Child Development BA

Total Units Required: 120

An adult and a child sit at a table while he watches the boy draw.

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development provides current knowledge of theories, research, and opportunities for applied practice through internships. This degree focuses on children’s development (i.e., physical, neuro, cognitive, social, and emotional) from prenatal/infancy through emerging adulthood. The diversity of children’s experiences within key developmental contexts (e.g., family life, peer relationships, school and community experiences, gender, culture, trauma, resilience) is explored in specialized courses. The acquisition of knowledge, practice, and skills associated with observation, research, and other assessment practices are emphasized. This major provides three supervised internships that enable students to gain valuable work-related experiences within professional settings.

Strategic Learning Priorities

Students in the child development department become knowledgeable in five areas:

  1. Foundations of child development: students will demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical foundations of the discipline.
  2. Child and environmental assessment and study: students will demonstrate knowledge of assessment issues and perform qualitative and quantitative assessments of children and their environments.
  3. Diversity and developmental context: students will demonstrate knowledge of the multiple environmental contexts in which children grow and develop and will be able to analyze systems that support children's well-being.
  4. Professionalism: students will engage in professional behavior appropriate to the discipline in professional contexts.
  5. Critical thinking: students will apply critical thinking and scientific methods of thinking, including logical and empirical reasoning, to issues regarding children's well-being.

Visit the Department of Child Development in MODC 216, call 530-898-5250, or email chld@csuchico.edu to schedule an advising appointment.