Child Development
"Every child needs at least one person who is irrationally crazy about [them]."- Urie Bronfenbrenner
If the words of Dr. Bronfenbrenner inspire you to make a positive impact in the lives of children and their families, then the Child Development may be right for you. Our program offers courses that align with the hands-on experiences of an early childhood educator while meeting the requirements for employment and/or transfer to a CSU. Whether you're a new student or a seasoned teacher, our classes can help you achieve your goals of higher education, stay up-to-date with the latest research, learn best practices, and earn the units you need to be hired or advance at your workplace.
Core Child Development courses include:
- Child Growth & Development
- Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children
- Observation & Assessment
- Practicum
- Child, Family Community
- Health, Safety & Nutrition
- Introduction to Curriculum
- Teaching in a Diverse Society
Other Child Development courses or related electives include:
- Introduction to Children with Special Needs
- Guiding Children’s Social Development
- Infant/Toddler & School-Age Child Care
- Adult Supervision & Administration
Child Development majors go into a variety of careers. Some examples are:
At the Certificate Level: |
At the Associate's Level: |
At the Bachelor's & Beyond Level: |
Associate Infant/Toddler Teacher |
Early Childhood Teacher | State & Funded Preschool Director |
Associate Preschool Teacher | TK-8 Teacher’s Assistant | Education Administrator |
In-home Child Care Provider | Children’s Center Director | Child & Family Social Worker |
Special Education Aide | Home Visitor | Early Interventionist |
After School Program Aide | After School Program Teacher | TK-12 Teacher |
Students successfully completing the Child Development Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) Degree have a solid foundation for pursuing further education in Child Development or a related field. This AS-T degree is specifically designed to streamline transfer to CSU, see www.adegreewithaguarantee.com for details. If you are interested in transferring to a UC, you can find more information on the UC Transfer Pathways website. Work with your Columbia College Counselor to help you navigate the best course options for your specific educational goal.
