The Early Childhood Development programs prepare students in the care, supervision, and education of young children from birth to age eight. The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree provides fundamentals of child development and educational training for those entering the field. Graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills for work in settings such as preschools, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs, private schools, public schools and before-and-after school programs.

The Career Studies Certificate programs focus on specific aspects of early childhood and prepare students for work with young children in a variety of school, childcare, and agency settings.

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

1        Eligible courses are listed on page 28 in the 2011-2012 catalog.  See your academic

          advisor or counselor to choose the appropriate course(s).

Certificate: Early Childhood Instruction (632)

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The Early Childhood Instruction Certificate trains students in the care, supervision, and education of children from birth through 12 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 private family nannies.

Career Studies: Administering Programs for Young Children (221.636.61)

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The Administering Programs for Young Children Career Studies Certificate provides students 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: Child Development (221.636.04)

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The Child Development Career Studies Certificate provides students 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: Early Childhood Development: Infant and Toddler Care (221.636.06)

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The Career Studies Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care is designed to prepare individuals to create developmentally appropriate learning environments for infants and toddlers. Occupational opportunities include employment in child development programs and child care agencies/centers that include infants and toddlers.

1     Students who use this credential to satisfy national Head Start requirements will enroll
       in CHD 167 to prepare a portfolio to submit to VA DSS for evaluation. Students not using
       this program in that way may choose any other three-credit program-specific course
       which will help meet requirements for the Early Childhood Instruction certificate and
       ultimately the A.A.S. degree.

 

Career Studies: Early Childhood Development: Preschool (221.636.05)

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The Career Studies Certificate in Preschool Education is designed to prepare individuals to create developmentally appropriate learning environments for preschool children. Occupational opportunities include employment in child development programs and child care agencies/centers that include preschool-aged children.

1     Students who use this credential to satisfy national Head Start requirements will enroll
       in CHD 167 to prepare a portfolio to submit to VA DSS for evaluation. Students not using
       this program in that way may choose any other three-credit program-specific course
       which will help meet requirements for the Early Childhood Instruction certificate and
       ultimately the A.A.S. degree.

 

Career Studies: Educational Support Specialist (221.629.03)

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The Career Studies Certificate in Education Support Specialist prepares individuals for work as teaching assistants in public and private school settings. Course work includes language arts, social studies, math, and science, along with child psychology behavior guidance.

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

 

Career Studies: School Age Care (221.636.09)

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The Career Studies Certificate in School-Age Care trains students to plan, implement, and manage high-quality before-and-after school programs in efficient and effective ways, using state and national guidelines and field-testing program planning.