Child and Adolescent Development

College of Health and Social Sciences

Dean: Dr. Alvin Alvarez

Department of Child and Adolescent Development

SCI 394
Phone: (415) 405-3564
Fax: (415) 405-0401
Email: cad@sfsu.edu
Website: cad.sfsu.edu
Chair: Soyeon Park

CAD Metro Academy

GYM 105
Phone: (415) 405-3509
Website: metro.sfsu.edu
Director: Alicia Torres
Email: metroece@sfsu.edu

CAD PATH (Promoting Achievement through Higher Education)

GYM 104
Phone: (415) 405-4340
Website: cad.sfsu.edu/path
Director: Christine Nevarez
Email: path@sfsu.edu

Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, & Families

HSS 258
Phone: (415) 405-3976
Website: edelman.sfsu.edu
Director: David Anderson
Email: mwei@sfsu.edu

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) is for students who are interested in studying about and working with children, adolescents, and their families. The major provides students with knowledge and theories about children and adolescents from a developmental perspective. Students then learn to apply this knowledge to programs, services, and policies for children, youth, and families that are offered in community settings and classrooms. The core courses address professional roles and careers, theories of child and adolescent development, diverse families in a globalized context, action research methods, policy and advocacy, and field experience. In addition to taking core courses, CAD majors select one out of three specialized concentrations that reflects their specific interest.

Those concentrations are:

Early Childhood;
School Age Child and Family; and
Youth Work and Out of School Time

The CAD department offers two special programs:

CAD Metro Academy (Metro)
CAD Metro Academy was developed to support the next generation of leaders for early care and education in urban communities. Metro accepts freshmen who are designated as “Pre–CAD,” and works with them for two years. Metro students receive personalized support for college success through in-class academic support and tutoring. At the core of Metro Academy is a learning community made up of two linked courses each semester, pairing a general education course and a Metro CAD course. After completing the Metro program, students are prepared to complete requirements of their chosen major with the necessary skills for college success. CAD Metro is part of the larger Metro Academies initiative on campus.
CAD Promoting Achievement through Higher Education (PATH)
CAD PATH is part of the CAD major in the Early Childhood concentration. It facilitates completion of the BA degree in CAD for practitioners who work in the field of early care and education. Courses are offered on evenings and weekends so working professionals can take four courses each semester and graduate in two years with a baccalaureate.

The CAD department works with the Marian Wright Edelman Institute for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families. The Edelman Institute’s mission is to support campus and citywide efforts to improve the quality of early childhood education; to promote collaboration among faculty and partnerships between SF State, other higher educational institutions, and the community; and to foster research and scholarly work.

The CAD major is designed to meet the educational and career needs of students with a variety of interests. Students who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree, as well as a Child Development Permit to work as a licensed child care provider in a preschool or childcare center, will choose the Early Childhood concentration. Students who wish to teach in elementary schools will choose the School Age Child and Family concentration. This concentration is excellent preparation for a post-baccalaureate Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program. Others who wish to work in out–of–school time programs such as after-school programs, probation, recreation, residential treatment facilities for school-age children and youth, or other community–based programs for children and youth will choose specialized study in the Youth Work and Out of School Time concentration. All concentrations prepare students for advanced study in disciplines such as law, medicine, psychology, social work, recreation, counseling, or physical therapy.

Career Outlook

The outlook for careers working with children and adolescents is positive. Surveys of employers and community agencies that offer positions working with children, adolescents, and families indicate that there is a need for professionals in those areas who have a strong foundation of knowledge and skills about child and adolescent development. Graduates who want to work with young children and their families as infant–toddler specialists, preschool teachers, or child care providers are in high demand. There are 6,000 children in San Francisco alone on waiting lists for childcare programs. There is a need for well-educated, experienced professionals to staff and administer quality child care and education programs, particularly as the existing center–based workforce with B.A. degrees or higher starts to retire. There is also need to expand the ethnic and linguistic diversity of early child care providers. B.A. degree providers/teachers are particularly needed in centers serving both infants and preschoolers, working with dual language learners, and working with children with special needs.

Professor

RENE FUKUHARA DAHL (1989), Professor of Child and Adolescent Development; B.S. (1973), M.S. (1977), San Jose State University; M.A. (1986), M.A. (1988), Ph.D. (1989), Stanford University.

