Child Development

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Shape little minds & make a big impact!

Our Child Development program prepares you to become an early childhood educator and professionals who work directly with children and families in schools and communities. We know social-emotional development is crucial, building the foundation for everything from learning to communication. That's why it's at the heart of everything we do!

We go beyond the classroom

Prevention is key, and our program equips you with the tools to make a difference before challenges arise. Through hands-on, community-based learning experiences, you'll gain real-world skills helping children thrive.

Group of children at the center — SDSU Children's Center

Get involved from the start

Our field experience programs offer supervised work in community agencies, children's programs, the SDSU Children's Center, and multiple school districts across San Diego. Imagine guiding playtime at a local center, assisting teachers in classrooms, or even observing at the renowned SDSU Children's Center!

Focus on social-emotional learning

Understand how children develop healthy relationships, manage emotions, and build essential life skills.

Prevention-oriented approach

Learn strategies to help children thrive before challenges arise.

Real-world experience

Gain hands-on skills through diverse community partnerships and prepare for various careers in education, therapy, social work and more.

Ready to make a difference in the lives of children? Explore our Child Development program and see how you can turn your passion into a career!

Prepare for a professional career

The interdisciplinary Child Development Major, Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences (major code 08231/330909) prepares students for a variety of professional career specialties. Graduates with competencies in this major find positions in:

Early care and education settings
Schools
Hospitals and clinics
Residential facilities
Counseling and mental health centers
Public welfare and family service agencies
Family planning clinics
Community programs
Business, industry, and government agencies

Descriptions of career opportunities of the major are available from SDSU Career Services

Permits: State-licensed, publicly-funded, center-based childcare and child development programs will typically require a Child Development Permit. Visit the California Child Development Permits for more information.

Prepare for a teaching credential program

Students can enter teaching credential programs (single subject/secondary education, multiple subjects/elementary education, and special education) upon graduation. Further Information about ways to meet credential and certification requirements are available at teach.sdsu.edu.

Prepare for graduate study

A child development major provides preparation for graduate study in:

child or family development
developmental or school psychology
social work
counseling
marriage and family therapy
special education
law
social-emotional behavior modification
other social sciences

Our program's focus on family, schools, and global contexts gives you a well-rounded understanding of children's lives. Plus, hands-on practicums equip you with real-world skills to make a difference from day one.

Develop a range of skills, knowledge, competencies, and experience

The special skills, experiences, and areas of knowledge gained in the dhild development major are varied and include:

Developmental perspectives
Knowledge of the development (physical, psychological, emotional, social) of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, adolescents, and adults
Knowledge of family violence and child maltreatment
Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Inclusion, team-teaching, interagency community networking, cross-discipline experiences
Atypical development
Advocacy and public policy
Knowledge of dating, marriage, parenting, parent-child and peer relationships, family development, adulthood and aging
Early intervention skills
Community engagement and research skills

Admission criteria

To be admitted into the interdisciplinary Child Development Major, Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences (major code 08231), students must meet the following supplementary admission criteria:

Complete with a grade of C or higher:

Child and Family Development 135, 270, 270L, 272, 275, 278
Biology 100; Psychology 101; Sociology 101; and Psychology 280 or Sociology 201 or a 3-unit elementary statistics course
Complete a minimum of 45 baccalaureate-level semester units (a minimum of 60 units is required for all transfer applicants)
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.40 or higher.

May I take a CFD class if I don’t have the prerequisites?
No, prerequisites are strictly enforced in the CFD Department.

May I take a CFD class if I am concurrently taking the prerequisite class/classes?
No, prerequisite classes must be completed.

Learn more about admission and application procedures.

Community college transfer students

How do I know if a class I took at a California community college or university is accepted for a class at SDSU?
Students should visit the website, ASSIST. It is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.

What do I do if a class I took at a community college or other university is not included in ASSIST?
The CFD Undergraduate Advisor can accept a course taken at another institution if the coursework is the same as the SDSU course. Students need to meet with the advisor with a catalog description of the course and the course syllabus. If accepted, the advisor will complete the paperwork to accept the course.

