Child and Adolescent Development

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 470, CADV 494, CADV 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.

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).

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.

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:

• American Educational Research Association
• American Psychological Association
• Association for Psychological Science
• California Association for the Education of Young Children 
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• National Association of Social Workers
• National Council on Family Relations
• Society for Research in Child Development
• Society for Research on Adolescence
• Western Psychological Association