Program Description

Programs in Human Development, Early Childhood Development, and Women's Studies

The Department of Human Development and Women's Studies is deeply committed to educational access and offers a broad range of educational formats, including fully online classes, hybrid classes which combine an online component with face-to-face interaction, and face-to-face lecture/discussion and seminar classes. Classes are offered at both the Hayward and online campuses.

The Department of Human Development and Women's Studies offers the following BA degrees:

Bachelor of Arts

Online Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs

A BA/BS Degree Completion Program is for anyone who has already completed their lower-division general education breadth requirements. Only upper-division, major requirements will be taken completely online.

We also offer three minors and a certificate for students in other majors:

Human Development 

Human Development is an interdisciplinary program that integrates theory and methodology from disciplines such as anthropology, biology, linguistics, psychology, and sociology. Students majoring in Human Development explore the processes and mechanisms underlying developmental change and stability across the lifespan, and the sociocultural and historical contexts in which development takes place. The program's curriculum equips students with basic understanding of major research findings and core concepts in human development, the ability to critically analyze and evaluate theoretical and practical issues in the field, and the skills to apply their learning to diverse communities outside the university. The program strives to create an optimal learning community which values and fosters mutual learning and dialogue between and among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.

During the senior year, Human Development majors focus their studies in a specific area. Students may choose one of the Department's five concentrations: Early Childhood Development, Childhood Development, Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Gerontology, or Women's Development. In addition to taking 10-12 units related to their chosen concentration, all seniors complete the Department's the capstone course: Senior Research Seminar (HDEV 499). In HDEV 499 students propose a research project based on a literature review, and then carry out their independent research project. This advanced course enables students to pursue a specialized research topic in depth.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Human Development from California State University, East Bay will be able to:

1. Demonstrate core knowledge in diverse* biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of human development across the lifespan. (ILO6)
2. Model critical thinking by summarizing, comparing, synthesizing, and evaluating human development perspectives using an interdisciplinary approach. (ILO1)
3. Assess information and ethical implications; responsibly design and conduct individual and/or group research projects, and present them clearly, logically, and persuasively. (ILO2)
4. Identify and evaluate individual/population needs, and promote social justice, by applying human development knowledge in community contexts. (ILO3)
5. Critically evaluate one’s own lifespan development and biases as a means to understand people empathetically, including historically marginalized people. (ILO3)

*HDEV/WOST defines diversity in terms of intersecting identities including: race/ethnicity/culture, class, caste, gender, sexuality, age, religion/spirituality, immigration status, disability status, and neuro-diversity, with attention paid to local/national/international contexts, access to institutional resources, distribution (contexts) of power, historical implications, and other forms of diversity and/or social injustice.


Requirements for Human Development BA Degree

Requirements for the Human Development BA Degree include (I) Lower Division Core, (II) Upper Division Core, (III) Concentration Requirements, and (IV) the Senior Capstone Requirement.You can also find this information on the Degree Roadmap. Go to Catalog for this department.

I. Lower Division Core

Select three (3) courses for 9 units from the following categories, with no more than one course from each category (each course must be a minimum of 3-units each):

  • Select three (3) courses for 9 units from the following categories, with no more than one course from each category (each course must be a minimum of 3-units each)
    • Anthropology (cultural or social)
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Human or child development
    • Ethnic or area studies
    • Human biology or physical anthropology
    • Additional categories (e.g., statistics, gerontology, developmental disabilities) may be approved by the department

II. Upper Division Core

The following 30 units of coursework are required:

  • HDEV 300 - Introduction to Human Development for Human Development Majors Units: 1
  • HDEV 301 - Theories of Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice Overlay
  • HDEV 302 - Research Methods in Human Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 312 - Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Units: 4
  • HDEV 321 - Gender, Race & Class in Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity Overlay
  • HDEV 322 - Adult Development and Aging Units: 4
  • HDEV 400 - Futures and Careers for Human Development Majors Units: 1
  • HDEV 401 - Applying Theories and Methods in Human Development Units: 4

III. Concentration Requirement

Students must select one (1) of the following concentrations listed below to complete the major. Students take three courses (10-12 units) within their chosen concentration. You can choose from the following five concentrations:

IV. Senior Capstone Requirement

The following 4-unit course is required as the senior capstone:

  • HDEV 499 - Senior Research Seminar Units: 4

Requirements for Human Development Minor

Students must complete 15-16 units of upper division HDEV coursework from HDEV 301 to 459, except HDEV 398 and HDEV 400. 

