Child Development Specialist
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Child Development Specialist Certificate program is a series of five courses designed to prepare teachers and child care providers with the foundational knowledge needed to deliver developmentally appropriate services to young children. Graduates are to be able to understand and practice ethical conduct and to provide a safe learning environment for young children birth through eight years old. In addition, graduates will be able to observe and assess the behavior and design age appropriate curricula. Program graduates are qualified for employment as assistants and lead teachers in childcare centers and as Para-educators in public and private school settings. This certificate meets the Bright From the Start licensing requirement for all childcare lead teachers and Family Home Childcare programs.
Entrance Requirements
This program requires either the ACCUPLACER® or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED. Minimum Required Age of 16.
ACCUPLACER® minimum scores: Reading Comprehension 55, Sentence Skills 60, Arithmetic 34
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 70, Writing 32, Mathematics 26
Note: Students will be required to complete a satisfactory National Criminal Background Check before they can complete this program of study
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:Other Conditions for Admission: Students will be required to obtain a cleared criminal background check before beginning field placement in Practicum.Occupational Courses:ECCE1101Intro-Early Childhood Care/Edu3Introduces concepts relating the responsibilities and procedures involved in a variety of early childhood care situations. Topics include historical perspectives; professionalism; guidance; developmentally appropriate practices; learning environment (including all children); cultural diversity; and licensing, accreditation, and credentialin1914ECCE1103Child Growth and Development3Introduces the student to the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the young child (prenatal through 12 years of age).
The course provides for competency development in observing, recording, and interpreting growth and development stages in the young child; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development; and examining relationships between child development and positive guidance. Topics include developmental characteristics, prenatal through age 12, developmental guidance applications, observing and recording techniques, ages and stages of development, and introduction to children with special needs.1915ECCE1105Health, Safety and Nutrition3Introduces the theory, practices, and requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Topics include CPR and first aid, health issues, safety issues, child abuse and neglect, and nutritional needs of children1916ECCE1112Curriculum and Assessment3Provides student with an understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching, learning, observing, documenting and assessment strategies that promote positive development for young children. The course will enable the student to establish a learning environment appropriate for young children and to identify the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in the development of curriculum for young children. Topics include observing, documenting, and assessing; learning environments; development of curriculum plans and
materials; curriculum approaches; and instructional media.1917ECCE1121Early Childhood Care Practicum3Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in a practicum placement site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; teaching and learning; becoming a professional; and guidance techniques and classroom management.1919Minimum Length of Program: 2 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 15