The LaFetra College of Education Child Development Program prepares students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work effectively with infants to age 8, and families during the most critical developmental time in a child’s life.
Courses may be completed entirely online, or in person at our La Verne and Santa Clarita campuses for additional flexibility. Students benefit from small classes sizes and personal attention from advisors and professors.
The Child Development major focuses on studies of the growth and development of children in relation to the family, school, and community. The benefits of a degree in Child Development is distinctive because it emphasizes the significance of the first eight years of life in relation to social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and how to establish positive and respectful relationships with families.
Our program prepares students for careers in: teaching and working with infants, toddlers, preschool, and transitional kindergarten through grade three, social services, counseling, child and family advocacy, child life, and other relater fields. Essential elements within the curriculum and program are:
- Caring and responsive relationships are the foundation of healthy human development
- Understanding developmentally, linguistically, and culturally-appropriate pedagogy
- Applying reflective practice as a tool for lifelong learning
- Culturally responsive interactions enrich and strengthen individuals, families, communities and society
- Summarizing, examining and applying research and theory to practice.
Format
La Verne Online designed its BS in Child Development to fit your schedule, helping you gain the necessary skills to advance your career goals:
- La Verne features asynchronously structured lectures that you can watch on your own time.
- Students can collaborate with each other through Blackboard.
- Online students have access to the same support services as on-campus students through video conferencing, phone, and in-person meetings, including personalized academic advising, financial aid counseling, library resources, study abroad programs, the Academic Success Center, the Sara and Michael Abraham Center for Veteran Student Success, the Career Center, and other support programs.
- If you want to connect with others face-to-face, you have the option to take courses in person at campuses that offer the program, including La Verne and Santa Clarita.
- You may transfer credits from previously earned college coursework toward your degree.
Curriculum
The child development major is designed as a complete four-year program at University of La Verne, but it also complements community college programs in Early Education. Most approved Curriculum Alignment Courses (CAP) from any California Community College, are accepted as equivalencies for the major.
Based on the number of credits transferred and the courses taken per semester, the online BS in Child Development may be completed in as few as 18 months.
Graduates with a 2.75 GPA or better meet initial admission criteria to apply for our teaching credential programs, while a 3.0 GPA or better will qualify you for our Master of Science in Child Development Program.
Careers in Child Development
The Child Development major is ideal for candidates interested in teaching preschool through second grade, or working with infants or toddlers in other professional settings. Graduates of the program are also eligible for the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Ready to Apply?
La Verne’s online bachelor’s in child development program has fall and spring start dates; join the next cohort today!
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