Child and Adolescent Development

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joel Kassiola

Child and Adolescent Development Program
Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, & Families
HSS 339
415-338-2056
Fax: 415-338-2880
Director: Thereasa A. Cronan

Advising Coordinator: Marjorie J. Seashore

Faculty

Professors—Chaney, Hanson, Heinstein, Hittner, Lane, Langbort, Loewy, Okutsu, Piontkowski, Seashore, Spencer

Associate Professors—Bernard-Powers, Ford

Assistant Professor—Meier

Lecturer—Steinman

Programs

B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Young Child and Family
B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in School-age Child and Family
B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Youth and Family
B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Research and Public Policy


Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development is an interdisciplinary, cross-professional undergraduate degree for students interested in studying and working with issues related to children, adolescents, and families.

The Child and Adolescent Development program is housed in the Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families. The mission of the institute is trifold: to further educational excellence through the delivery of the interdisciplinary child and adolescent development curriculum; to promote collaboration among faculty, and to create public outreach, social advocacy, and other partnerships between SFSU and the community; and to foster research and scholarly work in the area of children, youth, and families. The interdisciplinary Edelman faculty are members of departments from colleges across campus and are knowledgeable about careers in the field.

The child and adolescent development major is designed to convey a broad range of knowledge about child and adolescent development along with applications of this knowledge to services for children and families, as well as to research and public policy development. The core requirements introduce the student to child and adolescent development theory and practice with emphases on family systems and cultural diversity. The degree also includes specialized concentrations which focus on research and practice related to (1) the young child and family, (2) school-age child and family, (3) youth and family, (4) policy studies and research. Courses in the major include didactic in-class assignments, research, observation of children and adolescents, and an internship.

The degree 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 Young Child and Family concentration. Others who wish to focus on education to prepare them to work in social agencies such as residential treatment facilities for school-age children and youth and their families, or after school programs, probation, community-based children's programs, will choose specialized study in either the School-age Child and Family concentration or the Youth and Family concentration. Finally, students who are preparing for work in research or policy fields related to children, youth, and their families, or desire a foundation in child and adolescent development as preparation for advanced study in disciplines such as education, medicine, social work, or physical therapy will select the Research and Public Policy concentration.

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 to work with children, youth, and families. Graduates who want to work with young children and their families as infant-toddler/pre-school teachers or child care professionals are in high demand. There are 6,000 children in San Francisco alone on waiting lists for child care programs. Recent research has documented that as many as 80% of early care and education programs fail to meet minimum standards of quality. There is a strong need for well educated professionals to staff and administer quality child care programs.

There is a growing demand for fully prepared professionals to teach kindergarten through 12th grade. The increase in school-age children in California, the significant numbers of teachers planning to retire within the next few years, and the class size reduction initiative have all led to a shortage in teachers. This shortage is seen not only in California but nationwide. The U.S. Department of Labor has identified the teaching profession as one of the fastest growing need areas. This need is expected to continue for the next five to ten years. It is planned that this degree will strengthen pre-service preparation in child and adolescent development for students who plan future careers in teaching.

A local survey of potential employers found that they want staff with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge about child and adolescent development. Employment opportunities are especially strong for graduates wanting to develop careers working with children, youth, and their families in the areas of infant-toddler/pre-school and K-5 teaching, social services in public and private institutions, and those interested in research and public policy development. This degree also sets a firm foundation for graduates who wish to pursue post-baccalaureate education towards master's and doctoral degrees.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

Prerequisites

Students should develop their program of study in consultation with a program adviser. Prior to beginning the CAD major or enrolling in CAD 300, students must complete the following two courses (or equivalent courses at another institution which have been approved by a CAD program adviser):

CFS 320 Children and Families
PSY 330 Child Development

Core Requirements Units
Introduction to the Field 3
CAD 300 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development
Family Systems 3-4
CFS 325 Transitions in the Family Life Cycle
SOC 464 Families and Society (4)
SPCH 515 Family Communication (4)
Cross-cultural Perspectives 3-4
ISED 585 Cross-Cultural Education
PSY 455 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Psychology
SPCH 542 Intracultural Communication (4)
Specific Cultures 3
AAS 315 Chinese American Personality
AAS 335 Japanese American Personality
AAS 355 Psyche and Behavior of Filipinos
AAS 375 Vietnamese American Identity
AIS 530 American Indian Psychology
BLS 515 Black Family Studies
BLS 525 Black Child Development
BLS 678 Excellence and Equity: Black Children and Youth
JS 341 The Jewish Family
LARA 510 Psychodynamics of the La Raza Family Structure
WOMS 561 Women of Color in the U.S.
Developmental Perspectives--one course selected from two topic areas 6-7
Physical Development
KIN 487 Motor Development
Social Development
CFS 421 Children and Stress
EED 305 Teaching Young Children: Enhancing Social, Emotional, and Physical Development
PSY 433 Social, Emotional, and Personality Development
REC 380 Developmental Play Processes
Cognitive Development
PSY 432 Cognitive Development: Language, Thinking, and Perception
Communication Development
CD 655 Dynamics of Communicative Development
SPCH 508 Children's Communication (4)
Atypical Development 3
PSY 435 Behavior Problems of Children
REC 445 Recreation Therapy and the Expressive Arts
SPED 330 Introduction to Disabilities
SPED 370 Introduction to Atypical Infants
Research 3-4
ISED 630 Introduction to Evaluation in Education
PLSI 492 Research Methods (4)
PSY 400 Introduction to Research in Psychology (4)
PSY 540 Introduction to Psychological Field Research
SOC 392 Sociological Research--Methods and Techniques (4)
SPCH 661 Communication Research (4)
Total for core 24-28
Area of Concentration
Courses in one of the following areas of concentration: Young Child and Family; School-age Child and Family; Youth and Family; Research and Policy. (See below)
19-28
Total for concentration 19-28
Total for major 43-56

