DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Patricia A. Szeszulski

DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Education Classroom 105

DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
http://hhd.fullerton.edu/CAS

PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development
Minor in Child and Adolescent Development

FACULTY
Sylvia Alva, Katherine Bono, Jacqueline Coffman, Jessica Gomel, Leslie Grier, Enid Gruber, Diana Wright Guerin, Ellen Junn, Janna Kim, Leigh Hobson, Kari Knutson Miller, Sharon Seidman, Pamella Oliver, Mark Runco, Susan Shipstead, Patricia A. Szeszulski, Sharon Willmer, Shelli Wynants, Shu-Chen Yen

INTRODUCTION
Child and Adolescent Development is a social science concerned with the study of development and the interrelationships between the developing person, family, and community. The major is designed to provide students with knowledge about empirically derived biological-physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones; individual differences; and common variations in development in order to interact effectively with children, adolescents, and families from diverse backgrounds in a variety of educational and service settings. Effective work with and advocacy on behalf of children, adolescents, and families are informed by research, theory, developmental methodologies and practices, fieldwork experience, and relevant professional and ethical standards. Moreover, the curriculum provides students with tools to acquire, evaluate, communicate, and disseminate information to sustain a lifelong pursuit of developmental inquiry and enable appropriate and effective responses to changing professional demands.

The Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development provides broad undergraduate preparation for careers in child and adolescent-related professions, including elementary education, special education, early care and education, child/adolescent guidance, and a variety of youth-related social service careers, as well as graduate study in disciplines such as child development, counseling, developmental psychology, and social work.

ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
Academic advisement is provided at both the Fullerton and Irvine campuses through regularly scheduled Overview of the Major sessions and individual student advising appointments. During their first semester as a major, students are required to attend an Overview of the Major session and are expected to consult with a department adviser to develop an academic plan to ensure efficient progress towards graduation. Consult the department website or contact the department office for a schedule of Overview of the Major sessions and available individual advisement appointments.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
The Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development requires the successful completion of a minimum of 51 units in the major consisting of required core classes, advisement track courses, practicum courses, developmental electives, and breadth electives. A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required to satisfy prerequisites to CAS courses; all prerequisites are strictly enforced. A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required in all courses applied to the major.

Required Core Classes (21 units)
Child/Adolescent Studies 101 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 300 Elements of Effective Professional Communication (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 301 Inquiry and Methodology in Development (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 310 Assessing and Observing Development (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 325A Conception through Adolescence (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 325B Age 9 through Adolescence (3)
Child/Adolescent Studies 490T Senior Seminar (3)

Advisement Track (15 units)
Each student, in consultation with a department adviser, selects a 15-unit advisement track in an area of specialization. Standard advisement tracks include elementary education, special education, early care and education, adolescent/youth services, preparation for master’s/doctoral degrees or other specialized training, and general studies in child and adolescent development.

Practicum Courses (6 units)
Students take the core practicum course (3 units) and one advanced, advisement track-specific practicum course (3). Students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of supervised fieldwork while enrolled in each of the two required fieldwork courses.

Core Practicum Course (3 units)
Child/Adolescent Studies 394 Seminar (2)
and
Child/Adolescent Studies 394L Practicum in Child Development (1)

One of the following advanced, advisement track-specific practicums (3 units)
Child/Adolescent Studies 464 Seminar (2) and
Child/Adolescent Studies 464L Practicum in Early Care and Education (1)
Child/Adolescent Studies 474 Seminar (2) and
Child/Adolescent Studies 474L Practicum in Development in School Settings (1)
Child/Adolescent Studies 484 Seminar (2) and
Child/Adolescent Studies 484L Practicum in Adolescent/Youth Services (1)
Child/Adolescent Studies 494 Seminar (2) and
Child/Adolescent Studies 494L Practicum in Youth and Families in Community Settings (1)

Developmental Electives (3 units)
CAS 340 Parenting in the 21st Century (3)
CAS 345 Development in Diverse Contexts (3)
CAS 360 Adolescents and the Media (3)
CAS 365 Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (3)
* CAS 490T Senior Seminar
*Must select different seminar topic than taken for required core (3)

Breadth Electives (6 units)
*Biology 305 Human Heredity and Development (3)
*Approved Cultural Diversity Class (3) (see CAS adviser for approved list)
*Sociology 351 Sociology of Families (3)
OR Sociology 353 Sociology of Childhood (3)
Special Ed 371 Exceptional Individual (3)
OR Special Ed 400 Early Childhood Special Education (3)
*May satisfy a General Education requirement. Consult current Class Schedule.

MINOR IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
For a minor in Child and Adolescent Development, 21 units are required. A minimum of 12 units of coursework for the minor must be distinct from coursework that is applied to the major. No more than 6 units of lower-division coursework may be applied to the minor. Minors pursing a Multiple Subject Teaching credential can use Ed El 315 as an approved elective provided that they document a minimum of 60 hours of field work.

Core Courses (6 units)
CAS 101 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Studies
AND one of the following:
   CAS 312 Human Growth and Development (3)
   CAS 315 Child Development (3)
   CAS 330 Adolescence and Early Adulthood (3)

Research Methods (3 units)
CAS 301 Inquiry and Methodology in Child/Adolescent Development or approved alternate (3)

Practicum (3 units)
CAS 394 Practicum Seminar/Practicum in Child and Adolescent Development (3)

Electives (9 units)
Nine units selected in consultation with department adviser.

MULTIPLE SUBJECTS TEACHING CREDENTIAL PREPARATION
A Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential is required to teach in California public elementary schools. Completion of both the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is an entrance requirement for Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential programs. Further information is available from the Center for Careers in Teaching.

STREAMLINED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Designed for freshmen planning to be teachers, students in the Streamlined Teacher Education Program (STEP) combine their bachelor’s degree requirements with credential program courses to earn both the degree and the preliminary credential in an efficient, well-planned program. Students in STEP-CHAD complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and the requirements for a Professional (preliminary) Multiple Subject Credential (for teaching elementary school) and/or an Education Specialist Credential (for teaching special education).

Students in STEP benefit from early field experience in K-12 classrooms, regular contact with faculty members from their major departments and from the education departments, and regular advisement and support throughout the program. Students in STEP also have multiple opportunities to meet and work with other students in the program, facilitating their social connections with other students with similar career aspirations.

Transfer students may also participate in STEP. To be well-positioned to participate in the program, they must seek advisement from their community college counselors as early in their academic careers as possible. Students in this program must take a particular pattern of courses to satisfy General Education Program requirements. Transfer students should check the Center for Careers in Teaching website for more information.

For further information about STEP, please visit the Center for Careers in Teaching (CCT) website at www.fullerton.edu/cct or visit the CCT directly in H 113.

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT STUDIES COURSES
Courses are designated as CAS in the Class Schedule.