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Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development have many diverse career options working with children, parents, or families, such as:

  • parent/family educators (professionals who conduct parenting workshops)听
  • child/youth counselors
  • social worker
  • occupational therapist
  • child-life specialist
  • court-appointed advocates for children听
  • planners and coordinators of youth recreation programs听
  • PK-12 teachers
  • special education teachers
  • researchers/ Professors
  • business owner (e.g., daycare center, toy store, book writer)
  • consultant

Child Development majors work in all kinds of settings, such as schools, non-profit organizations, government agencies, mental health clinics, companies, hospitals, and more.

Some of the positions listed above may require additional training after completing the baccalaureate program in Child Development.

Careers Related To Serving Family and Children

Social Work

Students interested in a career in social work should apply for a Master's Degree in Social Work after earning a Bachelor's Degree. Please see the CSUDH Master's in Social Work program.听

Marriage and Family Therapy

Students interested in a career in marriage and family therapy should apply for a Master's Degree in Marital and Family Therapy after earning a Bachelor's Degree. Please see the CSUDH Master's in Marital and Family Therapy program.听

Child Life Specialist

Students interested in a career in child life should consider the following courses. For more information on curriculum recommendations and careers as a child life specialist, please visit the听website.

Recommended Courses

  • CDV 363 - Development in Diverse Contexts (3)
  • CDV 442 - Marriage, Family, and Community (3)
  • PSY 353 鈥� The Experience of Death and Dying: Psychological Perspectives (3)
  • KIN 290 or 291 - Human Anatomy & Physiology听
Occupational Therapy

Students interested in a career in Occupational Therapy should apply for a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy after earning a Bachelor's Degree. Students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) should consider taking some of the common prerequisite requirements for the Occupational Therapy master鈥檚 program. While the suggested courses are common prerequisite requirements for Occupational Therapy programs, students should check the current admission requirements for the specific universities they plan to apply to, as admission requirements vary by university and are subject to change.

See the Admission Requirements of CSUDH Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or CSUDH Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) for a sample.听

Recommended Courses

  • Human Anatomy w/lab
  • Human Physiology w/lab
  • PSY 363 鈥� Abnormal Psychology (3)
  • PSY 352听听Psychology of Adult Development and Aging (3)
  • Medical Terminology

Careers Related To Educating Children (Early Development and Learning Concentration)

Preschool Teacher / Site Supervisor / Program Director

Students interested in being a preschool teacher, site supervisor, or program director should apply for an appropriate Child Development Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Please visit the听听to learn more.

Watch these videos by Dr. Nara Yun to learn more about the Child Development Permit.

Part 1 covers what a Child Development Permit is, the levels of Child Development permit, and how to read the Matrix.听

Part 2 covers how to apply for a Child Development Permit.听

If you need any support applying for a Child Development Permit, please attend Zoom Office Hours with Dr. Yun.

Fall 2026 (August 24 - December 23, 2026) Zoom Office Hours - Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

If you need support renewing a Child Development Permit, please contact the because the renewal process can vary based on the individual circumstances.听

PK-3 Elementary School Teacher

Students interested in teaching Transitional Kindergarten to 3rd-grade classes in elementary schools should apply to a program after earning a Bachelor's degree. Please visit the听CSUDH PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program听to learn more.听A Bachelor's degree in Child Development or 24 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development will meet the subject matter competency for this credential.听

Elementary School Teacher

Students interested in teaching Kindergarten to 5th-grade classes in elementary schools should apply to a program after earning a Bachelor's degree. Please visit the听CSUDH Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program听to learn more.听

Recommended Courses

  • BIO 102 (Meet General Education: Biological Science)
  • BIO 103 (Meet General Education: Science Laboratory)
  • PHI 120 (Meet General Education: Critical Thinking)
  • ART 100, DAN 130, MUS 101, or THE 100 (Meet General Education: Arts)
  • HIS 120 (Meet General Education: 4B Social Behavioral Sciences)
  • ENG 308 (Meet General Education: Upper Division Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities)
  • EAR 416 (Meet General Education: Upper Division Integrative Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences)
  • CDV 444 (Child Development Specialized Electives course)
  • LBS 375
  • LBS 410 (Early Development and Learning Concentration course)
  • MAT 107
  • MAT 207
  • KIN 425
Special Education Teacher

Students interested in teaching the disability areas of specialization should apply to a program after earning a Bachelor's degree. Please visit the听CSUDH Special Education program听to learn more.听

Bilingual Authorization

can be added to any teaching credential above.听

Recommended Courses for Spanish Language Authorization during Undergraduate

  • SPA 280
  • SPA 341听

For Asian Language, please contact听Dr. Minghye Son听at CSUDH College of Education.