Coursework

The University Catalog: Child Development, B.S. indicates the required CFD classes. Your Degree Audit Report (available in my.SDSU) and the MyMap are also helpful tools. Most importantly, use the education plan made in consultation with your CFD major advisors.

Grades, Credit/No Credit

What do I do if I earn a grade lower than a C in the “Preparation for the Major” classes?
The student must retake the class and earn at least a C.

Must I retake an upper division CFD class if I earn a grade lower than a C?
No, the class does not need to be repeated, but in order to graduate, the Major GPA cannot fall below a 2.0.

Can the “Preparation for the Major” classes be taken credit/no credit?
No.

Can upper division CFD classes or classes in the Master Plan be taken credit/no credit?
No.

Required upper-division units

The Child Development major requires a minimum of 53 upper-division units to include:

CFD 335, 354, 370, 375A, 375B, 375C, 475, 537, 560, 575, 578, 590, 598, and:
2 of the following: CFD 378A, 378B, 378C, and 378D
12 units of upper-division electives

Education Plan

The Education Plan is a semester-by-semester guide that includes the student’s CFD Major Requirements and other courses required for graduation.

Your advisors will revise and update your education plan at every academic advising meeting and share a copy with you. You can also request a digital copy at any time.

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit MyMap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill the major requirements.

Moving from pre-major to major

What are the requirements to move from the “pre-major” to the “major?”
All students must complete a series of “Preparation for the Major” classes (see catalog) and earn at least a C in each class. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.4 and have completed a total of no fewer than 45 units. Once this is done, students will move from the “pre-major” to the “major” and may begin taking upper division CFD classes.

How do I move from the “pre-major” to the “major?”
At the end of each semester, after grades have been processed, students will automatically be changed from the pre-major to the major if they have met the requirements indicated in the preceding question. Students will be notified of the change via email. When students take classes at other institutions, this process may not happen automatically. If so, students should meet with the CFD Undergraduate Advisor to expedite the process.

G.E. Requirements

Follow the University Catalog and the requirements of the Child Development major:

You may follow the G.E. requirements in effect during the year entered SDSU or another campus in the CSU system or a California Community College, provided that continuous attendance, (as defined in the University Catalog) was maintained.
You may follow the University Catalog that is currently in effect at the time of entrance to SDSU or the University Catalog that is in effect at the time of graduation.
You may follow the Child Development major requirements of the University Catalog that is current (in effect) at the time of the declaration of the major or that is in effect at the time of graduation.

Note: Students need to work with the Undergraduate Advisor and/or Department Chair to make sure that they are meeting graduation requirements.

Degree Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Map

#	Learning Objective	Signature Assignment	Level of Mastery
1.	Students know and understand typical and atypical development characteristics and needs across the lifespan (NAEYC S1; NCFR Area 3; PE 1).	CFD 270 – Exam CFD 590 – Final Paper, Developmental Disabilities	Introduced Integrated
2.	Students know and understand family dynamics and interaction across the lifespan (NAEYC S2; NCFR Areas 1, 2, 5, 6, & 7).	CFD 135 – Exam CFD 536- Divorce Perspectives Paper	Introduced Integrated
3.	Students use their understanding of and relationships with children and families to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive learning and development for all children and families (NAEYC S4; NCFR Area 10; PE 3, 4 & 5).	CFD 275 – Video Documentation Project CFD 475- Behavior Support Plan	Introduced Integrated
4.	Students demonstrate in-depth, critical knowledge of theory relevant to the child and family development profession (NAEYC S3 & S4; NCFR Area 3; PE 1).	CFD 135 – Exam CFD 560- Theory paper	Introduced Integrated
5.	Students possess high-level communication skills (NAEYC S5; NCFR Area 9; PE 6).	CFD 378 – Performance Indicators 378A/B CFD 598- Portfolio	Introduced Integrated
6.	Students demonstrate a high level of cultural responsiveness (NAEYC S2; NCFR Areas 1 & 9; PE 1,2,3,4,5,6)	CFD 335- Exam CFD 578 – Group Project, Supporting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion	Introduced Integrated
7.	Students identify and conduct themselves as members of the child development profession (NAEYC S5; NCFD Areas 8 & 9; PE 6)	CFD 272- Program Analysis CFD 575- Advocacy Project	Introduced Integrated