Child and Adolescent Development, B.A.

Program of Study

The Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) major focuses on the developmental processes that occur from conception through the end of adolescence. Students gain a comprehensive overview of typical and atypical development through exploration of empirically derived milestones across biological, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental domains. Course topics focus on developmental trajectories, theories, developmental research methods, ethics, and contexts of development. Throughout the curriculum, special emphasis is placed on the interaction of the individual and environment in the unfolding of development. Students acquire knowledge through exposure to relevant scientific literature, research projects, observations, and fieldwork. The curriculum provides students with a variety of tools to acquire, communicate, and disseminate information so that they may develop a lifelong pursuit of developmental inquiry. Graduates receive an excellent foundation for subsequent careers working with children and adolescents in various fields including research, education, health care, public policy and advocacy, the law, and counseling. The Child and Adolescent Development major is offered through the Psychology Department.

Career Opportunities

The Child and Adolescent Development major provides an excellent preparation for careers in developmentally related public organizations, teaching institutions, service agencies, and mental and physical health facilities. Our undergraduate program provides appropriate background for graduate training in developmental psychology, including experimental, applied, and clinical programs. Coursework in CHAD is also relevant to graduate training in counseling, teaching, medicine, law, child advocacy, and public policy relating to children and adolescents.

Special Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development

Students are required to verify a clear background check including statewide, county, and federal screening (social security number, finger-printing) complete a tuberculosis test, and provide evidence of a history of full immunization against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR). In order to complete the background check process, students will need to complete the first two tasks no earlier than one year (Livescan and TB tests are good for one year) and no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the semester in which they take CHAD 496  (or any course that requires contact with minors). Background checks are also required for persons seeking to work with minors in a number of other contexts (e.g., schools, healthcare facilities); these agencies may have different or additional background check requirements. Students who have reason to believe that a background check would reveal a prior misdemeanor or felony conviction should seek to have these matters expunged from their record if possible and/or seek another major/career path. Students majoring in Child and Adolescent Development or Human Development may not satisfy the lab requirement for the Psychology Minor with PSYC 395 . Students majoring in Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) interested in the Minor in Psychology will need to take 12 units in Psychology coursework that do not count for CHAD. 

CHAD majors may not use Psychology (PSYC) courses to satisfy upper-division GE requirements (BB and/or DD).

General Education (51 Units)

General Education Requirements 

Preparation for the Major (15 Units)

Major Requirements (33 Units)

Minimum Total (120 Units)

Students must take a sufficient number of elective units to bring the total number of units to a minimum of 120

*Six units of Lower-Division General Education  requirements are satisfied through Lower-Division Preparation coursework (PSYC 100  and PSYC 210 ).