Academic Catalogs

Child and Adolescent Development, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 3_AAT_CHAD

Control Number: 38335

Financial Aid Eligible


The Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer was designed specifically to address the teacher shortage in California and as an alternative choice for students interested in the interdisciplinary field of Child and Adolescent development either as a stand-alone paraprofessional degree or a career ladder for transfer.  This degree gives students the lower division preparation required by CSU's to pursue alternative career paths in child and adolescent development such as elementary or special education teaching and other careers working with children and families.
The Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer is especially designed to meet the needs of students interested in an education/ teaching related career who prefer online classes and/or cannot always attend traditional face-to-face classes due to employment, marital status, family responsibilities, distance, and expenses incurred with traditional education schedules.
Besides the option for a  stand-alone degree, coursework is at the same time designed to meet the needs of students  planning to transfer for further studies in the interdisciplinary field of Child and Adolescent Development, and to transfer to a CSU into programs in Child Development, Human Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Liberal Studies (Child Development/Teaching).
Included is the major pattern for students planning to transfer to a CSU. It is strongly recommended that students contact a Coastline counselor to develop an official Student Educational Plan to discuss optimum course selection for a terminal degree for a paraprofessional or optimum course selection for transfer purposes, non-CSU universities, or if they have questions about the Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer for CSU Transfer.
This degree is separate from the Associate in Science for Transfer in Early Childhood Education, which prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. Students interested in preschool teaching and receiving their Child Development Teaching Permit should complete the requirements for an Early Childhood Associate in Science for Transfer. However, students who complete the Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer and choose to take other child development coursework as their electives will also be able to qualify for employment in the field of Early Childhood Education, as well as earn a Child Development Permit issued by the California State Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Ed Code Section 66746-66749 states students earning the Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer will be granted priority for admission as a Child Development major to a CSU, as determined by the CSU campus to which the student applies.

Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are open to all Coastline students. Students who do not plan on transferring to a California State University school should consult their Counselor regarding the benefits of an AA-T/AS-T degree based on their goals. Students earning an AA-T or AS-T and intending on transferring to a California State University school receive transfer admission benefits for specific majors at many California State University campuses. Visit the Transfer Information catalog page for more information.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Will be eligible (with appropriate GPA) for seamless transfer into the CSU system to pursue a baccalaureate degree in Child and Adolescent Development or related major.
  2. Will be able to apply major concepts of child adolescent development, education, and family theory in order to work in programs aimed at supporting children and families. 
  3. Apply knowledge, skills, experience, and feedback to make an informed choice to be employed and/or to continue study in the interdisciplinary field of child/adolescent development.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units. A minimum of 12 units must be in residence at Coastline College.
  2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18 semester units in an Associate Degree for Transfer major as detailed in the catalog.
  4. Certified Completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE Breadth - Coastline’s Option 2 General Education pattern), OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC - Coastline Option 3 General Education pattern).
Course Title Units
Required Core
Complete the following:
MATH C160Introduction to Statistics4
PSYC C100Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
List A
Complete three of the following:9-9.5
Cultural Anthropology
Family, School, and Community Partnerships
Introduction to Sociology
Dating, Relationships, and Marriage
Introduction to Biology
Life Span Developmental Psychology
A maximum of two of the following may be used to meet List A requirements (3 to 6.5 units):
Introduction to Computers in Education: Technology Proficiencies for Teachers 1
Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Diverse Contemporary Classrooms Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations
The Teaching Profession Includes 45 hours of required fieldwork
Introduction to Special Education Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations
Children's Literature
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
Units Required for Major19-19.5
CSU General Education or IGETC pattern37-39
Transfer Electives as needed to reach 60 transferable unitsVaries
Total Units for Degree60
Course Title Units
Students seeking a teaching emphasis for this degree should consider completing some or all of the following courses, depending on selected pathway, permit, or credential:
EDUC C103Introduction to Computers in Education: Technology Proficiencies for Teachers 12
EDUC C104Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Diverse Contemporary Classrooms1
EDUC C180Family, School, and Community Partnerships Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations3
EDUC C200The Teaching Profession Includes 45 hours of required fieldwork3.5
EDUC C210Introduction to Special Education Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations3
ENGL C143Children's Literature3
MATH C104Mathematics for Elementary Teachers3

Child and Adolescent Development ADT Program Map


This Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program map is a recommended example of all major (program) requirements as well as general education requirements for two-year completion or transfer. This path may be altered to fit your individual academic needs. These two-year program maps were created by program faculty and counselors and demonstrate a recommended path to completion. Students are advised to meet with a Coastline Counselor for individualized program planning.

Your Path to Success

Follow this path to earn your ADT in Child and Adolescent Development in 2 years.

Don’t forget to consult a counselor for an education plan!

See a graphic of the

Don’t forget to consult a counselor for an education plan!

Course Title Units
1st Semester
EDUC C103Introduction to Computers in Education: Technology Proficiencies for Teachers 12
ENGL C100Freshman Composition4
MATH C160Introduction to Statistics4
EDUC C180Family, School, and Community Partnerships3
EDUC C104Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Diverse Contemporary Classrooms1
2nd Semester
BIOL C100Introduction to Biology3
MATH C104Mathematics for Elementary Teachers3
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
ENGL C102Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing3
EDUC C200The Teaching Profession3.5
Summer Semester
EDUC C210Introduction to Special Education3
3rd Semester
CMST C110Public Speaking3
PSYC C100Introduction to Psychology3
CHEM C140Survey of Chemistry and Physics4
MUS C100History and Appreciation of Music3
4th Semester
PSCI C180American Government3
PSYC C118Life Span Developmental Psychology3
HIST C170United States History to 18763
ENGL C143Children's Literature3
ETHS C233Racial and Ethnic Relations in America3