SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The goal of the program in Child Development and Child Care is to prepare the graduate for high quality developmental service to children, youth, and families and to undertake responsibility as a child development specialist in a variety of settings: preschools, day care centers, day and residential treatment programs, in-school and after-school developmental programs, community mental health agencies, detention centers, psychiatric centers, pediatric health care programs, and home-based care and treatment. Completion of the program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. The program also prepares interested students for graduate study.

The objectives of the program are to

• provide knowledge of child and youth development in a family and life span context;
• combine classroom and practical work to provide the theory and research base with opportunity for observation, direct application, and guided skill development;
• develop skills in the use of relationships, activity media, environmental design, and program planning to foster developmental and therapeutic goals.

• Child Development and Child Care Course Listing

CONTACT INFORMATION

Students interested in the program can contact the School of Social Work Office of Admissions (see Contact Information of this bulletin), or the following:

Child Development and Child Care Office
1717 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-6348
narr+@pitt.edu
http://www.pitt.edu/~mattgly/CD-CC

ADMISSIONS

The Program in Child Development and Child Care uses a rolling admissions procedure with a final deadline of May 15. In reviewing applications for admission, the Admissions Committee considers the following factors:

• Academic skill as evident on the student's transcript. The minimum acceptable QPA is 2.50.
• Documented evidence of experience and ability to work with children (experience may include volunteer work or employment).
• References, preferably from professionals familiar with the student's maturity, work habits, academic ability, and experience with children/youth.
• Completion of 60 credits before the first term of enrollment in the program, including the following prerequisite courses, all of which should be taken for a letter grade:

  - English composition (3 credits)
  - Developmental Psychology or equivalent (3 credits)
  - Other courses broadly distributed in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences

Credits awarded from the College Level Examination Program by the College of General Studies are acceptable for inclusion in the 60 credits.

The program welcomes applications from junior and community college students and from students at other colleges and universities, including students from other countries. These students should see Transfer Student Admissions or International Student Admissions for further details on applying. Students from other academic backgrounds should consult the program director for evaluation.

Interested students may apply for early admission to the School of Education's master's degree programs in early childhood education and early intervention and qualify for the degree by taking courses in addition to the ones listed under Major Requirements below and by completing a postbaccalaureate year.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

The curriculum is organized into four terms of upper-division (junior and senior year) study. Study encompasses developmental theory and research from birth through adolescence; professional issues; family dynamics; cultural distinction; handicapping conditions; psychopathology; curriculum and activity planning; practice skills; and an introduction to management. Students spend 300 to 600 hours of internship in the senior year in programs for children, youth, and families, including those with special needs. Flexibility in the curriculum is provided through electives, internship focus, and class project topic selection.

Graduation requires that students take a minimum of 120 credits, 46 of which must be taken in the child development and child care courses listed below. All of these courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better, and students must maintain a QPA of 2.50 in the major. Students must also perform successfully in the internship, according to prevailing standards, in order to remain in good standing in the program.

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