BA in Child and Adolescent Development in San Marcos United States | California State University San Marcos

The Child and Adolescent Development (CHAD) program examines growth processes from prenatal stages through teenage years. Learners obtain a thorough understanding of both normal and exceptional development by studying evidence-based milestones across physical, mental, and social-emotional growth areas. The curriculum covers developmental pathways, theoretical frameworks, research approaches, ethical considerations, and environmental influences on development. A key program focus involves examining how individuals and their surroundings interact throughout developmental progression. Students build expertise through engagement with academic research, hands-on investigations, observational studies, and practical experiences. The program equips learners with diverse skills for gathering, sharing, and applying knowledge to foster ongoing developmental study. This major prepares graduates for professional paths involving youth in research, teaching, medical fields, policy work, legal systems, and therapeutic services. The Psychology Department administers the Child and Adolescent Development degree program.