Early Childhood Development/Education (CHAE or CHAC)
The Early Childhood Development/Education concentration is for students pursuing careers in early childhood education and family care settings, from infancy/toddler programs through the primary grades. It also prepares students for early childhood special education or PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist credential programs. Courses emphasize children’s early development and learning, strategies to engage in developmentally appropriate practices, creation of early childhood environments rich in language, literacy and other foundational skills, observation and assessment, family engagement, and culturally competent work with young children and their families.
The coursework aligns the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s professional standards for bachelor’s programs and the education requirements of the California Child Development Permit Matrix.
Elementary School Settings/Education (CHAS or CHAP)
The Elementary School Settings/Education concentration is for students interested in teaching at the elementary school level and prepares them for multiple subject or special education credential programs. This concentration includes the coursework needed to show multiple subject subject matter proficiency for California teaching credentials. Courses emphasize an understanding of cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional development, subject-matter knowledge, cultural competence in engaging students and their families, and consideration of pedagogical strategies and programs that promote academic achievement as well as other positive developmental outcomes for elementary school children.
Adolescent/Youth Development (CHAY) (Concentration Not Accepting New Students)
The Adolescent/Youth Development concentration provides an in-depth study of concepts and strategies central to understanding and supporting healthy adolescent development and the transition to adulthood. It is designed to provide foundational knowledge for students intending to work with youth in diverse contexts, including:
- non-profit, youth development, and community-based organizations
- social service, social work, and juvenile justice programs
- school and special education settings, from middle school to the transition to college
Family and Community Contexts (CHAF)
The Family and Community Contexts (FCC) concentration is for students planning to work with children, adolescents, and their families in community-based settings and/or preparing for graduate studies in human/child development, counseling, social work, or related fields.
Development in Diverse Contexts (New Concentration for Majors in Fall 2026 or Later Catalog Year
The Development in Diverse Contexts concentration is for students who want to support children, adolescents, and their families in settings outside of early childhood education and elementary education. It prepares students to pursue careers or graduate studies in counseling, social work, healthcare, behavioral intervention, speech pathology, middle school, high school, or higher education, social service agencies, community/non-profit organizations, and research.
Courses emphasize a culturally competent approach to working with children, adolescents, and their families across diverse settings. The concentration has the most flexibility in requirements, and students can reference career-specific advisement guides to help them select courses that best prepare them for their future professions.
