Are you planning a career in education, nursing, public health or another human services profession? Complement your major with a minor in child and adolescent development.
Why Minor in Child and Adolescent Development?
The minor gives you an introductory academic foundation in the study of child and adolescent development. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the field, the minor complements a variety of majors.
Some students choose the minor simply to be more informed and knowledgeable as current or future parents, aunts or uncles.
Why Study Child and Adolescent Development at CSUN?
Connections
You'll benefit from the department’s many connections to leaders in the field. These partnerships, some going back decades, put you in close contact with potential mentors and future employers.
Social Justice
The department actively promotes racial and social justice and avoids “colorblind” approaches within its teaching, mentoring and programming. The department recognizes that curricular design and instructional practices have “whitewashed” disciplines, reinforced racist ideals, and impeded the learning and engagement of students who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), or first generation college students.
What You'll Learn
Our program emphasizes the use of research- and evidence-based knowledge to empower you to become a critical consumer of theoretical perspectives and information relating to the physical, social and cognitive development of children and adolescents. This foundation will allow you to develop the knowledge and skills you need to participate in informed public dialogue, social policy and interventions.
You'll take core courses such as:
- Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development
- Professional Pathways and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development
- Applied Cognitive Development
- Applied Social Development
You'll choose from such electives as:
- Developmental Impacts of Abuse and Neglect
- Emerging Adulthood
- Enhancing Childhood Creativity
- Helping Children Cope with Medical Environments
- Alternative Approaches to Discipline
- Child Advocacy