Young Child and Family Concentration

This concentration 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 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.

Program Units
Core Courses (see above) 24-28
Observation and Assessment 3
EED 610 Observation and Assessment Techniques with Young Children
Preschool Curriculum and Methods 3
EED 602 Curriculum for the Young Child
CFS 322 Early Childhood Education Curriculum
Child Development 3
CFS 323 Infant Toddler Development
EED 611 Infant Toddler Development
BLS 525 Black Child Development*
EED 600 The Young Child Development and Learning
EED 612 Development: The School-age Child
Curriculum Specialties Development 6
EED 677 Anti-Bias Curriculum
EED 613 Creative Arts for the Young Child or
  ART 450   Art for Children
EED 614 Basic Mathematics/Science Concepts with Young Children or
  EED 615   Nature Study and Outdoor Education
EED 616 Language and Communication Skills with Young Children
EED 697 Play and Play Environments for Young Children or
  REC 380   Developmental Play Processes*
MUS 601 Music for Children
Working with Families 3
EED 604 Working with Parents in Group Programs for Young Children
EED 306 Recognizing the Needs of Children and Families in Contemporary Society
Children and Families with Special Needs 3
CFS 426 Family Crises
CFS 427 Families with Alcohol/Drug Dependency and Eating Disorders
CFS 428 Families with Violence, Abuse, and Neglect
CFS 429 Divorce, Remarriage, and Stepfamilies
COUN 680 Violence Intervention for Early Childhood Administrators
SW 350 Child Welfare
SPED 370 Introduction to Atypical Infants*
Classroom Experience/Fieldwork 3-6
CFS 423 Administration of Programs for Young Children and
  CFS 424   Supervised Field Experiences with Young Children
EED 605 Supervised Fieldwork: Child Development Focus
EED 608 Supervised Fieldwork: Curriculum Focus
Total for concentration 24-27
Total for major 48-55

* If not selected in the core.

School-age Child and Family Concentration

This concentration has been developed for future teachers and other students who wish to work primarily with elementary school age children and their families. The degree includes course work for the subject matter preparation for teaching in elementary schools. Teaching in public schools also requires additional course work for completion of a teaching credential.

Program Units
Core Courses (see above) 24-28
Communication Development
(If you are using a course from this area to meet core requirements, substitute one course from another area listed in the Core Requirements under Developmental Perspectives)
3-4
CD 655 Dynamics of Communicative Development*
SPCH 508 Children's Communication (4)*
Literature 3-4
AAS 502 Asian Child/Teen Literature
ENG 635 Coming of Age in Literature
ENG 655 Literature About and For the Adolescent Reader
SPCH 353 Speech for the Classroom Teacher (4)
SPCH 362 Oral Interpretation of Literature (4)
SPCH 363 Oral Interpretation: First Person Voice (4)
THA 450 Children's Literature and Oral Expression
THA 451 Story Telling and Folk Literature
Mathematics/Science 3
BIOL 300 Nature Study
BIOL 305 Marine Animals and Plants of the California Coast
BIOL 313 Principles of Ecology
BIOL 318 Our Endangered Planet
BIOL 320 Conservation of Natural Resources
GEOG 600 Environmental Problems and Solutions
MATH 565 Geometry, Measurement, and Probability
Physical Education 3
KIN 401 Elementary School Physical Education, K-5
REC 380 Developmental Play Processes*
Social Science 3-4
BLS 515 Black Family Studies*
HIST/SS 469 American Childhoods: Past and Present
LARA 510 Psychodynamics of the La Raza Family Structure*
PSY 430 Adolescent Psychology
PSY 431 Developmental Psychology
PSY 436 Development of Maleness and Femaleness (4)
SOC 464 Families and Society (4)*
SOC 469 Gender and Society (4)
SPCH 503 Sex Roles and Communication (4)
Arts 3
ART 450 Art for Children
MUS 601 Music for Children
THA 551 Creative Dramatics
Early Field Experience 1-6
EED 605 Supervised Fieldwork
EED 608 Supervised Fieldwork Curriculum Development
EED 645 Directed Experiences with Children (2)
EED 646 Seminar: Classroom Observation (1)
ENG 678 Field Experience in the Secondary Classroom (2)
ENG 696 Student Experience in Schools
SS 680 Field Course in Social Science (1-6)
Total for concentration 19-27
Total for major 43-55

* If not selected in the core.

