Child and Adolescent Development
College of Health and Social Sciences
Dean: Don Taylor
Department of Child and Adolescent Development
Phone: 415-405-3564
Fax: 415-405-0401
E-mail: cad@sfsu.edu
Web Site: http://cad.sfsu.edu
Chair: Rene F. Dahl
Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, & Families
HHS 257
Phone: 415-405-3925
Director: Charlotte Ferretti
Faculty
Professor: Dahl
Associate Professor: Meschke
Assistant Professors: Conley Wright, Law, Park
Programs
B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development
Concentrations in:
Program Scope
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) is for students interested in studying and working with issues related to children, adolescents, and their families. The CAD department works closely with the Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families. The Edelman Institute’s mission is to further educational excellence through its association with the interdisciplinary child and adolescent development curriculum; promote collaboration among faculty; create public outreach, social advocacy, and other partnerships between SF State and the community; and to foster research and scholarly work in the area of children, youth, and families.
The major provides students with a broad range of knowledge about child and adolescent development and how to apply this knowledge to services for children, youth, and families, as well as to research and public policy. Core courses introduce the student to child and adolescent development theories and their applications. Students in the program will choose one of four specialized concentrations: 1) Early Childhood; 2) School Age Child and Family; 3) Youth Work and Out of School Time; and 4) Policy, Advocacy, and Systems. The major is designed to meet the education and career needs of students with a variety of interests. Those who wish to complete a bachelor's degree as well as a Child Development Permit for work as a licensed child care provider will choose the early childhood concentration. Students who wish to teach in elementary schools will choose the school age child and family concentration, which will provide not only subject matter knowledge but a child development foundation. Others who wish to prepare for work in out of school time programs such as after-school programs, probation, recreation, residential treatment facilities for school-age children/youth and their families, or other community-based programs for children and youth will choose specialized study in the youth work and out of school time concentration. Finally, students preparing to work in research or policy fields related to children, youth, and families will select the policy, advocacy, and systems concentration. All concentrations prepare students for advanced study in disciplines such as law, medicine, psychology, social work, recreation, counseling, or physical therapy.
Career Outlook
The outlook for careers working with children and adolescents and their families is very good. Surveys of employers and community agencies which offer positions working with children, adolescents, and families indicate that there is a strong need for professionals in those areas. Graduates who want to work with young children and their families as infant-toddler pre-school teachers or child care providers are in high demand. There are 6,000 children in San Francisco alone on waiting lists for childcare programs. There is a need for well educated professionals to staff and administer quality child care and education programs, particularly as the existing center-based teaching work force with B.A. degrees or higher starts to retire. There is also a need to expand the ethnic and linguistic diversity of early child care providers. Areas where B.A. degree providers/teachers are particularly needed are in centers serving both infants and preschoolers, working with dual language learners, and working with children with special needs.
Even with state fiscal challenges and changes in requirements for teacher preparation, the increase in school age children in California and the significant numbers of teachers who will retire within the next few years, means there will be a need for qualified, fully prepared professionals to teach kindergarten through 12th grade. Although students who plan to enter a multiple subject teaching credential program can no longer complete a multiple subject matter preparation program in lieu of taking a Commission-approved subject matter examination (currently CSET), this degree strengthens pre-service preparation in subject matter as well as in child and adolescent development.
A survey of local potential employers found that they want staff with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge about child and adolescent development. Employment opportunities are strong for graduates wanting to develop careers working with children, youth, and their families in the areas of infant-toddler/pre-school, K-5 teaching, and social services in public and private institutions. This degree also provides a solid foundation for graduates who wish to pursue post-baccalaureate education toward masters and doctoral degrees.
Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development
Application Filing Period. The CAD major is impacted which means there is more demand for the major than capacity to meet that demand. Applications for admission to the major by new and transfer students are accepted by the Admissions Office during the application filing period, October 1 through November 30 (for admission the following fall). On-campus students who wish to change their major to CAD must submit an application to the CAD department office during the October 1 through November 30 application filing period (available on the department website). Applications are not accepted for spring semester.