 

Women's Studies

Women’s Studies explores theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of gender across a range of contexts. Courses connect academic work with the social and political world outside the university, educate our students about a range of social issues and problems that relate to sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, and ethnocentrism; and link knowledge, research, teaching, and social activism. We engage students in the study of gender and the intersection of gender with other substantive categories of analysis and identity, including race, sexuality, class, disability, and nationality. We promote responsible citizenship in a diverse local and global environment. We empower students to think more critically about social, cultural, and institutional structures, policies and practices.

Undergraduate courses in Women’s Studies ensure that students receive an interdisciplinary education that bridges theory and practice, and focuses on the intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, and nationality in all areas of research.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Graduates will be able to understand feminist theoretical and methodological perspectives on culture and society.
  • Graduates will have the analytic competency to critique social inequalities founded on the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and nation.
  • Graduates will be able to critically reflect upon their own lives from a feminist perspective.
  • Graduates will comprehend the challenges of dismantling sexism and other oppressive beliefs, and will become leaders in work for social justice.

Requirements for Women's Studies Minor

The Women's Studies minor is comprised of 16 units, including core coursework and electives. Go to Catalog for this minor.

I. Core Requirements

The following 7 units of coursework are required:

Choose one (1) of the two courses for 3 units:

  • WOST 101 - Perspectives on Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2 OR   WOST 102 - Introduction to Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity

Plus, take the following 4 units:

  • WOST 401 - Feminist Theory Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity

II. Electives

Choose three (3) courses for 9 units from the following:

  • WOST 301 - Women and Work Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 302 - Women and Families Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 303 - Violence Against Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 402 - Women’s Bodies and Health Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 403 - Comparative Perspectives on Global Feminism Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice

Early Child Development Minor

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) minor is designed to provide non-Human-Development majors who are interested in the field of early childhood development with a recognized set of courses in early childhood development program for their future educational and career development.

Students who are interested in pursuing post-baccalaureate Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teaching certificates should review the 24 unit Early Childhood Development and/or Education prerequisite outlined by California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). CSUEB's minor in Early Childhood Development provides 15 or 16 units towards this requirement. Students can complete the remaining units through additional ECD or ECE coursework in Human Development, Teacher Education, or other academic departments. Lower division units count towards CTC's requirement.


Requirements for Early Child Development Minor

Students must complete 15 or 16 units from the following list of courses: Go to Catalog for this minor

  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4 **
  • HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4 ***
  • HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4 *
  • One course on Supervised Field Experience in ECE Setting (3 or 4 units) ****  [May be a lower division course transferred from community colleges]

    Notes:

    *      This course meets the Core Course Child Growth and Development requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    **    This course meets the Core Course Child/Family/Community requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    ***   This course meets the Core Course Programs/Curriculum requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    ****  This course meets the Supervised Field Experience in ECE Setting requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit


Early Childhood Development Certificate

Completion of the Early Childhood Development Certificate Program enables students to complete the required Early Childhood Education or Child Development coursework for the first 3 levels of Child Development Permits (the Assistant Permit, the Associate Teacher Permit, and the Teacher Permit), as specified by the California CTC (Commission on Teacher Credentialing). These permits are required for teaching at early childhood care and education settings for children from birth to 5 years of age. The HDEV courses completed at CSUEB for the Certificate can be applied to the Human Development Major with Early Childhood Development Concentration.

