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: 2026 Fall Semester

Course Requirements

15 units

CDEV 12
Child Abuse

3 units

This course is typically only offered in a spring semester.

Effective Term: 2026 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)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

CDEV 30
Child and Family in a Diverse Community

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 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

CDEV C1000
Child Growth and Development

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
Part 1: Students examine the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identify developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on interactions between biological processes, environmental, and cultural factors. Students may engage in various methods of observing children's development to evaluate individual differences and analyze development characteristics at various stages according to developmental theories.
Part 2: (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:

    Introduction to Child Welfare

    3 units

    CDEV 60
    Introduction to Child Welfare

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2026 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)
    Course Details:
    1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    or

    HS 60
    Introduction to Child Welfare

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2026 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)
    Course Details:
    1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    HS 20
    Introduction to Social Welfare

    3 units
    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

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

    Total: 15 units