Students should develop their program of study in consultation with a department adviser. Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses in the major. CR/NC grades are not accepted, except for the field work courses: CAD 601, CAD 611, CAD 621, and CAD 631 in the Early Childhood, School Age Child and Family, and Youth Work and Out of School concentrations, respectively. Courses taken in the core may not be counted in a concentration or vice versa.
Core Requirements (Required for all CAD majors)
Foundations 9 units
Each of the following is required.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 210 | Introduction to Applied Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| CAD 260 | Child, Family, and Community: An Ecological Perspective | 3 |
| CAD 410 | Applied Child and Youth Development | 3 |
Family Systems 3 units
Select one course from the following.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 450 | Understanding and Working with Diverse Families | 3 |
| CAD 460 | Globalization and Family Relations | 3 |
Research 3 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 500 GW | Action Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Development - GWAR | 3 |
Special Topics 3 units
Select one course of the following.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 520 | The Demography of Children, Adolescents, and their Families | 3 |
| CAD 625 | Child, Youth, and Public Policy | 3 |
| CAD 650 | Child Advocacy | 3 |
Total units required from Area of Concentration: 22 - 28
Total units for major: 40 - 46
Concentration in Early Childhood
The concentration in early childhood has been developed for students who wish to work primarily in teaching and child care with young children (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers), and their families, in schools and public or private institutions and agencies that serve this population. The degree fulfills the requirements for the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Students must complete two courses in SPED; one course at the 300 level and one course at the 600 level.
Note: Any course listed below that a student takes beyond the specified requirements can be counted as an elective toward the 120 units for graduation. These courses will enhance a student’s preparation for work in early care and education.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Courses: (see above) 18 units
Early Childhood Foundation 3 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 215 | Foundations in Early Childhood |
Child Development in Context 9 units
Choose one course from each category below.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Special Needs | 3 | |
| SPED 330 | Introduction to Disabilities | |
| SPED 370 | Young Children Disabled or At Risk and Their Families | |
| Infant/Toddler Development | 3 | |
| CFS 323 | Infant Toddler Development | |
| *E ED 611 | Advanced Issues in Infant - Toddler Education and Care | |
| Supporting Children’s Learning | 3 | |
| E ED 603 | Promoting Young Children's Social and Emotional Development | |
| E ED 600 | Advanced Issues in Child Development and Learning | |
| E ED 668 | Multicultural Education and Social Justice for Young Children | |
| E ED 619 | Children’s Play: Theory and Practice | |
| SPED 671 | Positive Behavior Support for Young Children | |
| SPED 672 | Creating Inclusive Learning Environments for Young Children | |
Curriculum and Methods 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CFS 322 | Early Childhood Education Curriculum | |
| EED 602 | Advanced Curriculum Study in ECE |
Observation and Assessment 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CFS 420 | Observation and Assessment with Children | |
| E ED 610 | Classroom Assessment and Evaluation for Young Children |
Special Issues 6 units
Choose one course from A and one from B.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A. Administration/ Leadership & Working with Families | 3 | |
| CAD 510 | Adult Supervision, Administration & Leadership in Early Childhood Programs | |
| CFS 324 | Administration of Infant/Toddler Programs | |
| CFS 423 | Administration of Programs for Young Children | |
| E ED 607 | Leadership and Administration in ECE | |
| E ED 604 | Advanced Issues in Collaboration with Families and Communities in ECE | |
| SPED 675 | Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities | |
| B. Curriculum Specialties | 3 | |
| CAD 326 | Developing Literacy Skills in Young Children and their Families (For Jumpstart corps members only, may count only once for credit in the major) |
|
| E ED 613 | Integrated Arts Curricula in ECE | |
| E ED 614 | Science, Math, and Technology Curricular in ECE | |
| E ED 615 | Environmental Education in ECE | |
| E ED 616 | Language and Literacy in Multilingual ECE Settings | |
| MUS 601 | Music for Children | |
Culminating Experience 3 units
Courses must be taken concurrently.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 610 | Early Childhood Internship Seminar (1) | |
| CAD 611 | Early Childhood Internship (2) (Additional 150 hours required prior to internship in a licensed center/program with children birth to 5 yrs. Hours must be documented and on file in the CAD office by Intern Application deadline) |
Total Concentration in Early Childhood: 27 units
Total for Major: 45 units
*Note Elementary Education Policy: 50 hours observation/participation outside the classroom are now required for Elementary Education courses (E ED). If a student takes more than one Elementary Education course per semester, 50 hours are the maximum total required and will count for all Elementary Education courses taken in that specific semester.
