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Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Master employable skills in working with infants, children, adolescents, and families in a meaningful career in early care centers, after school programs, or administration of those programs serving children.
What you will learn: Effective ways to work with children from birth to adolescence, as well as leadership and parent education skills.
Why study it: Today’s families are bombarded with massive amounts of complex and sometimes contradicting information. Expertise in human development will make you an effective support to families with children as well as to others who seek to understand them.
What opportunities it may bring: Those who study Human Development have career opportunities in privately and publicly funded programs serving children and families. Roles include: Infant caregiver, preschool teacher, school-age facilitator, site supervisor, program director, mentor teacher, parent educator, and public policy advocate.
Program Length
- Child Development, AS 2-years
- Infant/Toddler, AS 2-years
- School-Age Child, AS 2-years
- Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer, AA-T 2-years
- Early Childhood Education for Transfer, AS-T 2-years
- Child Development, COA 1- year
- Infant/Toddler, COA 1- year
- School-Age Child, COA 1- year
- Early Childhood Assistant Teacher, COP 1-semester
- Early Childhood Associate Teacher, COP 1-year (6-12 units per semester) –classes are not offered all in one semester
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 5, 10 or 20 | Various Math GE Courses | 1C | 3 |
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 & Major | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2-3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication/Thinking | Various Communication/Critical Thinking GE Courses | 1B | 3-4 |
| HD 110 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | Major | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| HD 130 | Teaching in a Diverse Society (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | Major | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 115 | Introduction to Curriculum | Major | 3 |
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | Major | 3 |
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | Major | 3 |
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations (Fall Only) | Major | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 2 | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 101 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (Summer + Spring only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 160 | Advanced Curriculum Planning (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development | Major | 1 |
| HD 181 | Practicum: Early Childhood Programs (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2 |
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | 3 |
| HD 110 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 101 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (Spring and Summer) | 3 |
| HD 130 | Teaching in a Diverse Society (Spring Only) | 3 |
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | 3 |
| HD 115 | Introduction to Curriculum Fall | 3 |
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 160 | Advanced Curriculum Planning (Spring Only) | 3 |
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development (Spring Only) | 1 |
| HD 181 | Practicum: Early Childhood Programs (Spring Only) | 3 |
Note: This sample academic plan shows additional units for this certificate as compared to the IVC catalog due to prerequisite requirements.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | E & Major | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | D & Major | 3 |
| HD 115 | Introduction to Curriculum | Major | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
| MATH 10 or MATH 20* | Introduction to Statistics or Math for Elementary Teachers | B4 | 3 |
| HD 110 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | Major | 3 |
| HD 101 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (Summer + Spring only) | Major | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | Major | 3 |
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | Major | 3 |
| ARTS | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | C2 | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
| Science Lab | Physical Science GE Lab | B3 | 1 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 130 | Teaching in a Diverse Society (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 181 | Practicum: Early Childhood Programs (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development (Spring Only) | Major | 1 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | C1 or C2 | 3 |
| Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
- Students can take Math 10 or Math 20 or any other math course that meets the CSU transfer math requirement in CSU GE Area B4.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| HD 110 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| HD - TBD | HD Major Course from List A | 1 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 115 | Introduction to Curriculum | 3 |
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | 3 |
| HD - TBD | HD Major Course from List A | 1 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | 3 |
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD - TBD | HD Major Course from List A | 3 |
| HD - TBD | HD Major Course from List A | 3 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 & Major | 4 |
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | E & Major | 3 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 & Major | 3 |
| ERTH 20 | Introduction to Earth Science | B1/B3 & Major | 4 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing 2: Critical Thinking, Writing | A3 & Major | 4 |
| MATH 20 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers | B4 & Major | 3 |
| HIST 1 | History of World Civilizations to 1500 | C2 & Major | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D & Major | 3 |
| GEOG 3 | World Regional Geography | D & Major | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 20 | Ideas and Events of Physics | Major | 4 |
| LIT 1 | Introduction to Literature | C2 & Major | 3 |
| HD 10 | Introduction to Elementary Teaching | Major | 3 |
| LIT 7 | Survey of Children's Literature | Major | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 1 | Life Sciences | B2 & Major | 3 |
| BIO 1L | Life Sciences Laboratory | Major | 1 |
| HIST 20 | American History through the Civil War | D & Major | 3 |
| Major | Elementary Ed Teacher AA-T Course from List B | C1 & Major | 3 |
| Major | Elementary Ed Teacher AA-T Course from List C | Major | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 2-3 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 5, 10 or 20 | Various Math GE Courses | 1C | 3 |
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 & Major | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2-3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication/Thinking | Various Communication/Critical Thinking GE Courses | 1B | 3-4 |
| HD 4 | Infant and Toddler Development (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | Major | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | Major | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 105 | Infant-Toddler Programs | Major | 3 |
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | Major | 3 |
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development | Major | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 2 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | 3 |
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 105 | Infant-Toddler Programs | 3 |
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 4 | Infant and Toddler Development (Spring Only) | 3 |
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development | 3 |
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Math 5, 10, or 20 | Various Math GE Courses | 3 | 3 |
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 & Major | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | Major | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication/Thinking | Various Communication/Critical Thinking GE Courses | 1B | 3-4 |
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | Major | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2-3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | Major | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations (Fall only) | Major | 3 |
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | Major | 3 |
| HD 266 | Program Planning for School-Age Children | Major | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 2 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development | Major | 3 |
| HD 270 | Curriculum Planning for School-Age Children | Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 | |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 1
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 7 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| HD 15 | Socialization of the Child - Child, Family, Community | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 120 | Child Guidance and Discipline | 3 |
| HD 150 | Health, Safety and Nutrition of Children | 3 |
Summer
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 131 | Creative Development in Young Children (Summer Only) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 145 | Language and Literacy Foundations (Fall Only ) | 3 |
| HD 266 | Program Planning for School-Age Children | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| HD 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Human Development | 3 |
| HD 270 | Curriculum Planning for School-Age Children | 3 |
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Not sure if Human Development is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Human Development while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
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