Youth and Family Concentration

This concentration has been developed for students who wish to work primarily with adolescents and their families in public and private institutions and agencies. Course work prepares students who wish to work with this population, or with younger youth and children, in juvenile justice, residential treatment, social services, mental health, and public health may find this a particularly useful concentration.

Program Units
Core Courses (see above) 24-28
Adolescent Development 3
CFS 321 Adolescents and Families
PSY 430 Adolescent Psychology
Family 2-4
AU 300 Parenting in the `90s and Beyond (2)
CFS 321 Adolescents and Families [if not selected above]
CFS 325 Transitions in the Family Life Cycle*
CFS 426 Family Crises
EED 604 Working with Parents in Group Programs for Young Children
SOC 464 Families and Society (4)*
SPCH 515 Family Communication (4)*
Special Topics--Select three courses from at least two different areas 8-12
Health
CFS 427 Families with Alcohol/Drug Dependency and Eating Disorders
H ED 315 Drugs and Society
H ED 450 Policy Issues in Health Education
H ED 520 Health Promotion in Ethnic Communities
H ED 660 Health Issues of Youth in Schools and Communities
LARA 500 Community Health
PSY 525 Community Psychology
SOC 362 The Social Construction of Deviance and Conformity (4)
SPCH 527 Health Communication (4)
Human Sexuality
BIOL 330 Human Sexuality
HMSX 400/ PSY 450 Variations in Human Sexuality
SOC 468 Social Aspects of Human Sexuality (4)
WOMS 533 Women and Men Changing
Recreation
REC 300 Leisure Leadership
REC 330 Arts and Crafts for Leisure
REC 380 Developmental Play Processes*
REC 420 Leisure and Contemporary Society
REC 430 Ecology of Outdoor Recreation
REC 445 Recreation Therapy and Expressive Arts
Social Services
COUN 606 Interviewing Skills
H ED 582 Homelessness: A Public Health Perspective
SOC 451 Criminological Theory (4)
SOC 452/CJ 510 Juvenile Justice (4)
SW 302 Introduction to Social Services Organizations (2)
SW 350 Child Welfare
URBS/SW/PLSI 660 The Roles of Nonprofit Organizations in Urban Life
Fieldwork 3-6
BLS 551 Fieldwork in Black Studies
COUN 605 Interviewing Skills Practicum (1-3)
ENG 696 Student Experience in Schools
LARA 690 LaRaza Community Fieldwork
PSY 558 Field Services Seminar (2) and
  PSY 559   Psychological Field Service (1-3)
Electives
Select one on advisement. Choose from courses listed in areas above or the following or other courses with prior approval of CAD adviser.
3
ENG 635 Coming of Age in America
ENG 655 Literature About and For the Adolescent Reader
Total for concentration 19-28
Total for major 43-55

*If not selected in the core.

Research and Public Policy Concentration

This concentration has been developed for students who wish to pursue a career in the area of public policy development and/or pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in which advanced knowledge of theory and research methodology are required.

Program Units
Core Courses (see above) 24-28
Policy Analysis 13-16
PLSI/URBS 480 Policy Analysis (4)
Select at least one of the following:
H ED 450 Policy Issues in Health Education
SW 350 Child Welfare
URBS 565 Social Policy and the Family (4)
Select two of the following:
ECON 305 Economic Analysis for Non-majors
H ED 450 Policy Issues in Health Education**
HIST/SS 469 American Childhoods: Past and Present
PSY 547 Social Conflict and Conflict Resolution
SOC 452/CJ 510 Juvenile Justice (4)
SOC 464 Families and Society (4)*
SW 350 Child Welfare**
SW 352 Gender, Sexism, and Social Welfare
SW/URBS 456 Urban Community Organizing and Citizen Action
SW/URBS 660 Roles of Nonprofits
SPCH 531 Conflict Resolution (4)
URBS 565 Social Policy and the Family (4)**
Statistics 3-4
ISED 612 Statistical Methods in Education
ISED 630 Introduction to Evaluation in Education*
PLSI/URBS 493 Data Analysis (4)
PSY 371 Introductory Psychological Statistics
SOC 393 Sociological Research--Methods and Techniques II (4)
SPCH 661 Communication Research Strategies (4)
Fieldwork 3-5
PSY 558 Field Services Seminar (2) and
  PSY 559   Psychological Field Service (1-3)
URBS/PLSI 603 Public Service Internship and
  URBS/PLSI 604   Internship Seminar (1)
Culminating Experience 3
CAD 699 Independent Research Study
Total for concentration 22-28
Total for major 46-56

*If not selected in the core.
** If not selected in previous listing.