 

Requirements for ECD Certificate 


Teacher Permit Track

The Teacher Permit track requires 24 units: Go to Catalog for this certificate

Take the following 8 units:

  • HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4
  • HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4
Plus, choose 16 units from the following:
  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
  • HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4
  • HDEV 419 - Contemporary Research Topics in Early Childhood Units: 4
  • HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4
  • ECE, ECD, CHDEV, or equivalent course(s) from a community college (4 units)

Associate Teacher Permit Track

The Associate Teacher Permit track requires 15-16 units:

Take the following 8 units:

  • HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4
  • HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4
Plus, choose 7-8 units from the following:
  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
  • HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4
  • HDEV 419 - Contemporary Research Topics in Early Childhood Units: 4
  • HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4
  • ECE, ECD, CHDEV, or equivalent course(s) from a community college (3 units)

Optional for Majors:

Human Development Online Degree Cohort Program

All Human Development majors have the options of finishing their BA degrees completely online. Students who would like additional guidance in course selection are welcome to join the Human Development Online Cohort Program. These cohorts are designed for student who begin their HDEV coursework in the Fall Semester and plan to take 12+ units per term. Being in a HDEV Online Cohort allows the student to have a more directed academic experience. 

Online cohorts may be of particular interest to transferring community college students who work full-time but still want to earn a four-year degree. We accept students at junior status (upper division transfer eligibility is required) into the cohorts. 

You can apply to the California State University, East Bay at Cal State Apply. Select the Human Development major and choose the concentration of your choice. All Human Development concentrations can be completed online. If you have questions about the University application process, please contact the Office of the Registrar: reg@csueastbay.edu.

Students who are interested in joining the Human Development Online Cohort program should fill out the supplemental application available here.  After you are admitted to the university, your application will be reviewed for compliance with the HDEV Online Cohort program entry requirements.

You will be notified of your acceptance into the program during the Spring semester. Prior to the deadline to enroll for classes, you will receive an email through your Horizon email account informing you which courses to enroll in for fall semester. If you have any questions about your HDEV application, please email us at: HumanDevInfo@csueastbay.edu

 

Search for classes by term (click here to search for class listings)

 

List of Courses with Titles

Human Development - Go to Catalog for this department

  •    •  HDEV 300 - Introduction to Human Development for Human Development Majors Units: 1
       •  HDEV 301 - Theories of Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice Overlay
       •  HDEV 302 - Research Methods in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 312 - Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 321 - Gender, Race & Class in Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity Overlay
       •  HDEV 322 - Adult Development and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 380 - Lifespan Human Development Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
       •  HDEV 381 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Lifespan Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 398 - Internship Units: 1-3
       •  HDEV 400 - Futures and Careers for Human Development Majors Units: 1
       •  HDEV 401 - Applying Theories and Methods in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4
       •  HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 419 - Contemporary Research Topics in Early Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 421 - Child Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 422 - Social Development of Children: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 424 - Global Perspectives on Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 429 - Contemporary Topics on Children and Youth Units: 4
       •  HDEV 431 - Prevention and Intervention in Adolescent Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 432 - Social Dimensions of Conflict in Adolescent and Adult Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 433 - Technologies, Media, and Adolescence Units: 4
       •  HDEV 439 - Contemporary Research Topics in Adolescent Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 441 - Human Development and Work Units: 4
       •  HDEV 442 - Health and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 449 - Contemporary Research Topics in Adulthood and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 451 - Midlife Transitions Units: 4
       •  HDEV 452 - Intimate Relationships Across the Lifespan Units: 4
       •  HDEV 453 - Sexual Orientations in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 459 - Contemporary Research Topics in Women’s Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
       •  HDEV 497 - Issues in Human Development Units: 3
       •  HDEV 498 - Internship Units: 1-3
       •  HDEV 499 - Senior Research Seminar Units: 4

    Women's Studies - Go to Catalog for this department
  •   •  WOST 101 - Perspectives on Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2
       •  WOST 102 - Introduction to Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 301 - Women and Work Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 302 - Women and Families Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 303 - Violence Against Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 401 - Feminist Theory Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 402 - Women’s Bodies and Health Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 403 - Comparative Perspectives on Global Feminism Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice
       •  WOST 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
       •  WOST 497 - Issues in Women’s Studies Units: 3