Child and Adolescent Development

This Child and Adolescent Development AA-T is designed specifically for students interested in the interdisciplinary fields of Child and Adolescent Development in addition to teaching. The degree provides students with the lower division preparation required for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) to pursue alternative career paths such as Child Development, Human Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Child Development. It is strongly recommended that students contact a GWC counselor to develop an official Student Educational Plan to discuss non-CSU universities or if they have questions about the AA-T in Child and Adolescent Development for CSU Transfer.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the psychological, physical, and cognitive influences on child development.
2. Assess how socialization and culture impact the lives of children and families
3. Identify developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate strategies to address diverse approaches to learning.
4. Implement guidance strategies with children and adolescents.
5. Synthesize research-based theories including principles and practices of child and adolescent development and learning.

Potential careers students may enter upon completion are as follows:

• Preschool Teacher
• Preschool Administrator
• Elementary School Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Social Services
• Rehabilitation
• Program Evaluation
• Research and Development

REQUIREMENTS

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
• Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
• Completion of Cal-GETC.

Students should consult a GWC counselor to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.