2024-2025 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog
Child Development and Family Relationships, Specialized Studies Concentration, B.A.
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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.
Cal Poly 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. The Specialized Studies concentration is an individually designed program for students who have very specific career goals such as child life specialist, speech pathologist, infant/family/early childhood mental health, or family life educator, and require specialized preparation and/or postgraduate studies.
The Early Childhood CAP (Curriculum Alignment Project) transfer package includes a foundational core of eight courses: Child Growth and Development, Child, Family and Community, Introduction to Curriculum, Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children, Observation and Assessment, Health, Safety and Nutrition, Teaching in a Diverse Society, and Practicum.
Transfer students who have completed an approved 24-unit CAP transfer package, should follow the plan of study below to complete the Child Development core and Specialized Studies concentration at Cal Poly Humboldt within two years of full-time study if lower division education coursework is also complete.
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 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.
Specialized Studies Concentration (24 Units)
Complete 3 units from the following:
Elective Courses
Complete 21 units that provide a strong disciplinary perspective, a clear theme with regard to practices with children and families, and any known prerequisites for anticipated graduate work.
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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