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Child Learning and Development (B.S.)

Providing better ways to foster the intellectual and emotional development of all of our children is a national priority. As such, well-educated university graduates are needed to go on to become expert child development practitioners and researchers. Over the last 60 years, the academic disciplines of developmental psychology and child development have accumulated a vast body of research-based knowledge about the factors that promote optional child learning, development, and well-being, as well as those that contribute to disadvantaged child development. The Child Learning and Development major provides undergraduate students a rigorous science-based curriculum that immerses them in the theories, findings, research methods, and best-practices that the scientific study of child development has to offer.

The Child Learning and Development major focuses on the fundamental processes of child and adolescent development within the contexts of families, schools, peer groups, and larger cultural milieu. Its three objectives are to provide students with a strong foundation in 1) cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development, 2) research skills for conducting scientific studies and evaluating applied programs, 3) translating scientific findings into practical applications for understanding and improving children's lives. Opportunities for supervised and independent research, as well as field placements that involve working with children, families, schools, and social services, are provided in addition to formal work.

The Child Learning and Development major prepares students for a wide range of careers in education, psychology, social work, family medicine, public health, family law, and public policy. The major is especially well suited for students seeking elementary teacher certification (early childhood - 4th grade) through UTD's Teacher Development Center. By combining a major in Child Learning and Development with elementary teacher certification, students will develop a strong foundation in child development and teaching. Elementary Teacher Certification requires a minimum of 45 additional hours of course work that can be completed within the free elective hours of the Child Learning and Development major. If you are interested in this combined child development/education program (called CLDP/EC4), see an advisor to develop a degree plan.

Bachelor of Science in Child Learning and Development
Degree Requirements (120 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 42 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective (CLDP 3394)²
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavioral Science Elective (PSY 2301)²
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
        3 hours College Math (recommend MATH 1306, 1314, or 2417)
        3 hours Quantitative Methods or Math (PSY 2317)²
    E. Science (9 hours)
        3 hours Science (NSC 3361 and CGS 2301 recommended)²
        3 hours Science Electives (including at least one course with a substantial laboratory
        component)

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at U.T. Dallas.

II. Major Requirements: 37 hours (28 hours beyond Core Curriculum)
    Major Preparatory Courses: 21 hours
        All of the following:
            PSY 2301 Introduction to Psychology² (also satisfies 3 hours part B of Core)
            PSY 2317 Statistics for Psychology
                or STAT 1342 Statistical Decision Making (also satisfies 3 hours part D of Core)
    Major Core Courses: 21 hours
            CLDP 3303 Language Development
            CLDP 3310 Child Development
                or CLDP 3339 Educational Psychology
                or CLDP 4334 Lifespan Development
            CLDP 3332 Social and Personality Development
            CLDP 3342 Exceptional Children
                or CLDP 4344 Child Psychopathology
            CLDP 3362 Cognitive Development
                or CLDP 3365 Child Learning
            CLDP 3194 Research and Evaluation Laboratory (taken with CLDP 3394)
            CLDP 3394 Research and Evaluation Methods² (also satisfies 3 hours part A of Core)
            CLDP 4394 Internship
                or CLDP 4395 Co-Op Fieldwork
                or CLDP 4V98 Directed Research
                or CLDP 4397 Honors Thesis
        Major Guided Electives (9 hours)
            Any 9 hours of courses with CLDP prefix or any of the following courses: CGS 2301, CGS             3342, CGS 3342, CGS 4312, CGS 4313, CGS 4314, CGS 4315, CGS 4352, CGS 4353, ED,             4352, ED 4355, ED 4357, NSC 3345, NSC 4352, NSC 4353, NSC 4354, NSC 4367, PSY             3331, PSY 3333, PSY 3361, PSY 4331, PSY 4343, PSY 4360, PSY 4362, PSY 4364, PSY             4373, SPAU 3301, SPAU 3304, SPAU 3340, SPAU 3343, SPAU 3344, SPAU 3345 or SPAU             4308.

² A required Major course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement.

III. Elective Requirements: 50 hours
    Advanced Electives (6 hours):
        Six hours of upper-division courses which do not have a CLDP prefix.
    Free Electives (44 hours)
        Students are encouraged to explore areas of concentration in Child Learning and         Development as well as explore interests outside the field. Be aware that at least 51 hours         of upper division credit hours are required for graduation.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 31, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Statement on Equal Educational Opportunity
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.