Frequently Asked Questions

Faculty office hours are dedicated times when you can meet one-on-one with your professors to ask questions, get support, and talk about topics related to your courses or Child and Adolescent Development. You can find the times for office hours on your course syllabus. 

Office hours are here to help you:

• Get support with assignments or course topics
• Talk through feedback on graded work and learn how to improve
• Ask questions about class expectations

Office hours are also a great opportunity to connect beyond the classroom. For example, you can:

• Ask about research opportunities and how to get involved
• Explore career options or pathways like graduate school
• Get advice and mentorship from faculty

Sometimes you may disagree with an instructor about an assignment, grade, discussion, or other interaction. These situations can happen in ChAD or any other department on campus. If this happens, there are steps you can take to get support and resolve the issue:

1. Talk with your instructor first.
   Schedule a private meeting as soon as possible. Be honest and clear about your concerns, and try to work together to find a solution.
2. Talk with the department chair if needed.
   If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your instructor, or if the issue isn’t resolved after your meeting, make an appointment with the department chair. For ChAD, visit SH 201 to schedule a meeting.
3. Seek additional support.
   If the problem continues or you’re unable to speak with the chair, you can:

• • Make an appointment with the associate dean of the College of Education (SH 103).
  • Contact the SJSU ombudsperson at any time to discuss your concerns confidentially. 

Overview

• BA in Child and Adolescent DEvelopment with a Preparation for Teaching
  • Designed for students who are considering a career in teaching grades K-8.
• BA in Child and Adolescent Development with an Early Childhood Focus or Community Focus
  • Offers two pathways: Early Childhood FOcus and Community Focus
  • Designed for students interested in working in early childhood education settings or with children and families in community programs 

Requirements and Electives

• Both programs require 120 units to graduate
• The Preparation for Teaching program includes subject matter preparation courses, so it has more courses and fewer electives.
• The Early Childhood/Community Focus programs offer more flexibility with electives.

Practicum

• Preparation for Teaching: Practicum takes place in a K-8 classroom.
• Early Childhood/Community Focus: Practicum takes place in the department lab preschool or community settings serving children and families. 

Career Paths

• Preparation for Teaching: Ideal for students who plan to earn a teaching credential and work in K-8 schools.
• Early Childhood/Community Focus: Ideal for students interested in early education, child development, or community work with children and families. 

The required courses for this degree include subject matter preparation in each of the academic areas commonly taught in elementary schools, such as

- language and literature
- mathematics and science
- humanities and the arts
- human development and physical education
- and history and the social sciences.

Coursework in these topics will help you prepare to pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), which is a required test for teacher credential programs.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) in the summer of 2017 approved our BA with a Preparation for Teaching major to be a waiver of the CSET. Students who complete all the degree requirements with no course substitutions and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA can waive the CSET requirement for the credential. Students who substitute requirements for the BA in ChAD with a Preparation for Teaching will not be ineligible for the waiver and, thus, will be required to pass the CSET. To discuss this further, please meet with one of our ChAD advisors.

Teaching credential programs typically require a BA but it doesn't necessarily have to contain a focus on preparation for teaching. Completing the BA in Chad with a Preparation for Teaching also does not guarantee admission to a credential program. Colleges use several criteria for acceptance into credential programs. Check the requirements of the credential program that interests you.

You can switch from one program to another at any time. However, you must fulfill all requirements for the plan you have selected before your degree will be granted by SJSU. In addition, if you change from plans, you will need to complete a formal change of major form[BROKEN LINK].

Yes! Schedule an academic advising appointment regularly and anytime you have questions or concerns, so our advisors can support you in having a valuable academic experience at SJSU.