Child Development (BS)

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 - 70 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.

EDUC 350Child Psychology and Development 14
EDUC 354PEarly Childhood Observation and Assessment Practicum4
EDUC 356Child and Family Relationships in a Diverse Society4
EDUC 445Adult Supervision and Mentoring4
EDUC 451Infant & Toddler Development & Pedagogy4
EDUC 452Parenting Theory in Cultural Contexts4
EDUC 454PEarly Childhood Student Teaching (Must be taken in residency)4
EDUC 459Integrated Curriculum for Young Children 24
EDUC 485Social Emotional Learning4
EDUC 499Senior Project4
Total Semester Hours40
1

Must be taken in the last 10 years for transfer.

2

Must be taken within the last 3 years for transfer.

Concentrations

12 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.

EDUC 448Young Children's Mathematical Development & Pedagogy4
EDUC 449Young Children's Language and Literacy Development & Pedagogy4
EDUC 486Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Pedagogy4
Total Semester Hours12

Concentration in Leadership

12 semester hours

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a Concentration in Leadership prepares students to earn a California Child Development Permit at the highest level. This concentration is for individuals who plan to work in an early childhood facility as a Site Supervisor and/or a Program Director.

EDUC 453ASupervision and Administration of Programs for Young Children4
EDUC 453BAdvanced Supervision and Administration of Programs for Young Children4
EDUC 486Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Pedagogy4
Total Semester Hours12

Concentration in Early Childhood Teaching

30 semester hours

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Teaching  prepares students to teach Preschool, Transitional-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 3rd grade in a public or private school system. Students will begin coursework for the PK3 Credential in their Senior year of their undergraduate program.  Refer to the information on the PK3 credential (pending approval from the CCTC) on the Support Pathways tab.

Earning a 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 15 weeks of in-classroom training, completed in two segments.

Earning the PK3 Credential, candidates have the opportunity to take 3 additional classes to complete a multiple subject credential.

EDUC 400PKEarly Development and Inquiry Based Learning3
EDUC 401PKCulturally Responsive Classroom Communities3
EDUC 403PKSelf-Care and Professional Development3
EDUC 425Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 426Introductory Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 492Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science4
EDUC 497Introductory Supervised Teaching, Multiple Subject3
EDUC 498Advanced Supervised Teaching6
Total Semester Hours30

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.

EDUC 254Health, Safety & Nutrition4
KINE 323Biomechanics4
KINE 390Motor Behavior4
Total Semester Hours12

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.

THAR 351Directing Studio I4
THAR 370Theatre and Community4
THAR 377Theater and Drama Instruction for Teachers4
Total Semester Hours12

PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist Instruction Credential1

The PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist Credential coursework 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.

1

Please note that the availability of the PK-3 credential program is pending approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing at the time of this catalog’s publishing date. Therefore, matriculation of students is contingent upon approval.

Admission Requirements

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Current TB Clearance.
  5. 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:

  1. Demonstrated Subject Matter Competence (required prior to student teaching EDUC 497 Introductory Supervised Teaching, Multiple Subject and EDUC 498 Advanced Supervised Teaching): 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.
  2. RICA
  3. US Constitution course or passing test score
  4. CPR for adults

BS to Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

The Child Development BS to Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is an opportunity for candidates to complete their Bachelor of Science in Child Development, and their Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 4 years plus one semester. This is an accelerated program and is open to students who have a 3.0 GPA for admission.  Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate program.

Students will meet with the Program Chair of the undergraduate Child Development program after completion of their child development student teaching course, to review student assessments. The following semester the student will be admitted to the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Please refer to the admission requirements in the Multiple Subject section of the catalog.

Semester advising appointments are required throughout the program. Students who do not progress according to the requirements of the Child Development BS to Multiple Subject Credential program will be counseled into the traditional Undergraduate Bachelor of Science Child Development Program.

Students will take the Child Development CORE classes, the Early Childhood Teaching Concentration and then participate in the Multiple Subject credential.

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.

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.

Non-Degree Accelerated Pathway: Child Development Teacher Permit Certificate

For those interested in teaching infants through preschool age children, we are pleased to offer a non-degree accelerated pathway. This certificate will deliver the required child development courses to earn your California Child Development Teacher's Permit. A reduced tuition rate has been developed for partnerships with school districts, Head Start agencies and private schools.

Our accelerated pathway is comprised of 6 fully online child development courses for a total of 24 units. Students will also need to complete 16 units of general education courses for the permit. Upon completion of the 24 child development units, and the 16 General Education units, students will be awarded the Child Development Teacher Permit Certificate from LaFetra College of Education.  Students will also receive assistance in applying for the CA Teacher Permit. Courses were developed using the California Preschool Curriculum Framework and the California Preschool Learning Foundations, including:

Course Requirements

Total Program: 40 semester hours - 24 semester hours in Child Development, 16 semester hours in General Education

EDUC 350Child Psychology and Development 14
EDUC 356Child and Family Relationships in a Diverse Society4
EDUC 454PEarly Childhood Student Teaching (Must be taken in residency)4
EDUC 459Integrated Curriculum for Young Children 24
EDUC 485Social Emotional Learning4
EDUC 486Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Pedagogy4
General Education16
Total Semester Hours40
1

Must be taken in the last 10 years for transfer.

2

Must be taken in the last 3 years for transfer.