Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Child Development

College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing
Department of Child Development

Program Description

The field of Child Development is dedicated to understanding how individuals change over time from conception through adolescence. Knowledge of developmental processes and the factors that influence development is essential for effectively working with children and for making sound decisions regarding their welfare and promoting individual success. The program in Child Development includes in-class and field experiences to prepare students to become knowledgeable and effective child and family professionals. Foundational coursework prepares students to master the basics of development across different developmental periods. As students advance through the program, they take specialized courses to develop a deeper understanding of the factors related to development, its study, and its application.

Features

The Child Development major is a single-field major. A minor is not required. The program offers students the opportunity to work in the field as well as receive rigorous scientific training. The curriculum spans the period of infancy through adolescence, thus preparing students for working with any age group. Specialized courses such as one on immigrant children or child and family policy provide concrete linkages to the challenges of growing up in diverse settings and of the powerful social and political contexts that shape children’s development.

Academic Advisement

New students are required to see an academic advisor before enrolling in the classes. Students may call the Student Services Center at (310) 243-2120, WH 220. Students are encouraged to use the Smart Planner to plan and enroll in their courses and need to bring their completed Smart Planner report to any advising appointment. Please use this link for information and tutorials: https://www.csudh.edu/registrar/registration/.

Preparation

High school students are encouraged to develop strong competencies in English, mathematics, and the social, behavioral, and life sciences. Both lower and upper-division courses in the major require substantive writing, analytical and critical thinking skills, and a comprehensive understanding of research methods. Thus, adequate academic preparation is strongly advised.

Transfer students should take equivalents of CDV 150 Intro Child Development and MAT 131 Elementary Statistics & Probability, MAT 132 Elementary Statistics & Probability with Algebra Review, or PSY 230 Elementary Statistical Analysis in Psychology.

Graduation With Honors

An undergraduate student may graduate with Honors in Child Development provided that the following criteria are met:

  1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills. 
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the upper-division requirements in Child Development.