COURSE CURRICULUM

The Child and Adolescent Development (ChAD) BA Preparation for Teaching, Multiple Subjects pathway is designed for students who want to become elementary or middle school teachers and provides a structured curriculum aligned with California teacher certification requirements. This program integrates foundational coursework in child and adolescent development with a broad Multiple Subjects Preparation Core that covers language and literacy, mathematics, science, visual and performing arts, health, and history to ensure well-rounded subject matter competence for K–8 education. Students complete lower-division and upper-division core courses such as child development, psychology, research methods, cognitive and social-emotional development, and practicum experiences in K–8 educational settings, along with specialized coursework like literacy development, children’s literature, and classroom-based learning strategies. The program also includes extensive subject preparation in English composition and linguistics, mathematics concepts including statistics and geometry, and science topics ranging from biology and chemistry to earth systems and physics. In addition, students study arts education, physical health, California and world history, and interdisciplinary teaching methods to develop skills needed for diverse classroom environments. A key component of this pathway is its alignment with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards, allowing students to complete subject matter preparation that supports eligibility for the Multiple Subjects teaching credential route. While completion of the program strengthens readiness for teaching careers, students must still meet GPA requirements, complete required field experiences such as CHAD 159 practicum, and successfully apply to credential programs. The degree requires 120 total units, including major requirements, preparation coursework, and university electives, ensuring graduates are academically prepared for advanced teacher training and future roles in elementary education.