2024-2025 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog
Child Development and Family Relationships, Teaching Concentration, B.A.
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 Return to: Majors
The Child Development and Family Relationships major focuses on the ever-growing body of knowledge about children and its applications to provide a holistic approach to the study of children from birth to age 18. This major provides the basis for a variety of careers including, preschool or elementary teacher, after-school program leader, child abuse prevention worker, civilian employee for military base family/child services, consultant for employer-sponsored child/family program, early childhood special education teacher, home visitor for at-risk families, infant/toddler intervention worker, licensing representative, parent educator, Peace Corps/Americorps volunteer, public policy advocate, recreation leader, researcher, resource and referral coordinator, social worker, special education teacher, youth services coordinator, university professor.
Humboldt’s program is unique among the child development programs in the CSU system in that:
- core courses (which all students take) give cohesive and comprehensive attention to children’s development and socialization;
- an on-campus practicum is required;
- additional practicums with children or families are available in the emphasis areas;
- coursework beyond the core is based on the student’s own identified special interests.
In core courses students learn basic principles and theories of child development as well as practices that support children and families.
We recommend that students take courses in history, political science, English, and speech in high school.
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Major Academic Plan, Child Development and Family Relationships, B.A.
Program MAPs represent recommended or possible pathways toward degree completion in four years (or two years for transfer students). Please see an advisor and use the DARS planner to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.
Child Development and Family Relationships, B.A. MAP
Requirements for the Major (58-64 units)
Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all courses required for the major, including core, concentration, and emphasis. The Upper Division Area D General Education requirement is met by the coursework within the major.
Core Courses (34 Units)
The following core courses are required for all Child Development and Family Relationships majors. See the major academic plan for the suggested course sequence. (There may be scheduling problems that delay graduation if 200- and 300-level courses are postponed.)
Complete one of the following:
Course must be approved by major advisor.
Teaching Concentration (24-30 Units)
Complete the following courses (15 units) and one emphasis (9-15 units)
Emphases
Select one emphasis within the teaching concentration and complete all requirements.
Early Childhood Education & Care Emphasis (9 Units)
Students completing this emphasis qualify to apply for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Permit at the Site Supervisor level. To move to the program director level of the permit, students must complete 6 units in early childhood administration and 2 units in adult supervision. In addition, they need at least one year of documented experience as a site supervisor.
Elementary Education Emphasis (15 Units)
Students completing this emphasis qualify to apply for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Permit at the Site Supervisor level with a School Age emphasis. Students are also well prepared for Elementary Education Credential programs to become elementary school teachers.
For information about a specific California Teacher Credentialing Subject Matter program, see separate information on the Child Development Elementary Education Program.
Special Education/Early Intervention Emphasis (9 Units)
Complete two of the following courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.
- Growth and Development: Critically evaluate and apply knowledge of the principles and patterns of growth and development in the cognitive, neurological, somatic and motor, communicative, emotional and social domains from conception to adolescence and beyond.
- Critical Thinking and Literacy: Critically evaluate literature relevant to the Child Development discipline including theories, research, historical and current viewpoints, contemporary trends, implications, and perspectives.
- Influences on Development: Identify and critically evaluate the variety of factors that influence children’s development such as familial, socio-cultural, environmental, biological, and neurological.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Reasoning: Demonstrate practical skills in working with children through various assessment methods and instruments including anecdotes and time samples that identify frequencies and percentages.
- Professional Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate skills required of professionals in the field such as interpersonal communication, collaboration, advocacy, writing, presenting, and using information technology. In addition, students will demonstrate knowledge about the services, ethical standards, and opportunities for collaboration in the Child Development related professions.
- Equity and Social Justice: Identify and evaluate systems of power and privilege and identify methods for creating diverse, inclusive, racially just, and equitable communities.
- Inclusive Environments: Nurture inclusive environments by gaining knowledge and experience working with children with various physical, mental, cognitive, behavioral, and developmental needs.
Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from
The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
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