Child Development and Family Relationships, B.A.

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. Students select one of the following three concentrations: Child and Family Services, Teaching or Specialized Studies. Within the first two concentrations, students also select an emphasis. The Specialized Studies concentration is individually designed between student and advisor.

We recommend that students take courses in history, political science, English, and speech in high school.

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 Humboldt State within two years of full-time study if lower division education coursework is also complete.

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ” The Upper Division Area D General Education requirement is met by the coursework within the major.

Requirements for the Major (58-66 units)

Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all courses required for the major, including core, concentration, and emphasis.

Core Courses (34-35 Units)

The following core courses are required for all CDFR 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 four courses. Course must be approved by major advisor.
CD 209 - Middle Childhood Development Units: 3
or
CD 255 - Early Childhood Development Units: 3
or
CD 253 - Prenatal & Infant Development Units: 3
or
PSYC 414 - Psychology of Adolescence & Young Adulthood Units: 3
CD 211 - Perspectives: Professional Development Units: 3
or
CD 211S - Perspectives: Professional Development Units: 3
CD 257 - Supervised Work with Children I Units: 4 *
CD 310 - Perspectives: History & Theory Units: 3
or
AIE 330 - History of Indian Education Units: 3
CD 350 - Perspectives: Life-Span Development Units: 3
CD 354 - Methods of Observation Units: 3
CD 355 - Language Development Units: 3
CD 366 - Exceptional Children & Their Families Units: 3
CD 469 - Contemporary Issues in Child Development Units: 3
CD 479 - Policy Analysis & Advocacy Units: 3
AIE 335 - Social & Cultural Considerations Units: 3
or
CD 467 - Working with Culturally Diverse Families Units: 3
or
CD 467S - Working with Culturally Diverse Families Units: 3

Note:

*CAP transfer students: consult major advisor

Concentrations

Complete one concentration to fulfill the requirements of the major.

Programs Leading to Licensure & 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 are available from the Office of Academic Affairs, Siemens Hall 216, 707-826-3722.

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).

Child Development & Family Relationships Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will have demonstrated:

description of the principles and patterns of growth and development in the cognitive, physical and motor, communicative, emotional, and social domains
critical evaluation of literature germane to child development (theories, research, historical viewpoints, current viewpoints, contemporary trends, assumptions, practices)
identification and evaluation of the variety of factors that influence children’s development (personal, familial, social)
knowledge about child development related professions (services, common foundation, opportunities for collaboration)
practical skills in working with children (assessment instruments, guidance approaches)
skills required of professionals in the field (interpersonal communication, collaboration, reflection, ethics, personal decision making, advocacy, writing, presenting, and using information technology).