The Child, Family, and Consumer Sciences Department offers two baccalaureate degrees:

• Bachelors of Science in Child Development
• Bachelors of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Child Development

The Child, Family and Consumer Sciences Department offers three choices within the Child Development Bachelor of Sciences Degree.

Child Development

The Bachelor of Science in Child Development provides breadth and depth in the child and family sciences. It is an excellent foundational degree for individuals who wish to pursue careers or graduate studies in social services, education, child and family health, family law, counseling, or college teaching. It is also a degree that provides excellent preparation to those who have, or will have, families.

Child Development Practitioner (CDP) Option

The Child Development Practitioner Option is an accelerated, year-round program designed to address the career objectives and academic goals of full-time working professionals who work in infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, and early care and education support programs. Its goals are to cultivate professionals who 1) contribute to, and foster, best practice, 2) engage in, and promote, reflective practice, collaboration, and lifelong learning, 3) build a professional culture that thrives on inquiry and dialogue, and 4) provide leadership in the early care and education field. This option has limited enrollment. Students must meet eligibility requirements and complete an application process in order to be considered for admission to this option.

Pre-Credential Option (PCO)

The Pre-Credential Option prepares prospective teachers for the challenges presented in contemporary elementary school classrooms. It provides students with in-depth coursework in child development and family science to better prepare teachers to understand and work effectively with children and parents. In addition, the option includes interdisciplinary coursework that addresses requirements specified in the California State Standards and is aimed at developing competency in working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations characteristic of California schools and other diverse regions of the country. Emphasis is placed on practical application and pedagogy. This option provides an alternative degree path for students wishing to pursue the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential post-baccalaureate.

Family and Consumer Sciences

The Child, Family and Consumer Sciences Department offers several choices within the Family and Consumer Sciences Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Family Science

Courses focus on individual and family development through the life cycle with analysis of the forces affecting personal and family development and relationships. Career possibilities include: elementary teacher (this requires a credential), child care consultant, child advocate, administrator of family services, counseling , and child care program administrator.

Fashion Merchandising

Courses focus on the many facets of the apparel industry, display techniques, social and psychological aspects of clothing, clothing construction, and fashion analysis, as well as practical application through working in the industry. Computer-aided design is utilized in teaching merchandising and design principles. Career opportunities are found in retail wholesale, and private apparel industries.

Home Economics Teacher Education

Courses under the credential program focus on the preparation of teachers, who will teach in public schools and professionals who will several consultants in business and government.

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