Located in Oakland, Mills College offers a 4+1 bachelor's and master's degree program in child development through its School of Education. Students have the option of specializing in early childhood or in special needs education. The special needs concentration prepares students to work with 'at risk' and chronically ill children. Courses in the early childhood education program include social foundations of education and special topics in education. Students are also required to participate in a supervised work experience in a classroom.
The University of La Verne is located in southern California and is a four-year, private not-for-profit university. Students at the school have an opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Development that prepares them to work in public and private educational settings. The program focuses on the development of children in relation to family, school and community. Courses in the program include writing for child development, early childhood literacy, parenting for early childhood educators, and child psychology and development.
Whittier College is located just outside of Los Angeles and offers a childhood development major through its Department of Education and Child Development. Students in the program are required to complete courses in infancy through early childhood, middle childhood, cultural contexts of childhood, biological basis of behavior and experimental psychology. In addition to coursework, students are also required to participate in a senior seminar, practicum and field research experience.
California State University, Chico offers a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development. The program focuses on areas involving foundations of child development, child assessment and study, programs for children and families, professional qualities, critical thinking skills and developmental context. Students are required to take courses in child health, biology of childhood, adolescent development, child psychology and learning in the young child. Additional requirements include a practicum and professional seminar in the field.