The Department of Child and Family Development

General Information

The Department of Child and Family Development is a highly integrated academic unit within the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. The Department offers a B.S. in Child Development in Applied Arts and Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Child Development.

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Mission Statement

The Child and Family Development undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary programs focus on enhancing individual and group development using proactive, preventive, and self-correcting strategies. Viewing individual development holistically, the context of families, communities, and the global society are examined across the life span.

All ages and stages of development including biological, cognitive, emotional, social processes are studied. Training and research embrace the concept of helping individuals and groups reach their full potential in constantly challenging and changing environments.

Respect for diversity, quality of life, and community are emphasized. The interface of high and low technology as it affects the development of children, families, and communities is a major thrust. Since individuals are dependent at different developmental points and situations, the role of advocate in training and research and the need for political awareness and activism are supported.

Reflecting upon the mission statement of the Department, we are reminded that leadership and competence in working with children and families are needed more urgently than ever before. With increasing numbers abounding in teenage pregnancy, crime, drug usage and suicide, we have much work before us to turn the tide. Increasing difficulty for families to meet responsibilities in a complex multicultural society have led to a need for capable governmental agencies, administrators, teachers, caseworkers, and care providers. Government and public service agencies of all kinds look to higher education for preparation of men and women with capabilities of leadership and the skills necessary to serve children and families in the State of California and beyond. The Department of Child and Family Development strives to make a significant contribution to meet this responsibility for preparing future leaders.

More specifically, the mission of the Department is to educate people for employment in the public sector and for employment in certain areas of the private sector. The special skills, experiences, and areas of knowledge gained by a child development major are varied and among which include:

  • developmental perspective
  • knowledge of the development (physical, psychological, emotional, social) of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, pre-teens, adolescents
  • knowledge of family violence and child maltreatment
  • computer and research skills
  • developmentally appropriate curriculum
  • mainstreaming, team-teaching, interagency community networking, cross-discipline experiences
  • developmental dysfunctions
  • advocacy and public policy
  • knowledge of dating, marriage, parenting, parent-child and peer relationships, family development, adulthood and aging
  • early intervention skills
  • cross-cultural perspective
  • curriculum models and approaches
  • program development, administration, and evaluation
  • observational, effective communication, and group dynamic skills

    • The instructional intent of the Department is to train people in specific skills, techniques and knowledge as well as to educate people to think critically and to adapt to changing political and social environments. The faculty strive to develop well-informed, politically and morally sensitive citizens.

    An important part of the Department's mission is to be a resource for the community through faculty expertise, student internships, and through its role as a facilitator of public policy and discussions regarding child and family development issues of significance to the region, the state and the nation. The faculty foster this mission through the pursuit of scholarly research, public presentations, and other academic/community endeavors.

    Academic Information

    The department's academic information area may be helpful. Check this area out for specific departmental information and for links to the main campus' resources.

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