Early Childhood Development Certificate

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Program Start Date: Fall and Spring terms
Minimum Program Length: 32 academic weeks; 2 terms; 28 credits
Curriculum Code: 70454

Program Description

Early childhood development students acquire specific skills to create activities for the social, emotional, physical and mental development of children, both in and out of the classroom.

Practical Experience

Students gain early childhood development skills through studies of best practices in child development centers, private and public kindergartens, and special facilities.

Professional Opportunities

Graduates may work as teacher’s aides in special education facilities or child development centers, or as a teacher in a child development facility.

Unique Aspects

Student entering the program must have a criminal background investigation (CBI) and health form completed during ECD 102 . Any positive CBI check within the last seven (7) years will result in the student being dismissed from the Early Care and Education Program.

A minimum of C or higher is required in all courses.

EEDA Career Cluster:

Education and Training

Course Requirements:

COL 101 - College Orientation Credits: 1
(Note: Students who place into two or more developmental areas are required to take COL 103 in place of COL 101 .)
ECD 101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECD 102 - Growth & Development I Credits: 3
ECD 105 - Guidance-Classroom Management Credits: 3
ECD 107 - Exceptional Children Credits: 3
ECD 131 - Language Arts Credits: 3
ECD 132 - Creative Experiences Credits: 3
ECD 133 - Science & Math Concepts Credits: 3
ECD 135 - Health, Safety, & Nutrition Credits: 3
ECD 203 - Growth and Development II Credits: 3

Total Credits: 28

Note: The Early Childhood Development Certificate has been approved as an alternative to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential required as certification for Head Start teachers.

Semester Display

First Semester

COL 101 - College Orientation Credits: 1
ECD 101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECD 102 - Growth & Development I Credits: 3
ECD 105 - Guidance-Classroom Management Credits: 3
ECD 132 - Creative Experiences Credits: 3
ECD 133 - Science & Math Concepts Credits: 3

Second Semester

ECD 107 - Exceptional Children Credits: 3
ECD 131 - Language Arts Credits: 3
ECD 135 - Health, Safety, & Nutrition Credits: 3
ECD 203 - Growth and Development II Credits: 3

Total Credits: 28

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:
1.   Plan and implement experiences for children from birth through age 8 which stimulate children’s physical, cognitive, language, emotional, and social development.
2.   Demonstrate professionalism through course work, observations, and field experiences within the early care and education field.
3.   Identify and demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and needs for children from birth through age 8.
4.   Identify and demonstrate the use of appropriate assessment in early care and education.
5.   Demonstrate family and community involvement within the early care and education field.
6.   Demonstrate their ability to speak, listen actively, and respond effectively.