Child Development – A Career that Makes a Difference

Building Futures

Early childhood is a time of discovery, learning, and growth, a time when caring, well-educated adults can significantly impact children’s success in school and in life. Whether you're interested in advancing your current career or wish to enter this rewarding profession, TCC can help you take the next step in achieving your goals.

Our graduates can expect rewarding careers as teachers, administrators, assistants, family home providers, head start teachers, or in many other child and family–related fields.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child development graduates can expect growth across the field for years to come.  Income, of course, varies widely but increased emphasis on child development means that career opportunities should be strong for quite a while.  Our graduates leave knowing the latest in child development theory and best practices in the field and are prepared to work in high quality programs.

Want to know more about career options for the early childhood professional?  Explore your options.

Each of our certificates provides a foundation for the AAS degree in Early Child Development, and ultimately, a bachelors degree in one of our 3+1 programs with NSU or ODU. 

Our degree options include:

• Associate of Applied Science Degree: Early Childhood Development (636)
• Certificate: Early Childhood Instruction (632)
• Career Studies: Administering Programs for Young Children (221.636.61)
• Career Studies: Child Development (221.636.04)
• Career Studies: Educational Support Specialist (221.629.03)
• Career Studies: School Age Care (221.636.09)

Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Development prepares you to be employed as director, manager, teacher, teacher aide, substitute teacher, recreation aide, nutrition aide, program leader, business owner/operator, and private tutor. Settings include preschools, child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs, pre-kindergarten schools, private schools, agency sponsored programs, religious-based programs, public schools, and before and after school programs.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: Early Childhood Development (636)

The Early Childhood Instruction certificate prepares you in the care, supervision, and education of children from birth through twelve years of age. Graduates earning this certification begin work in public and private child care centers, preschool programs, family child care homes, before and after school programs, and religious–sponsored programs, or as a private family nanny.

Certificate: Early Childhood Instruction (632)

The Child Development Career Studies provides you with entry-level knowledge required to work with children. These core courses also meet the requirements for students to begin their CDA credentialing processes.

Career Studies: Child Development (221.636.04)

The Educational Support Specialist Career Studies leads to positions as a teacher assistant in public and private schools.

Career Studies: Educational Support Specialist (221.629.03)

The Administering Programs for Young Children Career Studies Certificate provides you with legal and clerical information required to manage, direct, and/or own any type of facility designated to care and educate young children.

Career Studies: Administering Programs for Young Children (221.636.61)

The School Age Care Career Studies Certificate prepares you  to efficiently and effectively plan, implement, and manage a high quality before and after school program using state and national guidelines and field-tested program planning.

Career Studies: School Age Care (221.636.09)

1        Eligible courses are listed on page 64 in the 2008-2009 catalog.  See your academic advisor or counselor to choose the appropriate course(s).

* Approved electives may be chosen from CHD 145, CHD 210, or HLT 135.