AS in Child Development and Family Studies

This degree prepares you for a variety of careers including early childhood education, family support, recreation, after-school and school-based professions and after additional study, and builds to a variety of careers including credentialed TK-12 classroom teaching, school administration and community advocacy.

The Child Development Program is designed so that you may satisfy the requirements for graduation from CCSF with a major in Child Development and Family Studies. The program is aligned with other ECE/CDEV majors through California's Curriculum Alignment Project to allow for statewide uniformity in the major and portability of coursework to and from other California Community Colleges.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Child Development and Family Studies can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Infant-Toddler Teacher
  • Preschool Administrator
  • Early Childhood Advocate
  • Violence Intervention Community-Based Work
  • Early Interventionist in Special Education
  • TK-3 Teacher (after a BA/Credential)
  • K-5 Elementary School (after a BA/Credential)
  • Special Ed Teacher (after a BA/Credential)

Program Options 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize your EdPlan to you and your academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
CDEV 65Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice3 

CDEV 67 

(CCSF Area 4)

Child, Family, and Community3 

ENGL C1000 + 1AS

(CCSF Area 1)

University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support4-6 
CCSF Area 6Ethnic Studies3 
Major Requirement ElectiveSee Counselor3 

Total Units: 16-18  

Semester 2

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
CDEV 53Child Growth and Development3 
CDEV 66Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum3 
Major Requirement ElectiveSee Counselor3 
CCSF Area 1Oral Communications and Critical Thinking Course3 
CCSF US History RequirementSee Counselor3 

Total Units: 15 

Semester 3

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
CDEV 72Supervised Field Experience in Early Childhood Education3 
CDEV 73Observing and Assessing Young Children3 
CCSF Area 5Science3-4 

Math or Stats

(CCSF Area 2)

See Counselor5-7 
    
    

Total Units: 14-17 

Semester 4

Course NumberCourse TitleUnitsNotes
CDEV 92Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Programs3 
CDEV 93Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education3 
CCSF Area 3Arts or Humanitites3 
CCSF Wellness RequirementSee counselor3 
Additional ElectivesSee counselor  

Total Units: 15+

Transfer Options

The Certificates in our Pathway 1 in Early Childhood Education lead up to the AS Degree and the AS-T Degree. The best place to start is with the Associate Teacher Certificate (12 Units), then follow the map to the degree!

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.