Associate Professor

SOYEON PARK (2007), Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Development; B.S. (1994), M.A. (1996), Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea; Ph.D. (2001), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Assistant Professor

ALISON E. BAROODY (2013), Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Development; B.S. (2005), University of Illinois; M.S. (2007), Purdue University; Ph.D. (2011), Purdue University.

LINDA PLATAS (2015), Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Development; B.A. (2003), San Francisco State University; M.A. (2004), Ph.D. (2008), University of California, Berkeley.

MOLLY SHEA (2017), Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Development; B.A. (2002), Colorado College; M.B.A. (2010), Ph.D. (2013), University of Colorado Boulder.

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

CAD 120 Child Development, Social Justice, and Academic Success (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to freshmen.

Focus on educational and social justice for child and adolescent development. General education skills, writing, oral communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning, are systematically reinforced. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

E1: Lifelong Learning Develop
C2: Humanities
Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

CAD 210 Introduction to Applied Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.

Study of the growth and development of children from prenatal through adolescence. Physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, moral and emotional aspects of development with attention to both typical and atypical development in each area are discussed. Focus on the influences of culture, family, environment, and abuse/neglect. Introduction to an application of development knowledge to best inform practices and interactions with infants, children, and adolescents. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

D1: Social Sciences

CAD 215 Foundations in Early Childhood (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Priority enrollment for freshmen and sophomores.

Observation of teachers and children under the age of five years in a quality licensed center or program. Foundations and best practices in early childhood education. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 230 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Programs (Units: 3)

Historical context and theoretical perspectives in early care and education. Examination of the role of the early childhood educator, identification of best practices for environmental design, curriculum, and teaching strategies. Exploration of teacher-child relationships, professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

CAD 260 Children, Families, and Community: An Ecological Perspective (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.

Understanding children, families, and community from an ecological perspective. Emphasis on the contribution of basic and applied research to development in relation to family and community.

Course Attributes:

E1: Lifelong Learning Develop
D1: Social Sciences
Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

CAD 300 Professional Roles and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors.

Overview of the field of child and adolescent development including an introduction to careers providing services to children, youth, and families. Topics include current issues and trends in providing services for children, youth and families in the United States, and a historical overview of social services, education and public policies related to children, youth and families. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 325 Jumpstart: Mentoring Young Children (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Jumpstart program.

Models of early childhood intervention are explored with an emphasis on the Jumpstart For Young Children model. Topics include developmentally appropriate child-centered activities to enhance learning, positive adult-child interactions, and family involvement. [CSL may be available]

CAD 326 Jumpstart: Developing Literacy Skills in Young Children (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Jumpstart program.

Training and experience for students working with young children in preschool settings in the development of literacy activities for young children and their families. [CSL may be available]

CAD 330 Curriculum and Development in Early Childhood (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CAD 230 or consent of the instructor.

Curriculum and environments for young children. Exploration of teaching strategies and curriculum development based on theoretical frameworks, observation, and assessment. Focus on the teacher's role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum, including all content areas. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

CAD 400 Community Youth Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; upper-division standing; CAD 210, CAD 260, and ENG 214 or equivalents.

Introduction to youth and community development with an emphasis on community supports and opportunities for healthy youth development. Theories and research used to construct a framework for youth development. Program models and legislation are examined. As part of coursework, students will work off-campus with a local youth/community program. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

CAD 410 Applied Child and Youth Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214, CAD 210, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Understanding of child and adolescent development based upon research and particularly its application to practice. Current and emerging issues associated with the promotion of child and youth development will be reviewed. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 430 Experiential and Activity Based Learning Seminar (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors. CAD 210, CAD 260, and ENG 214 or equivalents; concurrent enrollment in CAD 431.

Development and implementation of an experiential learning activity for youth. Incorporates foundations of the youth development model. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]

CAD 431 Experiential and Activity Based Learning Practice (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210, CAD 260, and ENG 214 or equivalents; concurrent enrollment in CAD 430.

