Our Programs
Preparing Future Child Development Leaders
The Department of Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) offers various bachelor’s degrees, a minor, and blended bachelor’s + master’s + credential programs.
The department supports and engages students as they gain knowledge about children, youth, and their families from a developmental, interdisciplinary, and applied perspective, and prepares them to serve in school and community settings. All of our degrees prepare students for advanced study in various disciplines.
Undergraduate Programs
Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Community, Health, and Social Services
The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Community, Health, & Social Services focuses on supporting children and families from birth through emerging adulthood. You will explore child development and learning while gaining skills in advocacy, communication, and research. This program prepares you for careers in community programs, and health and social services with children, youth and families. Graduates learn to apply inclusive and culturally responsive strategies to support children, youth, and families thrive in diverse settings.
Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential
The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development: Concentration in Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential provides a strong foundation in child development, learning theories, and culturally responsive teaching. The program meets California's Subject Matter Requirement required for applications to multiple-subject and special education teacher credential programs.
Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Care and Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Care and Education prepares you to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in childcare and preschool settings. You will learn about child development, learning theories, and culturally responsive teaching. This concentration is aligned with multiple levels of the California Child Development Permit (the teaching and supervision credential for preschool and younger) and the Early Childhood Special Education graduate program at SF State.
Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Pre-K to 3rd Grade
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Pre-K to 3rd Grade provides you with the theoretical and applied knowledge necessary to understand children’s development and learning.
Minor in Early Childhood Development
The Minor in Early Childhood Development will give you a deeper understanding of how young children grow and learn. The program covers key concepts in child development and explores ways to support children in homes, schools, and communities.
SFSU Integrated Teacher Education Programs (ITEPs) Bachelor’s + Credentials
Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in PK-3 ITEP
By completing the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in PK-3 ITEP, you will graduate with both a BA and a preliminary PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential. The program is designed to support you as you develop knowledge and understanding of child development and learning in children from preschool through third grade.
Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Special Education ITEP
By completing the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies: Concentration in Special Education ITEP, you will graduate with both a BA and a preliminary Education Specialist in Early Childhood Special Education Credential. The program is designed to prepare professional educators to provide quality early intervention and early childhood special education to young children birth through kindergarten.
SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's + Credentials
BA in Early Childhood Studies (Care and Education) + MA in Special Education + Early Childhood Special Education Credential
The SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's + Credential program provides undergraduate students with an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree and credential. Graduates of this integrated program will be able will be able to complete their BA in Early Childhood Studies (Care and Education), MA in Special Education, and preliminary credential in Early Childhood Special Education in 5 years (including summer).
BA in Child & Adolescent Development (Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential) + MA in Special Education + Credential
The SFSU Accelerated Bachelor's + Master's + Credential program provides undergraduate students with an accelerated pathway to a graduate degree and credential. Graduates of this integrated program will be able to complete their BA in Child and Adolescent Development (Elementary Education Teaching Pre-Credential), MA in Special Education, and one of the following preliminary credentials in 6 years: