Child Studies Degrees

Associate of Art Degree in Child and Adolescent Development

The Associate in Arts in Child and Adolescent Development for Transfer degree (AA-T in Child and Adolescent Development) is a 60 unit program which provides students the lower division coursework required for transfer to a CSU institution for the major in Child and Adolescent Development for the goal of teaching in the elementary schools of California or entering advanced careers with children and families.

Students who complete the Associate in Arts in Child and Adolescent Development for Transfer degree (AA-T in Child and Adolescent Development) will be able to:

• integrate the developmental theories of child development into the implementation of teaching practices and curriculum and demonstrate a broad understanding of biological, social, cognitive, and cultural factors influencing children’s development and learning.

Students must complete the following requirements:

• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units;
• the California State University-General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth);
• OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern;
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district;
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0;
• earn a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

See ADT Requirements

Associate of Science Degree for Transfer in Early Childhood Education

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree (AS-T in Early Childhood Education) is a 60 unit program which provides students the lower division coursework required for transfer to a CSU institution for the major in Child Development. Students completing the BA/BS in Child Development will be prepared to enter the fields of education, social welfare, parent education, child advocacy, counseling, and public health.

Students who complete the Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree (AS-T in Early Childhood Education) will be able to:

• apply ethical guidelines and advocacy skills to maintain standards of high quality care and education for young children.

Students must complete the following requirements:

• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California State University-General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth); OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern.
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
• obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
• earn a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.

Students are not required to complete the information competency requirements, PE requirements or cultural diversity requirements found in other degrees at the College.

After completing an A.S.-T in Early Childhood Education, a student will be able to:

• Integrate an understanding of the needs, characteristics, and multiple influences on the development of children birth to age eight as it is related to high quality care and education of young children.
• Design, implement, and evaluate environments and activities that support positive, developmental play and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Develop strategies that promote partnerships between programs, teachers, families, and their communities.
• Demonstrate ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen understanding, knowledge and commitment to the Early Childhood profession.

See ADT Requirements

Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education is a vital component to our local, state, and national system of care and education for young children and offers many exciting career opportunities. The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students to qualify for a variety of permits issued by the Teacher Credentialing, State of California. These permits include a master teacher, site supervisor, and program director permit. Receiving an A.S. in Early Childhood Education also meets the requirement to teach in a National Head Start Program.

Possible Career Options are:

• Assistant Teacher
• Teacher
• Master Teacher
• Site Supervisor
• Parent Educator
• Program Director
• Early Intervention Assistant

After completing an Early Childhood Education A.S. Degree, a student will be able to:

• Integrate an understanding of the needs, characteristics, and multiple influences on the development of children birth to age eight as it is related to high quality care and education of young children.
• Design, implement, and evaluate environments and activities that support positive, developmental play and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Develop strategies that promote partnerships between programs, teachers, families, and their communities.
• Demonstrate ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen understanding, knowledge and commitment to the early childhood profession.

Required Classes (24 units)

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 1	Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children	3 units
CHST 2	Child Growth and Development	3 units
CHST 5	Diversity: Childhood and Culture	3 units
CHST 35	Practicum in Early Childhood Education	3 units
CHST 63	Child, Family, and Community	3 units
CHST 66	Child Safety, Health and Nutrition	3 units
CHST 80	Introduction to Curriculum	3 units
CHST 87	Observation and Assessment	3 units
CHST 35A	Field Experience in ECE	2 units

Electives: Select 12 units from the following list

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 34A	Introduction to the Child With Special	3 units
CHST 53	Contemporary Education in a Changing Society	3 units
CHST 58	EC Language and Literacy Curriculum	3 units
CHST 59	EC Music and Movement Curriculum	3 units
CHST 60	Introduction to EC STEM Curriculum	3 units
CHST 64	Supervision and Administration I	3 units
CHST 65	Supervision and Administration II	3 units
CHST 67	EC Creative Arts Curriculum	3 units
CHST 70	Infant/Toddler Development & Care	3 units
CHST 85	Adult Supervision in Early Childhood Programs	3 units
CHST 88A	The Outdoor Environment	1 unit

Total Major Units: 38 units

GE Units: 25 units

Total Degree Units: 60 units

*CHST 70 is required to work with infants/toddlers.

**CHST 85 is required for students applying for the Title 5 California Department of Education Master Teacher, Site Supervisor, or Program Director permit.

***CHST 64 and 65 are required for students applying for the Title 5 California Department of Education Site Supervisor or Program Director permit.

****CHST 34A and 34B are required to work as an Early Intervention Assistant.

Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Teacher Level 1

This certificate requires the successful completion of 6 required core courses and 3 units of electives for a total of 21 units. This certificate satisfies the Department of Social Services Title 22 Community Care Licensing requirements for qualified infant-toddler and pre-school teachers, and before and after school age caregivers in a licensed early childhood program. It also satisfies the California Department of Education Title 5 child development coursework requirements for the Child Development Assistant or Associate Teacher permit.

After completing the Early Childhood Teacher Level 1 Certificate of Achievement, students will be able to:

• Provide and support service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with children, families, colleagues, and the community.
• Apply for and receive an Associate Teacher permit from the California Department of Education Child Development Teacher Permit Matrix.

Possible career options are infant-toddler assistant or caregiver, assistant teacher or aide, teacher, early intervention assistant, family care provider, and before and after school-age caregiver.

Required Classes (15 units)

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 1	Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children	3 units
CHST 2	Child Growth and Development	3 units
CHST 34A	Introduction to the Child With Special Needs	3 units
CHST 63	Child, Family, and Community	3 units
CHST 66	Child Safety, Health and Nutrition	3 units

Choose one of the following options

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 70	Infant-Toddler Development & Care	3 units
	OR
ELED 20	Introduction to Elementary Teaching	2 units
	AND
ELED 20A	Field Experience in Elementary Teaching	1 unit

Choose 3 units from the following electives

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 58	EC Language and Literacy Curriculum	3 units
CHST 59	EC Music and Movement Curriculum	3 units
CHST 60	Introduction to EC STEM Curriculum	3 units
CHST 67	EC Creative Arts Curriculum	3 units

Total Certificate Units: 21 units

Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Teacher Level 2

This certificate is intended to follow successful completion of the Early Childhood Teacher Level 1 certificate, including prerequisite courses CHST 001, 002 and 063.

This certificate requires the successful completion of 6 required core courses and 6 units of electives for a total of 21 units.

This certificate satisfies California Department of Education Title 5 child development coursework requirements for the Child Development Teacher permit.

After completing the Early Childhood Teacher Level 2 Certificate of Achievement, students will be able to:

• Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments using child development theory, observations of children, and health and safety standards.
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with children, families, colleagues, and the community.
• Apply ethical guidelines and advocacy skills to maintain standards of high quality care and education of young children.
• Apply for and receive a Teacher permit from the California Department of Education Child Development Teacher Permit Matrix.

Possible career options are infant-toddler teacher, preschool teacher, pre-K teacher, and before and after school-age teacher.

Required Courses (15 units)

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 35A	Field Experience in ECE	2 units
CHST 5	Diversity: Childhood and Culture	3 units
CHST 35	Practicum in Early Childhood Education	3 units
CHST 80	Introduction to Curriculum	3 units
CHST 87	Observation and Assessment	3 units
CHST 88A	The Outdoor Environment	1 unit

Complete 6 units from the following list (not already completed from Level 1 Certificate)

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 53	Contemporary Education in a Changing Society	3 units
CHST 58	EC Language and Literacy Curriculum	3 units
CHST 59	EC Music and Movement Curriculum	3 units
CHST 60	Introduction to EC STEM Curriculum	3 units
CHST 67	EC Creative Arts Curriculum	3 units
CHST 70	Infant/Toddler Development & Care	3 units

Total Certificate Units: 21 units

Early Childhood Program Director Certificate of Achievement

After completing a certificate in Program Director, a student will be able to:

• Supervise a licensed early childhood program operated in a single site or multiple-sites by coordinating curriculum and staff development.

Required Core Classes (12 units)

Course Name	Course Title	Units
CHST 64	Supervision and Administration Part I	3 units
CHST 65	Supervision and Administration Part II	3 units
CHST 85	Adult Supervision in Early Childhood Programs	3 units
CHST 34A	Introduction to the Child with Special Needs	3 units
Total Certificate Units		12 units

Course Substitution and Waivers

Course substitution and waivers are approved by the department upon review of transcripts, course description, and evidence of proficiency in the subject matter.