UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2023-2024

Mission Statement

The Department of Child and Adolescent Development is dedicated to promoting and advocating for the well-being of children, adolescents, and families through the pursuits of teaching, research, service, reflective practice, and community engagement.

The department actively promotes racial and social justice and avoids “colorblind” approaches within its teaching, mentoring, and programming. The department recognizes that curricular design and instructional practices have “whitewashed” disciplines, reinforced racist ideals, and impeded the learning and engagement of students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), or first generation. The department is committed to actively interrogating the consequences of legacy practices in the teaching and mentoring process to ensure that students have equitable access to education- and career-enhancing services and supports.

Our mission is threefold: (a) to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be highly effective professionals working with diverse populations in school, service, and community settings; (b) to conduct sound developmentally informed research with implications for improving the lives of children and families; and (c) to make significant contributions to the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles community through fieldwork, service, research, and community engagement.

About the Department

Located within one of the nation’s largest single-campus universities and one of the most diverse regions in the nation, the Department of Child and Adolescent Development provides rich opportunities for students to combine academic pursuits with hands-on experience, which culminates with earning the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development degree.

The program prides itself on its commitment to developing effective leaders, professionals, and scholars committed to solving complex social problems—particularly those impacting youth and families. A major focal point of the program includes training students to be reflective practitioners and to use the scientific method, including evidence-based knowledge, in making personal and professional decisions related to the education, healthy development, and well-being of humans throughout their lifespans. The program provides a strong academic foundation for the next generation of clinicians, teachers, policymakers, and researchers dedicated to serving infants, children, teenagers, and young adults in a global society.

Whether one’s interests lie in the developmental period of infancy, early adulthood, or somewhere in between, the academic programs offered allow students to gain academic and professional skills, while receiving a high level of attention from dedicated faculty who are committed to the long-term success of their students.

When declaring the major, students choose a degree option based on their career, professional and personal interests.

The option in Applied Developmental Science provides students with a strong foundation across theories, research, concepts, and applications of child and adolescent development, spanning conception through early adulthood. This option is versatile, given the breadth of study that students are exposed to and its relevance to a wide range of occupations and professions. Students who complete this option are well-positioned and prepared to enter graduate degree programs that lead to direct-service careers as clinicians, researchers, and teachers who serve populations of all ages.

The option in Early Childhood Development provides focused opportunities for students to develop depth of study in the developmental periods of prenatal, infancy, and early childhood. This option is popular among students who transfer from a California community college as it provides continued educational opportunities in early childhood education and fulfills many of the course requirements for the State of California Child Development Permit—the currently recognized credential for early childhood educators and professionals.

Students majoring in a different field interested in gaining an introductory academic foundation in the study of child and adolescent development can choose to pursue the Minor in Child and Adolescent Development. The minor (18 semester units) complements a variety of majors on campus. Some students, however, choose the minor simply to be more informed and knowledgeable as current or future parents/caregivers. The Minor in Child and Adolescent Development is not open to students in the CADV major.

For more information, please visit the Department of Child and Adolescent Development website.

Academic Advisement

The Department of Child and Adolescent Development is committed to students achieving their personal and professional goals and graduating in a timely manner. Students are strongly encouraged to use the department’s advising resources, such as the Degree Progress Report/Planner, to plan coursework for the major and minor.

The department offers specialized advisement workshops, programming, and individualized appointments for students seeking additional assistance or guidance. For general advisement needs, students can visit with an advisor during the department’s walk-in advising hours or by arranging a one-on-one appointment with a department advisor. Academic advisement appointments can be booked via the department’s online appointment scheduling system. Walk-in hours vary by semester; for the latest information, please contact the department at (818) 677-3385 or the department’s academic advisement center at (818) 677-6350.

The department encourages students to meet with faculty outside of class (i.e., during posted office hours and by appointment) to discuss their academic progress and postgraduation career plans. Six courses in the department (i.e., CADV 250, CADV 394, CADV 470CADV 494CADV 495A, and CADV 495B) provide students with intensive semester-long opportunities to develop personalized plans for actualizing a career and/or graduate-level degrees in child and adolescent development and related fields.

Students in the major are encouraged to participate in the CSU International Programs (i.e., study abroad), the National Student Exchange program, and the CSUN in DC Internship program. Nearly every unit of academic coursework that students complete in these programs is counted toward the child and adolescent development degree requirements.

Careers

The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development degree will be of interest to those who are considering direct-service careers with children and families (e.g., preschool/early childhood education, K-12 education, counseling, school psychology, occupational therapy, clinical social work, nursing, healthcare, child life, early intervention, behavior therapist, family law, etc.), as well as indirect-service professions (e.g., educational researchers, college professors, policy analysts, lobbyists, consultants, school administrators, nonprofit program directors, politicians).