Concentration in School Age Child and Family
See general information for all Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development candidates above.
The school age child and family concentration has been developed for students who wish to work primarily with school age children and their families in settings such as elementary schools, social service agencies, and after school programs. This concentration is recommended as preparation for students who wish to become elementary school teachers.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Courses (see above): 18 units
Language/Reading/Communication Development 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| C D 655 | Dynamics of Communication Development |
| COMM 353 | Speech for the Classroom Teacher (4) |
| COMM 364 | Oral Interpretation of Children’s Literature (4) |
| COMM 411 | Language for Teachers (4) |
| COMM 508 | Children's Communication (4) |
Literature 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| AA S 512 | Asian American Children's/Adolescent Literature |
| CWL 440 | Typical American: Narratives of Multiculturalismin the Americas from 1492 to the Present |
| ENG 655 | Literature and the Adolescent Reader |
Mathematics 6 units
Both required.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| MATH 165 | Concepts of the Number System |
| MATH 565 | Concepts of Geometry, Measurement, and Probability |
Science 3 units
Choose one from either A or B.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| A. Life Science: Prerequisite: a college course in biology | |
| BIOL 310 | Biology for Today's World |
| BIOL 313 | Principles of Ecology |
| BIOL 317 | Ecology of California |
| BIOL 318 | Our Endangered Planet |
| B. Physical Science: Earth and Space Science Prerequisite: Completion of the Physical Sciences GE requirement |
|
| GEOL 309/ METR 309 |
Investigating Land, Sea, and Air Interactions |
Physical Education 3 units
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| KIN 401 | Elementary School Physical Education, K-5 |
Social Science 3 units
Choose one from either A or B.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| A. | |
| AIS 410 | Perspectives of Native California Indians |
| GEOG 552 | Geography of California |
| HIST 450 | History of California |
| LTNS 315 | Latinas/os in California |
| B. | |
| GEOG 101 | Our Physical Environment |
| GEOG 102 | The Human Environment (no longer required as partner to GEOG 101) |
| GEOG 107 | World Regions and Interrelations |
Art 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| ART 450 | Art for Children |
| DANC 340 | Creative Dance for Children |
| MUS 601 | Music for Children |
| TH A 451 | Storytelling and Folk Literature |
| TH A 452 | Theatre in Education |
Capstone Experience (formerly in core) 4 units
Must be taken concurrently.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 600 | School Age Field Work Seminar (2) |
| CAD 601 | School Age Field Work (2) |
Total Concentration in School Age Child and Family: 28 - 29 units
Total in Major: 46 - 47 units
Concentration in Youth Work and Out of School Time
See general information for all Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development candidates above.
