COURSE CURRICULUM

The Child and Adolescent Development (ChAD) BA with Preparation for Teaching (Multiple Subjects pathway) is a 120-unit program designed for students who want to become elementary or middle school teachers, combining foundational child development coursework with extensive subject-matter preparation aligned with California teaching standards. Students complete lower-division core courses in child development, psychology, and quantitative analysis along with upper-division courses in research methods, cognitive and social-emotional development, classroom motivation strategies, and practicum experience in K–8 settings. The program also includes a Multiple Subjects Preparation Core covering language and literacy (including children’s literature, English composition, and linguistics), mathematics (number systems, probability, statistics, and geometry), science (environmental education), visual and performing arts, and physical education and health to ensure broad subject competence for teaching across elementary grade levels. In addition to major coursework, students complete general education requirements, electives or a minor, and writing-in-the-discipline courses, with some flexibility depending on course selection. While the program is structured to meet requirements set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and supports preparation for teacher credential programs, completion of the degree does not guarantee admission into a credential program, as students must still meet GPA requirements, complete all prerequisites, and pass a formal screening process.