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: 52-56 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.
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 |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
- 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.
- Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
- 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:
- CSET or proof of completion of Subject Matter Requirement (required prior to student teaching)
- 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
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 |