Child Welfare - Formerly Foster Care – Major #5581

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Certificate of Achievement in Child Welfare is designed to prepare students to work with children and families who are part of the child welfare system. Students will gain a basic understanding of the child welfare system and various community resources. They will also learn basic interventions and techniques to support children and families receiving services through the child welfare system.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Integrate understanding of the needs, the characteristics and multiple influences on development of children birth to age eighteen who are in out-of-home placement due to issues of neglect and/or abuse.
  2. 2. Apply effective guidance and interaction strategies that support children in the child welfare system in social learning, identity and self confidence.
  3. 3. Develop strategies that support relationships between children and their birth families, resource families, and child welfare staff.
  4. 4. Identify the role of the child welfare system and the impact of trauma on development.
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester

Course Requirements

15 units

CHDEV 12
Child Abuse

3 units

This course is typically only offered in a spring semester.

Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course will explore the issues related to abused, battered, and neglected children, including profiles of abusers. Reporting laws, the legal process and professional responsibilities will be identified. Identification, prevention and treatment of abused children and abusers will be covered. (A, CSU)

CHDEV 30
Child and Family in a Diverse Community

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course emphasizes the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. The course examines the influence of multiple societal contexts including race, equity, and language. Students will explore the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. G: Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
  1. D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
  2. CSU Transfer Course
  1. E2 - Lifetime Skills

CHDEV 39
Child Growth and Development

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. An emphasis will be on the interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children of varying ages to evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
    1. G: Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
    2. I: Psychology
    1. D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
    2. D9 - Psychology
    3. E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
    4. CSU Transfer Course

      Introduction to Child Welfare

      3 units

      CHDEV 60
      Introduction to Child Welfare

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      This course is an introduction to child welfare history, policies, and practices. Students will explore the goals of child welfare including safety, a permanent family and well-being of every child. The course emphasizes practices for preventing, remedying, and mitigating child maltreatment. (A, CSU)
      or

      HS 60
      Introduction to Child Welfare

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      This course is an introduction to child welfare history, policies, and practices. Students will explore the goals of child welfare including safety, a permanent family and well-being of every child. The course emphasizes practices for preventing, remedying, and mitigating child maltreatment. (A, CSU)

      HS 20
      Introduction to Social Welfare

      3 units

      This course is typically only offered every other fall semester (FA 2024, FA 2026, FA 2028). 

      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      This course is the introduction to the social, economic, political, historical and philosophical components important in the development of the US social welfare system and the social work profession. Instruction maintains an emphasis on the knowledge base, value systems, and specific fields of social work practice. (A, CSU, UC)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer Course
        1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences
        Total: 15 units