CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Arts

Jessup’s School of Education develops educational leaders who reach with compassion, teach with excellence, and learn for lifelong impact. In partnership with, and by the grace of Christ, the school develops educators for leadership and scholarship regionally, nationally, and internationally in order to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Please Note: This program is not yet approved for veteran educational benefits. Please contact our Veterans Services Specialist at veterans@jessup.edu for more information.

56 UNITS (includes 12 units of Student Teaching)

15 WEEK SEMESTERS

ROCKLIN CAMPUS

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development (BACD) program is designed to prepare students for a career in early childhood education including teaching at the Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten or 1st-3rd grades, leading church education programs, serving and leading on a mission field, or coaching. Students will focus their learning on early literacy skills for children ages 4-8 years old, exploring the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts through the lens of education and teaching. This degree also has the option to earn Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, where one can work as a preschool assistant teacher, preschool teacher, or preschool program director or work toward a Preschool to 3rd Grade Teaching Credential for the State of California (*Pending CCTC approval).

Engage and support all young children in learning.
Create and maintain an effective environment for young children’s development and learning.
Understand and organize core curriculum for young children’s learning.
Plan instruction and design developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all young children.
Assess and document young children’s development and learning.
Develop as a professional early childhood educator.
Demonstrate effective literacy and mathematics instruction for young children.
Develop dispositions that exhibit the character of Christ.

Program Specializations
Infant/Toddler
Preschool Director Leadership
Special Education

Core Courses (29 units):

Introduction to Child Development
Principles and Practices In Early Childhood Education
Introduction to Curriculum
The Child, Family and Community
Nutrition, Health and Safety in Children’s Programs
The Child in a Diverse Society
Early Childhood Education Literacy
Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior
Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts and Social Sciences (Fall only)
Early Childhood Experiences in Math and Science (Fall only)
Exploring Creative VAPA Expression by Children (Spring only)
Early Childhood Education Practicum (Spring only)

Child Development Optional Specializations: Students can choose a specialization listed below.

Infant/Toddler Specialization
- Infant and Toddler Development
- Infant and Toddler Programs
Special Education Specialization
- Survey of Special Education
- Special Education Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs

For the Child Development/Preschool Director Certificate of Achievement, add the following:

Admin I: Programs in Early Childhood
Admin II: Personnel and Leadership
Adult Supervision and Mentoring

Wendy Westsmith, Ed.D.

Lead Faculty

Nurturing the love of learning through goodness, truth, and beauty.

FACULTY

Jessup's dedicated community of faculty, both full-time and adjunct, are here to walk alongside you, equipping you with the knowledge and values you'll need to establish a meaningful career, grow spiritually, and succeed in all areas of your life. Learn more about our full-time faculty.

Wendy Westsmith, Ed.D.

Lead Faculty - Child Development; Assistant Professor - School of Education

Nathan Herzog, Ph.D.

Dean - School of Education

Hervey Taylor, Ed.D.

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Professor - School of Education

David Bills, M.A.Ed.

Director of Teacher Credentialing; Field Experience Coordinator - School of Education

Patrick McDougall, M.A.Ed.

Assistant Professor - School of Education

Daniel Nordaas, M.A.Ed.

Lead Faculty - Liberal Studies; Assistant Professor, School of Education

Find Your Major

Complete the following free assessment to match your academic goals, interests, and personality with Jessup majors.

Start the Assessment

JESSUP NEWS & STORIES

An Inside Peek into Jessup’s New MAEd Administrative Credential

Jessup is equipping graduates to become administrators in schools and districts and to work in public and private educational organizations through their new administrative credential…