Associate of Arts - Child and Adolescent Development

Social and Behavioral Sciences heighten students’ awareness of social, political, and economic institutions and human behaviors in contemporary, historical, and geographical contexts. The AA-T Degree in Child and Adolescent Development is designed to allow students to transfer seamlessly as a junior to a CSU campus offering a similar major. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.

College of the Desert offers a Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer degree, also called Child and Adolescent Development AA-T. Students completing this interdisciplinary degree are prepared to understand the processes of change and growth that characterize human development from conception to age 18. Course offerings are drawn from psychology, sociology, human development, anthropology, and biology, with electives from other departments. Students completing an associate’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development are qualified to work in school districts as classroom paraprofessionals and for social services programs as entry-level social workers. Students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in this major typically choose careers in education, social services, counseling, and guidance, or in the field of health. 

The Child and Adolescent Development AA-T is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. This degree requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of CSU GE or IGETC and 21-23 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. There are no additional graduation requirements. Student should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.