The Child Studies major is designed for undergraduates interested in careers working with children and families in school or community settings.

The curriculum encompasses a social-justice, anti-racist, and cultural competence perspective, all constructs that are critical for 21st-century child advocates. As a complement to the curriculum, CHST majors work extensively with children and families in local schools and community-based programs. Our faculty is committed to addressing the myriad issues affecting marginalized populations: education policy, the pre-school to prison pipeline, socio-emotional processes, political dynamics, community organizing, institutional change, and so much more.

About Our Program

Child Studies majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and are prepared to matriculate to graduate studies in fields, such as teacher education, social work, counseling, psychology, law and more. CHST advisors can provide information about teaching credential programs and many other vocations requiring further graduate or professional school education. Our CHST alumni pursue careers in social work, teaching, counseling, family law, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, or nonprofit agencies that provide community services to children and families.

Academic Program

Future Teachers Project

Faculty & Staff

Department Chair

Brett Johnson Solomon
Associate Professor
Brett Johnson Solomon

Department Manager

Pattie Poulsen
Department Manager
Pattie Poulsen
408-554-4792 | Varsi Hall 201

All Faculty and Staff

Our faculty is committed to addressing the myriad issues affecting marginalized populations: education policy, the pre-school to prison pipeline, socio-emotional processes, political dynamics, community organizing, institutional change, and so much more.

Brett Solomon

Read more about our new Child Studies Director Solomon and her work on creating the new generation of "fire starters." Her research interests include dismantling the preschool-to-prison pipeline, implicit bias among child studies pre-professionals, and African American perspectives of exclusionary discipline practices.