Human Development and Family
Human Development and Family
Start a career path where you can make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Understand how people grow and change throughout their lives by studying the biological, cognitive, socio-emotional and cultural development of children and adolescents. Learn about laws and regulations that help keep children safe and healthy.
Careers Working with Children and Families
From early childhood education to child advocacy, find a career where compassion counts.
- Work as a teacher with different age groups: infant/toddler, preschool, kindergarten, elementary school and before and after school programs.
- Open your own in-home child care business.
- Pursue a career as a social worker, marriage and family therapist or school psychologist.
- Be a child care advocate for social service programs.
- Become an administrator of early childhood education program.
- Work in research, public health or public policy.
Academic Plans for Human Development and Family
Each plan shows all the courses you need to take to complete your goal from start to finish. Map your education by clicking on the Academic Plan for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below.
Note: The academic plans will give you an idea of the classes you need to take. However, please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan.
Child Development Pre-Service Elementary Teacher—AA Degree
Please meet with your counselor to create a personalized academic plan for this degree.
Early Childhood Education for Transfer—AS-T Degree
Term 1
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| HDEV 0002 | 3 |
| HDEV 0009 | 3 |
| ENGL 0001A | 4 |
| MATH 0017 | 3 |
| PHOT 0060A or MUS 0010 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Term 2
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| HDEV 0003 | 3 |
| HDEV 0004 | 3 |
| HDEV 0005 | 3 |
| ENGL 0001B or ENGL 0001C | 3 |
| COMM 0005 or COMM 0001 or COMM 0003 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Term 3
| Course | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HDEV 0025 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0021 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0044 | 3 | |
| HIST 0017A | 3 | |
| BIOL 011 or ANTH 0001 or BIOL 0056 | 3 | Two sciences required for degree and one must include a lab. |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Term 4
| Course | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HDEV 0007 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0010 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0010L | 1.5 | |
| HED 0001 or any Elective | 3 | |
| POLS 0001 | 3 | |
| (ESCI 0010 and ESCI 0010L) or ASTR 0005 or GEOG 0001 or ESS 0007 | 4 | Two sciences required for degree and one must include a lab. |
| TOTAL | 17.5 |
Early Childhood Education—AA/AS Degree
Term 1
| Course | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HDEV 0004 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0002 | 3 | |
| HDEV 0009 | 3 | |
| ENGL 0001A | 4 | |
| MATH 0017 | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Term 2
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| HDEV 0003 | 3 |
| HDEV 0005 | 3 |
| HDEV 0025 | 3 |
| COMM 0005 or COMM 0001 or COMM 0003 | 3 |
| PHOT 0060A or MUS 0010 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Term 3
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| HDEV 0038 | 2 |
| HDEV 0011 | 3 |
| HDEV 0040 | 3 |
| HDEV 0095 | 2 |
| ASTR 0005 or GEOG 0001 or ESS 0007 or (ESCI 0010 and ESCI 0010L) | 3-4 |
| TOTAL | 13-14 |
Term 4
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| HDEV 0012 | 3 |
| HDEV 0041 | 3 |
| HDEV 0010 | 3 |
| HDEV 0010L | 1.5 |
| HDEV 0007 | 3 |
| HED 0001 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16.5 |
Associate Teacher—Skills Certificate
Please meet with your counselor to create a personalized academic plan for this certificate.
Infant Toddler—Skills Certificate
Please meet with your counselor to create a personalized academic plan for this certificate.
Site Supervisor—Skills Certificate
Please meet with your counselor to create a personalized academic plan for this certificate.
Additional Program Information
Permits
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing grants Child Development permits to those preparing to teach children in early childhood education programs and in after-school child care programs. The course work provided by the Sierra College Human Development and Family Department is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as meeting the requirements for the California Child Development Permits.
Students may contact a full-time Human Development & Family faculty member to discuss how to obtain a Permit.
Child Development Training Consortium Grant Money
Are you currently employed in a licensed Early Childhood Education, Transitional Kindergarten, Before and After School, or Licensed Family Child Care Home program and taking a class at Sierra College?
This is a semester-to-semester grant, so you must apply each semester you are eligible. The grant pays $25 per unit and will reimburse the cost of a Child Development permit (typically $125) and fingerprinting fees.
Contact Lori Kearney-Capaul, Faculty Coordinator for the Child Development Training Consortium Grant, at lcapaul@sierracollege.edu or (916) 660-7872 or at Rocklin campus office, F-13.
Mentor Program
Would you like to gain real-world experience through student teaching with a Certified Mentor Teacher? Contact Human Development and Family faculty members, Debbie Eastman at deastman@sierracollege.edu or Michelle Boucher at mboucher@sierracollege.edu.