Child Development, B.S.

PURPOSE:

The goals of The Child Development major are to:

1. Provide a vehicle for educating childcare workers and their supervisors in methods of high-quality programs and a belief system that demands positive outcomes for the development and learning of children from birth to age five (5).
2. Prepare graduates for positions of responsibility and leadership in Head Start programs, childcare facilities, private preschools, and family childcare.
3. Serve as a base for a Master’s program in early childhood or elementary education for certification, enabling candidates to teach in schools as well as have a master’s degree.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the growth and development of children including the learning processes, social skills, fine/gross motor coordination, and dispositions such as curiosity, persistence, confidence, and enthusiasm;
2. Value the importance of diversity and different cultures by building strong relationships with families and community;
3. Observe, document, and assess the development of infants and young children, applying results to daily routine schedules and curriculum;
4. Use developmentally appropriate practices for making and selecting materials, arranging the furniture in the learning environment, and teaching the content, including the arts;
5. Demonstrate proficiency in providing a safe and healthy environment for infants and young children; and
6. Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors as advocates for sound educational practices and policies for young children.

A Major in Child Development Requires:

General Education Requirement Courses: 44
Educational Core Requirements: 30
Child Development Core: 32
Restricted Electives: 12
Free Electives: 6
TOTAL: 124 hours