A.A.-T Degree for Transfer: Child and Adolescent Development

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Associate's Degree for Transfer in two years. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). The plan includes four semesters, each with an average course load of 15 units, and follows the Plan 2 Cal-GETC General Education pattern. You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The Associate in Arts in Child Development and Adolescent Development for Transfer (AA-T) prepares students to move into a curriculum at a four-year institution leading to a baccalaureate degree in Child Development, Human Development, or Child and Adolescent Studies. Please consult a counselor regarding specific course requirements for your transfer institution. Completion of the AS-T degree also provides guaranteed admission with junior status to the CSU system although does not guarantee admission to a specific campus or major.

The focus of the Child and Adolescent Development degree is to give students planning to work with children, adults, and their families, who may not be interested in a curricular or classroom focus, an opportunity to transfer and pursue another specialty within child and adolescent development. Students will become equipped with valuable skills in communication and critical thinking. They also build knowledge understanding human behavior making it versatile for careers focused on supporting and improving children’s and adolescents' lives outside of the classroom. This may include careers in child life, counseling, education, home visitation programs, human services, mental health, recreation, school psychology, social work, or related fields.

Requirements for all Associate Degrees for Transfer:

  1. Completion of 60 semester CSU transferable units.
  2. Completion of the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC). The CSU-GE (California State University General Education Breadth) or IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) pattern may be used in some cases; please see a counselor for details.
  3. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of at least a 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
  4. Minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major. If the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis the "P" must be equal to a "C" or better.
  5. Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units in the major or area of emphasis.

Evaluate different perspectives that affect the growth and socialization experiences of children and adolescents.

Analyze biological, psychological and environmental influences used to study child and adolescent development.

Demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives, theories, research methods, and core concepts of child development as an area of scientific inquiry.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment in your first semester.

CSU Transfer Success Pathway: If eligible, enter into a CSU Transfer Success Pathway agreement at the beginning of your first semester to receive a guaranteed admission to the degree program and campus of your choice. Visit the SAC Transfer Center for more information.

First Semester

15-16 units
CDEV C1000
Child Growth and Development
Students examine the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identify developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on interactions between biological processes, environmental, and cultural factors. Students may engage in various methods of observing children's development to evaluate individual differences and analyze development characteristics at various stages according to developmental theories. A student will not receive credit for this course if they have already taken Psychology 157. Formerly: CDEV 107 - Child Growth and Development (DS1)
    Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
    Plan 1: 7A. Lifelong Understanding
    Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    PSYC C1000
    Introduction to Psychology
    This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences; their applications; and their research foundations. Formerly: PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology.
      Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
      Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
      ENGL C1000
      In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Formerly: ENGL 101 - Freshman Composition.
      In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This course includes embedded support.
      In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This is an honors course. Formerly: ENGL 101H - Honors Freshman Composition.
      In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Formerly: ENGL 101 - Freshman Composition.
      AND
      Laboratory exercises are designed to explore and understand the reading process, the writing process, grammar and punctuation rules in order to successfully complete English C1000. This class must be taken concurrently with an English C100 course.
      COMM C1000
      Introduction to Public Speaking
      In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. Formerly: CMST 102 - Public Speaking.
        Plan 1: 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
        Plan 2: 1C. Oral Communication
        CHOICE: Elective

        To maximize your Promise Program benefits and support your academic, career, and personal development goals, consider taking CNSL 100 or CNSL 116. 

        Second Semester

        16 units
        CDEV 110
        Child, Family, and Community (DS2)
        The processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts. Explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children's development, birth through adolescence. (Same as APCD 110)
          Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
          CDEV 112
          Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Children
          Laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in care and education settings for children birth through middle childhood. Includes the teacher’s role in prevention strategies, nutrition and meal planning, integrating health safety and nutrition experiences into daily routines, and overall risk management.
            ART 100
            Introduction to Art Concepts
            A study of the visual arts in relation to both personal and cultural expressions. Fundamentals of visual organization, color theory, terminology, historical art movements and concepts will be studied. Required for art majors.
              Plan 1: 3A. Arts
              Plan 2: 3A. Arts
              STAT C1000 or PSYC 210
              This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. Formerly: MATH 219 - Statistics and Probability.
              This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This course has embedded support. Formerly: Math 219S - Statistics and Probability with Support.
              This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. Formerly: Math 219H - Honors Statistics and Probability.
              Introduces psychology and behavioral science majors to descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Knowledge of these methods is essential to the understanding, interpretation, and performance of scientific research. Topics covered include probability theory, hypothesis testing, correlation, analysis of variance, the graphical representation of data, basic research design, and the use of computer software to perform statistical analyses.
              CHOICE: Elective

              Third Semester

              14 units
              PSYC 160
              Introduction to Lifespan Psychology
              Introduction to human development from a psychological perspective. Explores human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined from classical and contemporary perspectives. Attention will also be given to both normative and non-normative development.
                Plan 1: 7A. Lifelong Understanding
                Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
                ENGL C1001
                Critical Thinking and Writing
                In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 College Reading and Writing (C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course. Formerly: ENGL 103 - Critical Thinking and Writing.
                • Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ENGL C1000H/ENGLC1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
                Plan 1: 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
                Plan 2: 1B. Critical Thinking and Composition
                ERTH 115
                Earth Science for Educators
                The study of the dynamic forces shaping the earth, including its oceans and atmosphere. This class is open to all majors but is oriented towards enhancing the earth science knowledge of future teachers. Also includes an introduction to the solar system. Half-day field trip required. Not open to students who are enrolled or have credit in Earth Science 110, Geology 101, or Geography 101.
                  Plan 1: 5. Natural Sciences
                  Plan 2: 5A. Physical Science
                  Plan 2: 5C. Laboratory
                  CHOICE: Elective

                  Fourth Semester

                  15 units
                  ENGL 270
                  Children's Literature
                  A study of literature for children emphasizing the history, trends, issues, and evaluation of all major genres: picture books, poetry, drama, traditional literature, non-fiction, and fiction, including full-length works.
                  • Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
                  • Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
                  Plan 1: 3B. Humanities
                  Plan 2: 3B. Humanities
                  ANTH 101
                  Introduction to Biological Anthropology
                  An introduction to humankind's place in nature including evolutionary theory, principles of genetics, primate evolution and behavior, fossil evidence for human evolution, human biology and variation, growth and adaptability, and biomedical anthropology. Includes practical application of biological anthropology to human problems.
                    Plan 1: 5. Natural Sciences
                    Plan 2: 5B. Biological Science
                    ETHN 150
                    Introduction to Ethnic Studies
                    This course serves to broaden the ethnic and racial perspectives of students interested in American culture and society. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of four ethnic groups -- Native/First People Americans, African/Black Americans, Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx/Latin/Latina /Latino/Latine/Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans. Emphasis is placed on these groups' historical and contemporary relationships with each other and the rest of American society—Duplicate credit not granted for ETHN 150H.
                      Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
                      Plan 1: 6. Ethnic Studies
                      Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
                      Plan 2: 6. Ethnic Studies
                      CHOICE: Elective
                      CHOICE: Elective