Child Development (BS)

Preparation

The LaFetra College of Education Child Development Program prepares students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work effectively with infants to age 8, and families during the most critical developmental time in a child’s life. Essential elements within the curriculum and program are:

• Caring and responsive relationships are the foundation of healthy human development.
• Understanding developmentally , linguistically, and culturally-appropriate pedagogy.
• Applying reflective practice as a tool for lifelong learning.
• Culturally responsive interactions enrich and strengthen individuals, families, communities and society.
• Summarizing, examining, and applying research and theory to practice.

Benefits

The benefits of a degree in Child Development is distinctive because it emphasizes the significance of the first eight years of life in relation to social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and how to establish positive and respectful relationships with children and families. Students earning the Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development are prepared to enter the workforce in a variety of entry-level positions in teaching and working with infants, toddlers, preschool and transitional kindergarten through grade three, social services, counseling, child and family advocacy, child life, and other related fields. The coursework also prepares students to be competitive applicants for post-baccalaureate graduate programs in child development, human development, educational psychology, developmental psychology, early childhood education, child life, clinical social work and teaching credential programs.

The Child Development Major is designed as a complete four year program at La Verne, but it is also fully adaptable for transfer students. Multiple concentrations, including early childhood teaching, special education, leadership, kinesiology, theatre, and criminal justice allow students to pursue an avenue of study suitable to their professional goals and academic interests. 

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: 52-56 semester hours

Core Requirements

40 semester hours

Students will complete the core courses and choose 1 concentration. Transfer students are allowed to bring in pre-selected Child Development courses in 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 (Must be taken in residency)	4
EDUC 354P	Early Childhood Observation and Assessment Practicum	4
EDUC 356	Child and Family Relationships in a Diverse Society	4
EDUC 452	Parenting Theory in Cultural Contexts	4
EDUC 454P	Early Childhood Student Teaching (Must be taken in residency)	4
EDUC 445	Adult Supervision and Mentoring	4
EDUC 459	Integrated Curriculum for Young Children 1	4
EDUC 485	Social Emotional Learning	4
EDUC 486	Intro to Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Practices	4
EDUC 499	Senior Project	4
Total Semester Hours		40

¹

Must be taken in the last 3 years for transfer.

Concentrations

12-16 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 chose 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

14 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 447	Infant & Toddler Curriculum	2
EDUC 448	Young Children's Mathematical Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 449	Young Children's Language and Literacy Development & Pedagogy	4
EDUC 451	Infant & Toddler Development	4
Total Semester Hours		14

Concentration in Infants/Toddlers & Special Education

12 semester hours

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Infants/Toddlers and Special Education prepares students for possible employment opportunities in Early Head Start or Head Start programs, private preschool classrooms, family daycare, afterschool programs, infant/toddler centers, etc. This concentration qualifies for the California Child Development Master Teacher Permit including one specialization.

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 254	Health, Safety & Nutrition	4
EDUC 447	Infant & Toddler Curriculum	2
EDUC 451	Infant & Toddler Development	4
EDUC 487	Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs	2
Total Semester Hours		12

Concentration in Leadership

16 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.

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 453A	Supervision and Administration of Programs for Young Children	4
EDUC 453B	Advanced Supervision and Administration of Programs for Young Children	4
Total Semester Hours		16

Concentration in Early Childhood Teaching

13 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-school system. Additional PK3 courses will be taken to complete the credential. Students will begin coursework for the PK3 Credential in their Senior year. Refer to the information on the PK3 credential (pending approval from the CCTC) on the Support Pathways tab.

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
Total Semester Hours		13

Concentration in Kinesiology

16 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 380	Motor Development	4
KINE 381	Motor Learning	4
Total Semester Hours		16

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 Criminology

16 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 about the criminal justice system, advocacy and juvenile delinquency. The Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a concentration in Criminology introduces students to aspects of the criminal justice system that will inform students who choose to work with children and families in social work, foster care, court appointed care-giving, child advocacy organizations, family support systems, public policy, early childhood classrooms.

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 254	Health, Safety & Nutrition	4
SOC 321	Juvenile Delinquency	4
SOC 326	Criminal Justice System	4
SOC 350	Law and Society	4
Total Semester Hours		16

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. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
5. Current TB Clearance.
6. 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. CSET or proof of completion of Subject Matter Requirement (required prior to student teaching) 
2. RICA (multiple subject) (required for Preliminary credential.

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.

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 Teachers 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

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 350	Child Psychology and Development	4
EDUC 356	Child and Family Relationships in a Diverse Society	4
EDUC 454P	Early Childhood Student Teaching	4
EDUC 459	Integrated Curriculum for Young Children	4
EDUC 485	Social Emotional Learning	4
EDUC 486	Intro to Early Childhood Special Education: Policies & Practices	4
General Education		16
Total Semester Hours		40