Given the broad interdisciplinary focus of coursework leading to the degree, students can tailor their educational experiences to prepare for a host of professional programs and career pathways. Students are encouraged to use their elective coursework to include classes that are related or required to achieve their ultimate career goals.

Most professional careers in the field of child and adolescent development require advanced degrees and/or credentials and/or licenses, as well as relevant work experience. After completing the Bachelor of Arts degree, many students are well-situated to enter advanced degree and credential programs leading to careers including, but not limited to, early childhood education teachers/directors, elementary and secondary school teachers, special education teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school administrators, school board members, educational researchers, child and family attorneys, child psychologists and therapists, licensed clinical social workers, pediatricians and obstetricians, registered nurses, child-life specialists, genetic counselors, occupational therapists, college/university professors, career counselors, community/youth agency administrators, educational consultants, policy and legislative analysts, and politicians.

Students interested in exploring career options and opportunities are encouraged to visit the Career Center and complete elective coursework that focuses on career/professional development (i.e., CADV 250, CADV 394, CADV 455, CADV 494, CADV 495A, CADV 495B).

Honors

The purpose of the department Honors Program is to recognize and support the development of exceptional Child and Adolescent Development undergraduate students. The department Honors Program allows students the opportunity to engage in advanced-level coursework to better prepare for graduate coursework and careers in the field of Child and Adolescent Development. Interested students should consult with the Honors Program directors and complete an application. Admission to the department’s Honors Program is granted by approval of the department’s Honors Program Selection Committee.

Clubs and Societies

Peer Academic Leaders (PALs)

The Peer Academic Leaders Program (PALs) is a department-sponsored peer-mentoring and peer-advising program open to students in good academic standing who are interested in assisting current and prospective students in successfully navigating the university degree requirements and planning for life after graduation. PALs serve as student ambassadors of the department at on- and off-campus events. Students participating in this program have rich opportunities to develop mentoring and leadership skills while interacting with students, faculty, and staff in the department. For more information on becoming a Peer Academic Leader, visit the department office or contact the PAL faculty advisor.

Child and Adolescent Development Association (CADA)

The Child and Adolescent Development Association (CADA) is a university-registered student organization affiliated with the Department of Child and Adolescent Development. CADA strives to enrich the lives of its members by providing career, academic, and professional development activities. The association also provides opportunities for students to develop social and professional networks within the field of child and adolescent development, education, and child psychology. All students on campus, regardless of major, are welcome to join. For more information, visit the Child and Adolescent Development Association website, send an email to cada@my.csun.edu, or contact the CADA faculty advisor.

Department-Sponsored Academic Internship

Program Director: April Z. Taylor
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 287-D
(818) 677-7211

Assistant Director: Rika Meyer
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 280-D
(818) 677-5243

Students may choose to complete a year-long academic internship at an approved local community agency contracted with the department or on campus under the supervision of a department faculty member. The agencies in the community represent a broad spectrum of settings and career opportunities in the field of child and adolescent development. Participating in the internship program requires that students submit an internship match request. Students are then selected on a competitive basis for a limited number of intern slots at each site. Students must successfully complete the required internship hours in addition to the department’s academic internship courses (i.e., CADV 394 and CADV 494). The assignments and activities in internship coursework support students’ experiential learning through self-reflection and the application of developmental theories and concepts in the community. In these courses, students earn a grade of Credit/No Credit.

In addition to the on-campus seminars and online learning activities, students complete approximately 180 hours of service (generally 6-7 hours per week during the academic year). The department sponsors the CADV Internship and Career Fair each Spring semester, which provides students with opportunities to learn more about the Department-Sponsored Internship Program. Additional information can be found on the Department-Sponsored Internship Program webpage and by contacting the program director or assistant director.

 

Professional and Scholarly Organizations

Students are encouraged to explore regional, national, and international organizations in and related to the field of child and adolescent development. Many professional and scholarly organizations allow undergraduate students to join as student members. Becoming a member of a professional organization can create valuable networks necessary for future employment and future graduate schooling. Also, many organizations provide specialized training opportunities and/or scholarships for undergraduate students. Department faculty members are actively involved in many of the following professional organizations including, but not limited to:

Contact

Department of Child and Adolescent Development
Chair: April Z. Taylor
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 285
(818) 677-3385

Undergraduate Advisement Center
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 293
(818) 677-6350

Department Internship Program
Director: April Z. Taylor
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 287-D
(818) 677-7211

Assistant Director: Rika Meyer
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 280-D
(818) 677-5243

Department Honors Program
Co-Director: Nancy Miodrag
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 289-B
(818) 677-4359

Co-Director: Tissyana Camacho
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 280-F
(818) 677-5250

Jumpstart Program
Director/PI: Emily E. Russell
Project Manager: Osvaldo Cabadas
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 280-E
(818) 677-7727

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