

Total Program: 16 college units

The Child Development Dual Enrollment Program is an opportunity for high school students, 11th – 12th grade, to start taking college courses. High school students can concurrently take 16 units in child development courses that will easily transfer to the undergraduate child development program. Dual enrollment assists the students in becoming familiar with the workings of college, it expands on educational opportunities for students, and is one way to open the door to students who may not typically consider enrolling in college. The courses offered prepare students to work in early childhood centers as an Assistant Teacher or an Associate Teacher.

How does Dual Enrollment benefit the student?

It decreases the amount of time needed to complete a Child Development Permit, or a Bachelor of Science Degree.
We offer the foundational courses to help you earn college credit toward a degree, certificate, and/or transfer.
Dual enrollment is associated with positive academic outcomes. For example, dual enrollment is linked to higher high school completion rates, college readiness, retention, and attendance.
Additionally, dual enrollment improves academic outcomes of students in career-focused programs, as well as the outcomes of students historically underrepresented in higher education.

Students could earn up to 16 units of college credit working toward a child development assistant teacher permit, or a child development associate teacher permit.

Upon completion of the 16 required units--with a passing grade of a C- or better--the student would be invited to transfer to the University of La Verne. At this point, career advising, would be provided through the University. If students decide to continue in the Undergraduate Child Development Program, there are several paths to choose from.