Bachelor of Arts in Child Development

Program Description/Overview

The mission of this program is to prepare students to pursue careers in early childhood settings and agencies serving young children and their families, and to pursue graduate and professional studies. The underlying philosophy is that children develop within an ecological framework that includes the complex interrelationships among the child, the family, their diverse cultures and society at-large. The program develops in students the knowledge and skills to promote a developmental perspective in their work with children and families, to establish partnerships between families and child development professionals that reflect family-centered practices, and to provide educational and community programming that is inclusive of all children.

Emphasis/Concentration/Tracks

This program offers the following fast track options:

1. TESOL
2. School Counseling
3. Couple and Family Therapy

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of professional standards and guidelines as set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, California Preschool Learning Foundations, and the Common Core State Standards;
2. Recognize benchmarks in the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children from birth to age 18 and the effects of heredity, environment and neuropsychology on developmental stages;
3. Design healthy, safe, and ethical programs and policies;
4. Design, implement and evaluate integrated curriculum, inclusive environments, and brain-based teaching techniques utilizing reflective practice, developmentally appropriate guidelines, and evidence-based research;
5. Write critically about theories and constructs of child and adolescent development;
6. Demonstrate a repertoire of observation, documentation and assessment techniques that support children and families;
7. Communicate, collaborate and advocate for the well-being of children with families, stakeholders and agencies within a diverse community.

Training Model

The program is designed to honor the University’s commitment to education for professional practice. The program is designed to insure all graduates can integrate theory, ethical values, and leadership skills in the creation of exceptional learning environments and experiences for children. The program sequence is structured around two program features and two course features that challenge students to apply their knowledge from the first through the last course.

Applied learning program features:

1. A structured field experience conducted at a licensed California preschool, supervised and evaluated by a Child Development Permitted Teacher.
2. A Capstone project in which students demonstrate their ability to design a substantive program or address a significant issue for children at their chosen age of interest.

Both the structured field experience and the Capstone project require students to analyze the needs of diverse children across a span of ages, ethnicities, abilities and resources. Deriving from a careful needs assessment, both the structured field experience and the Capstone project require students to design lessons, a brief program, or a school or community project that meets the targeted need.

Applied learning course features:

1. A project in every course that requires the application of course content to the needs of children and their families.
2. A systematic observation of children in a natural or classroom setting in every course.

The course projects and the structured observations train students to observe children in their community through the lens of professional experience.

Projects are relevant to the course content and flexible to the interests of the students.

A systematic child observation in each course trains students to become alert to children, their differences, and their needs in both natural and classroom settings. Mastering a variety of techniques ensures students become astute observers of children and prepared to base their leadership on real needs in their schools, families and community.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

1. Submit a personal essay;
2. Submit information on any professional experience they have had;
3. Submit two letters of recommendation;
4. Attend an in-person or telephone interview (for finalists for admission);
5. Have an interview with the relevant Admissions Committee;
6. Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 will be reviewed by the Program Director.

Final admissions decision will be made by the Program Faculty.

This program is not currently accepting applications beginning January 2018.

Licensure

This program fulfills the requirements for a California Master Teacher and Site Supervisor Child Development Permits; however, students must independently apply to the state for their permits subsequent to program completion.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 120

Total Core Credit Units: 111

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: 9

Prerequisite Courses

The courses below are prerequisites for the major:

• CHD1101 - Working with Children (3 units)  
• CHD2110 - Children’s Literature (3 units)  
• CHD2210 - Introduction to Child Development (3 units)  
• CHD2220 - Children’s Art, Music and Movement (3 units)  

Emphasis/Concentration/Track Requirements

Curriculum Plan

Gainful Employment

For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program, please visit https://www.alliant.edu/media/gainful-employment-disclosure/Bachelor_Child_Development_BA.html.