125 hours of supervised youth work in the community to practice the development and implementation of experiential and activity based learning opportunities. (CR/NC grading only) [CSL may be available]

CAD 450 Understanding and working with Diverse Families (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214, CAD 210, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Drawing on a variety of disciplines, examination of experiences of families; including family diversity, theories on families, and challenges families face; application in the areas of family engagement, involvement, and support. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 460 Globalization and Family Relations (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214, CAD 210, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Examination of the concepts of globalization, migration, and transnationalism to understand families and family relations within the larger context of cultural and social influences. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

Global Perspectives

CAD 510 Adult Supervision and Leadership in Early Childhood Programs (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214 or equivalent, CAD 210, CAD 215, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Exploration of adult supervision, administration and leadership in early childhood programs from theoretical and personal perspectives. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 525 Honors Seminar in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper division Child and Adolescent Development majors.

Examination of theory, research, and practice in child and adolescent development that can be applied to international, national, and local contexts. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 540 Ethics and Principles in Serving Youth (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214, CAD 210, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Understanding of practice and service provision, key ethical issues, the values that underpin them, and how youth work can be professionally conducted; ethics within the framework of ecological model. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 600 Child and Adolescent Development Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors; Completion of 30 units in major with grades of C or better; approval of internship application; concurrent enrollment in CAD 601.

Capstone course. Analysis and discussion of agencies that serve children, youth, and families with regard to professional competencies, standards and ethics, leadership, organizational structure and functioning. Prepares students for professional employment in the field of child and adolescent development. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 601 Child and Adolescent Development Internship (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors; completion of 36 units in major with grades of C or better; approval of internship application; must be taken concurrently with CAD 600.

Supervised experience in educational institutions, health and human service agencies, and organizations that serve children, youth, and families. (CR/NC grading only)

CAD 610 Early Childhood Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors with a concentration in Early Childhood; completion of 150 supervised and documented hours working (paid or volunteer) in a licensed center; approval of internship application; CAD 215 or equivalent; concurrent enrollment in CAD 611.

Preparation for professional employment in organizations that serve young children and their families; discussion of issues with peers, reflection of initial classroom practices, identification of teaching strengths and weaknesses, and enhancement of own professional development. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 611 Early Childhood Internship (Units: 2)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors with Early Childhood concentration; completion of 150 supervised and documented hours working (paid or volunteer) in a licensed center; approval of internship application; CAD 215 or equivalent; concurrently enrollment in CAD 610.

Preparation for professional employment in organizations that serve young children and their families; evaluation based on growth and development within standards, competencies and practices to best support development outcomes of children and management of classroom environments. (CR/NC only)

CAD 625 Children, Youth, and Public Policy (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; ENG 214, CAD 210, CAD 260, or equivalents.

Overview of how public policies for services for children and youth are developed, adopted, and implemented; policy process and historical and current policy issues in areas of education and child care. (Plus-minus letter grade only; CR/NC not allowed)

CAD 630 Youth Work and Out of School Time Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors with a concentration in Youth Work; approval of internship application; concurrent enrollment with CAD 631.

Reflection on CAD 631 experience; sharing experiences; enhancing tools to promote professional development. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 631 Youth Work and Out of School Time Internship (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors with a concentration in Youth Work; approval of internship application, concurrent enrollment with CAD 630.

175 hours of supervised youth work in the community. The experience will be guided by measurable goals that are relevant to the community site and students' aspiration. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 640 Policy, Advocacy, and Systems Capstone Experience (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors with a concentration in Policy, Advocacy, and Systems.

Synthesize, integrate, and apply the knowledge students have gained during their previous coursework in the major. Learning experiences include a community service learning volunteer placement and completion of an online portfolio of academic work. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

CAD 650 Child Advocacy (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210, CAD 260, and ENG 214 or equivalents.

Effective advocacy for children in a variety of settings: organizations, communities, human services systems, regional government, and legislatures. Strategies learned in class will be applied to real-life issues in a community service learning component. [CSL may be available]

CAD 680 International Field Study in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Child and Adolescent Development majors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or consent of instructor.

Comparison of child development programs and settings in international venues with that of the U.S. Involves travel as a group for 2 to 3 weeks to selected countries outside the U.S. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

CAD 685 Projects in the Teaching of CAD (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; grade of B+ or better in course assisting.

Instructional aides have opportunity to increase knowledge of course topic and understanding of teaching and learning. Provide assistance to students in class activities. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

CAD 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; consent of instructor and major adviser.

An intensive study of a particular issue in child and adolescent development selected by the student. Enrollment by petition. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.