Child & Adolescent Development
College of Health and Social Sciences
Dean: Dr. Alvin Alvarez
Department of Child and Adolescent Development
HSS 348
Phone: (415) 405-3564
Email: cad@sfsu.edu
Website: cad.sfsu.edu
Chair: Linda M. Platas
Program Scope
Through a social justice lens, the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) provides broad undergraduate preparation for students interested in early care and learning, elementary education, special education, and a variety of community, health, and social service careers. The major supports and engages students as they gain knowledge about children, youth, and their families from a developmental perspective and prepares them to serve in school and community settings. All of our concentrations prepare students for advanced study in various disciplines. Students choose courses in their concentration to help prepare for post-graduate studies in fields such as education, law, child life, medicine, psychology, social work, recreation, counseling, and physical therapy.
- Early Care & Education: Prepares students to work primarily with young children (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) and their families. This concentration is recommended for students who wish to meet requirements for the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Early Care and Education concentration is also recommended as preparation for students who wish to become early intervention specialists (birth-kindergarten) and plan to enroll in the Early Childhood Special Education credential program after graduation.
- Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential: Prepares students who wish to become elementary school teachers and plan to enroll in a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential programs or K-12 special education teachers and plan to enroll in the Education Specialist Credential programs after graduation.
- Community, Health, and Social Services: Prepares students to work with children from birth through early adulthood and their families in community, health, and social service settings and/or for advanced degrees and professional programs.
Mission Statement
The Department of Child & Adolescent Development (CAD) prepares students to be competent professionals in their work as advocates for children, youth, and families. Using a social justice lens, CAD values teaching and experiential learning that incorporates diversity of background and experiences, current and relevant research, and high-quality instruction.
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. Although not exhaustive, the career opportunities include:
Early Care and Learning: Preschool Teacher, Infant-toddler Teacher, Site Supervisor, Program Director, Curriculum Specialist, Parent Educator, Family Advocate, Behavioral Technician, Family Child Care Provider, Child Care Resource & Referral Specialist, Speech and Language Pathologist*, Early Childhood Special Education Interventionist/Teacher*…
Elementary School Setting: Elementary School Teacher*, Special Education Teacher*, Bilingual Teacher*, American Sign Language (ASL) Teacher*, Resource Teacher*, Principal*, Superintendent of Schools*...
Health-Related Professions: Child Life Specialist*, Physical Therapist*, Pediatric Occupational Therapist*, Nurse*, Pediatric Nurse*, Nurse Practitioner*, Pediatrician*, Family Practice Physician*, Health Educator*, Speech and Language Pathologist*...
Social Services: Social Worker*, Clinical Child Psychologist/Therapist*, Youth Advocate, Counselor*, Marriage and Family Therapist*, Behavioral Technician...
Out-of-School Time: Enrichment Program Leader, Youth Program Leader, Outdoor Program Instructor/Leader, After-School Program Director, Site Coordinator...
Justice System: Child Advocate Attorney*, Juvenile Probation Officer*, Family Law Attorney*...
Government/Non-Profit/Policy: Program Officer*, Grant Writer, Program Evaluator, Education/Tech Curriculum Designer, Program Coordinator, Researcher*, Non-profit Manager*, Advocate/Lobbyist*, Policy Analyst*, International Education Consultant*...
*Requires a graduate degree, additional coursework, or certification/credential/license.
Professor
Soyeon Park (2007), Professor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Associate Professor
Alison E. Baroody (2013), Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ph.D. Purdue University.
Linda Platas (2015), Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley.
Assistant Professor
Rachel Flynn (2020), Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ph.D. University of California, Riverside.
Molly E. Mcmanus (2020), Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin.
Majors
Minor
CAD 120 Child Development, Social Justice, and Academic Success (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to freshmen.
Course Attributes:
- E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
- C2: Humanities
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
CAD 210 Introduction to Applied Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- D1: Social Sciences
CAD 215 Foundations in Early Childhood (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Priority enrollment for freshmen and sophomores.
CAD 223 Infants, Toddlers, and Families (Units: 3)
Research and theories in developmental science and their application in families and communities from conception to age three. (Plus-minus letter grade; RP grading only) [Formerly CFS 323, FCS 223]
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. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]
CAD 260 Children, Families, and Community: An Ecological Perspective (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
- D1: Social Sciences
- Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
CAD 300 Professional Roles and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors.
CAD 326 Developing Language and Literacy Skills in Young Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child Development Pre-K to 3rd Grade majors, Child and Adolescent Development majors, and Early Childhood Development minors; CAD 210* and CAD 260*.
CAD 330 Curriculum and Development in Early Childhood (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors and Early Childhood Development minors.
CAD 400 Community Youth Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; upper-division standing; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
CAD 410GW Applied Developmental Science: Prenatal Through Early Childhood - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors and Early Childhood Development minors; GE Area A2*; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents with grades of C or higher.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
CAD 411 Applied Developmental Science: Middle Childhood through Emerging Adulthood (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; GE Area A2*; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents with grades of C or higher.
CAD 420 Assessment and Observation with Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors and Early Childhood Development minors; CAD 210 or equivalent.
CAD 423 Administration of Programs for Young Children (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors and Early Childhood Development minors; CAD 210 and CAD 260.
CAD 450 Understanding and Working with Diverse Families (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
CAD 460 Globalization and Family Relations (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210, and CAD 260, or equivalents.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CAD 500 Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 300* and CAD 410GW* with a grade of C or better.
CAD 500GW Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Development - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 410* or CAD 411* with a grade of C or higher; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
CAD 510 Adult Supervision and Leadership in Early Childhood Programs (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors and Early Childhood Development minors; CAD 210, CAD 215, and CAD 260 or equivalents with grades of C or higher; CAD 215 or CAD 230 or equivalents with grades of C or higher.
CAD 525 Honors Seminar in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Child and Adolescent Development majors.
CAD 540 Ethics and Principles in Serving Youth (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
CAD 550 Child Life: Theory and Application (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 300*.
CAD 560 Loss and Grief: Children, Youth, Families and Community (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 300*.
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.
CAD 601 Child and Adolescent Development Internship (Units: 2)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Child and Adolescent Development majors; 36 units of major coursework with grades of C or better; approval of internship application; must be taken concurrently with CAD 600.
CAD 610 Early Childhood Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division students; CAD 210 and CAD 260; CAD 215 or CAD 230 or equivalents; concurrent enrollment in CAD 611.
CAD 611 Early Childhood Internship (Units: 2)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division students; CAD 210 and CAD 260; CAD 215 or CAD 230 or equivalents; concurrent enrollment in CAD 610.
CAD 625 Children, Youth, and Public Policy (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
CAD 650 Child Advocacy (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Child and Adolescent Development majors; CAD 210 and CAD 260 or equivalents.
CAD 660 Applied Advanced Developmental Science in Child and Adolescent Development (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior CAD Majors; CAD 210, CAD 260, CAD 300*, and CAD 410*.
CAD 685 Projects in the Teaching of CAD (Units: 1-4)
Prerequisites: A grade of B+ or better in the course that the student will be assisting in and permission of the instructor.
CAD 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-4)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; permission of the instructor and major adviser.