Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Child and Family Development Major at SDSU



My name is Pamela Gardner and I am the Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of Child and Family Development (CFD) at San Diego State University.  Many high school students are not aware of our major and the careers our graduates pursue.  Consequently, I would like to provide you with a brief introduction to our major and our students.  Please share this information with your students as they prepare their college applications.

The interdisciplinary major in Child and Family Development prepares students for a variety of professional specialties.  Our graduates find positions in preschools, child care centers, hospitals, schools, residential institutions, public welfare agencies, family service agencies, family planning clinics, mental health institutions, community programs, business and industry, and government agencies.  Our major provides preparation for graduate study and credential programs in child and family development, education, social work, special education, school counseling, school psychology, marriage and family therapy, physical/occupational therapy, law, and medicine.

Our department is unique in many ways.  Students have opportunities to work alongside faculty, assisting with research and community-based projects.  We are strong believers in the “learn by doing” philosophy and our students are placed in the field beginning their first year at SDSU.  Students graduate with not only theoretical knowledge, but with a great deal of practical experience, as well.  We have an outstanding student organization and our members are doing great things on campus and in the San Diego community.  The support that students receive is truly exceptional in our CFD department.  We have a mentor center where students receive peer-mentoring, hold study groups, use the computers/printers, or just hang out with friends.  We are proud to say that because of our strong student support, we have the highest graduation rate on campus!  Our involvement with and support of students does not end with graduation.  We formed the first department-based SDSU alumni chapter.  Our alumni hold social events and networking meetings.

As you can see, I am very proud of our Child and Family Development Department.  I know your students will receive an excellent college education and experience in our department and at SDSU.  I will be attending the college fair at Grossmont College on Saturday, October 19.  Please encourage your students to attend and to stop by my table.  I look forward to meeting them!  Please contact me with any questions, pgardner@mail.sdsu.edu or 619 594-7035.

Thank you very much!!

Pamela W. Gardner, M.S.
Undergraduate Advisor
Department of Child and Family Development
San Diego State University

619 594-7035