About Child Development and Family Studies

This degree prepares you for a variety of careers including early childhood education, family support, recreation, after-school and school-based professions and after additional study, can enter a variety of careers including TK-12 classroom teaching, school administration, etc.

The Child Development Program is designed so that you may satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College with a major in Child Development and Family Studies. The program is aligned with other ECE/CDEV majors throughout the state Curriculum Alignment Project to allow for statewide uniformity in the major and portability of coursework from other California Community Colleges.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Child Development and Family Studies can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Infant-Toddler Teacher
  • Preschool Administrator
  • Early Childhood Advocate
  • Violence Intervention Community-Based Work
  • Early Interventionist in Special Education

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3  
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3  
ENGL 1A + AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area A Communication/Analytical Thinking 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area G Health Knowledge 2-3  

Total Units: 15-18  

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3  
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Math Requirement See Counselor 5-7  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area G2 Physical Skills 1  

Total Units: 15-17 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 72 Supervised Field Experience in Early Childhood Education 3  
CDEV 73 Observing and Assessing Young Children 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area C Natural Sciences 3-4  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Areas E   3  

Total Units: 15-16 

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 92 Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Programs 3  
CDEV 93 Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area F U.S History & Government 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Area H Ethnic, Women's, Gender, LGBTQ Studies 3  
ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ Degree Applicable Electives See Counselor 6+  

Total Units: 18+

Transfer Options

Many of our Certificates lead up to the AS Degree: The best place to start is with the Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment (12 Units), then follow the map to the degree!

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.