The youth work and out of school time concentration prepares students to work primarily with school-age children and adolescents with a focus on out of school time programs. Such programs include afterschool programs, juvenile justice, recreation, residential treatment, social services, mental health, and public health.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Courses (see above): 18 units
Youth and Context 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| H ED 660 | Developing Health Youth in Schools and Communities |
| AFRS 678 | Urban Issues of Black Children and Youth |
| C J 470/ SOC 452 |
Juvenile Justice (4) |
| C J 475 | Intervention Policies in Juvenile Justice |
| C J 485 | Issues of Criminalization of Latino Youth |
| RRS 480 | Youth Culture, Race and Resistance |
Youth Development 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CFS 321 | Adolescents and Families |
| PSY 430 | Adolescent Psychology |
Community Youth Development 3 units
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 400 | Community Youth Development |
Experiential Learning 4 units
Courses must be taken concurrently
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 430 | Experiential and Activity Based Learning Seminar (2) |
| CAD 431 | Experiential and Activity Based Learning Practice (2) |
Special Topics 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| RPT 330 | Arts and Crafts for Leisure |
| RPT 380 | Developmental Play Processes |
| RPT 440 | Urban Recreation, Park and Leisure Services |
Ethics 3 units
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 540 | Ethics and Principles in Serving Youth |
Program Development and Evaluation 3 units
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| RPT 400 | Programming in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism |
Culminating Experience 4 units
Courses must be taken concurrently
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 630 | Youth Work and Out of School Time Internship Seminar (1) |
| CAD 631 | Youth Work and Out of School Time Internship (3) |
Total Concentration in Youth Work and Out of School Time: 26 - 27 units
Total for Major: 44 - 45 units
Concentration in Policy, Advocacy, and Systems
See general information for all Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development candidates above.
This policy, advocacy, and systems concentration has been developed for students who wish to pursue a career in public policy, advocacy, and nonprofit administration and/or who wish to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in which advanced knowledge of theory and research methodology are required.
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Courses (see above): 18 units
Policy for Children, Youth, and Families 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 625 | Children, Youth, and Public Policy |
| C J 475 | Intervention Policies in Juvenile Justice |
| H ED 450 | Policy Issues in Health Education |
| PLSI 560/ USP 560 |
Urban Poverty and Policy (4) |
| USP 565 | Social Policy and Family Systems (4) |
Political and Policy Processes 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| PLSI 400/ P A 400 |
Public Policy Process |
| PLSI 480/ USP 480 |
Introduction to Urban Policy and Analysis (4) |
| PLSI 512/ USP 512 |
Urban Politics and Community Power (4) |
Systems and Organizations 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| PLSI 660/ URBS 660/ S W 660 |
The Roles of Nonprofit Organizations in Urban Life |
| SOC 452/ C J 470 |
Juvenile Justice (4) |
| S W 302 | Introduction to Social Service Organizations |
| S W 350 | Services to Children, Youth, and Their Families |
Program Development, Evaluation, and Administration 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 400 | Community Youth Development |
| CAD 510 | Adult Supervision and Leadership in Early Childhood Programs |
| H ED 660 | Developing Healthy Youth in Schools and Communities |
| RPT 370/ P A 370 |
Principles of Nonprofit Administration |
| RPT 400 | Programming in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism |
| RPT 570/ P A 570 |
Developing & Managing Resources in Nonprofit Agencies |
| TPW 490 | Grantwriting |
Advocacy and Community Organizing 3 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 650 | Child Advocacy |
| RRS 410/ SOC 410 |
Grassroots Organizing for Change in Communities of Color |
| H ED 455 | Community Organizing and Community Building for Health |
| S W 456/ USP 456 |
Urban Community Organizing & Citizen Action |
Research and Statistics 3 - 4 units
Choose one.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 520 | Demography of Children, Adolescents, and Their Families |
| PLSI 493/ USP 493 |
Data Analysis (4) |
| PSY 371 | Psychological Statistics |
| SOC 393 | Quantitative Analysis of Social Data (4) |
Culminating Experience 4 units
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| CAD 640 | Policy, Advocacy, and Systems Capstone |
Total Concentration in Policy, Advocacy, and Systems: 22 - 26 units
Total for Major: 40 - 44 units
