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: 415-405-0401
E-mail: cadp@sfsu.edu
Director: 

Advising Coordinator: Shannon E. Perry

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. Those who wish to teach in elementary schools will choose the School-Age Child and Family concentration; students can complete the subject matter program by taking additional units, they are then exempt from taking the MSAT. 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

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.

* 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.

* 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.

*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.

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