CHILD DEVELOPMENT/ Programs of Study This program welcomes students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Male students are encouraged to investigate career opportunities in Child Development. The Child Development Department offers several different options for the student interested in working with young children. All full-time Child Development instructors are available to advise students in all of the following areas: A. Child Development Department Specializations The specializations are designed to meet the minimum requirements of the Department of Social Services to teach in licensed private preschools and childcare programs. This is an entry-level career choice. The student is encouraged to pursue additional units in Child Development to advance in the field. Applications for the following Verifications of Completion must be made at the Health Occupations Division office anytime after the completion of courses. Associate Teacher Verification of Completion Preschool Director Verification of Completion Family Child Care Verification of Completion B. The Child Development Permit The permit is granted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and entitles the holder to teach in state and federally funded programs. This is an expanded career choice and has levels of advancement. The Department recommends that all Child Development students aspire to the Child Development permit. Application for the permit is made through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Assistant Teacher Associate Teacher Teacher Master Teacher Site Supervisor C. Certificates of Achievement This is a carefully planned course of classes that will meet requirements of the Department of Social Services and the Child Development permit as well as when combined with the required general studies classes will lead to an AA Degree in Child Development. This offers even greater career options. Application for the Certificate of Achievement must be made through the Cerritos College Office of Admissions and Records. Certificate of Achievement: Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate of Achievement: Child Development/Preschool Director Certificate of Achievement: Infant/Toddler Teacher Certificate of Achievement: Child Development/School-Age Child Care Certificate of Achievement: Child Development/Special Education Certificate of Achievement: Educational Paraprofessional D. AA Degree Child Development This option requires one of the Certificates of Achievement and the required general education courses at Cerritos College. (See college catalogue and counselor). This offers the best career options and prepares the student for transfer to a university. (Please note that classes with a number under
100 do not transfer.) Application for the AA degree must be made through the Cerritos College Office of Admissions and Records. DEPARTMENT SPECIALIZATIONS A1. ASSOCIATE TEACHER SPECIALIZATION AND VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION: (12 ) The following courses meet the minimum educational requirements under Title 22 (Department of Social Services) to qualify the student to teach in a state licensed preschool or childcare program. The student must have taken the courses within the last five years and must have attained a grade of C or higher in each course. In addition, to qualify for this verification, the student must complete three out of four courses at Cerritos College.* A2. PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR SPECIALIZATION AND VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION: (15 ) The following courses meet the minimum educational requirements under Title 22 (Department of Social Services) to qualify the student to be a director of a state licensed preschool or childcare program. The student must have attained a grade of C or higher in each course. In addition, to qualify for this verification, the student must complete three out of four courses at Cerritos College.* For employment, the Department of Social Services (DSS) will also require four years of teaching experience in a preschool or child care program if applicant has only the above minimum education requirements. These courses alone do not qualify at any level of the Child Development Permit from the California Commission of Teacher Credentials. CORE ADDITIONAL COURSE CDEC 66 Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Education Programs 3 A3. FAMILY CHILD CARE SPECIALIZATION AND VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION: (9 ) To qualify for this verification, the student must complete the three courses at Cerritos College. The student must have taken the courses within the last five years and must have attained a grade of C or higher in each course.* *TO QUALIFY FOR CREDIT FOR VERIFICATION OF COMPLETION OR THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT, NOT COMPLETED AT CERRITOS COLLEGE MUST BE COMPARABLE IN CONTENT,, AND GRANTED BY A COLLEGE
OR UNIVERSITY ACCREDITED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT The Child Development Department urges all students to apply for the permit as soon as they have completed six of the core units. After completing additional required units, students should apply for the next level. For additional information on the Child Development permit ask for the booklet issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing available in the Health Occupations Division office. B1. ASSISTANT THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT This level authorizes the instruction of children under the supervision of a teacher. (choose two from the following classes) B2. ASSOCIATE TEACHER THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT This authorizes instruction and supervision of an assistant. (MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE CORE ) B3. TEACHER - THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT The following courses meet the requirements for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that are required to teach in state and federally funded programs for young children or any privately funded program that also requires the Child Development permit. The student must also choose and complete an additional 12 units from the Certificate of Achievement in Child Development requirements to meet the required total of 24 units in Child Development. The student must also complete 16 units in general education in the areas stated: English/Language Arts, Math or Science, Social Sciences, Humanities and/or Fine Arts. Also note that for the Permit there is a required experience period. B4. MASTER TEACHER THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT Requires all that is stated above in Teacher description plus the following: AND
Six (6) units of specialization please see a full-time faculty member in Child Development for advisement. Also note a more extensive experience period is required. B5. SITE SUPERIVISOR THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT Requires an AA degree or 60 units, which must include the following courses. If the AA does not include the following courses then these courses must be taken in addition: Twelve additional Child Development units (choose from Certificate of Achievement Early Childhood list) CDEC 66 Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs 3 CDEC 67 Advanced Administration and Supervision of Childhood Programs 3 (offered in Spring semester only) Please note the required experience period. CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT C1. CHILD DEVELOPMENT/ In order to receive the Certificate of Achievement, all courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. NOTE: APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT MUST BE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS. CD 139 Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior 3 CDEC 164 Practicum Field Experience 3 Choose two of the following for a total of 6 units: CDEC 63 Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts and Social Science 3 CDEC 65 Music and Movement for Children 3 CDEC 133 Early Childhood Experiences in Math and Sciences 3 CDEC 173 Early Childhood Education Occupational Work Experience 3 CDEC 174 Early Childhood Education Occupational Work Experience (4) CDIT 151 Infant and Toddler Development 3
CDIT 152 Infant and Toddler Programs 3 CDSA 152 School- Age Child Care Supervision and Administration (offered Spring Semester only) 3 CDSA 155 School-Age Child Care Activities (offered Fall semester only) 3 CDSE 50 Survey of Special Education 3 CDSE 52 Special Education Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs 3 TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS 30/31 *CDEC 173 requires that you work or volunteer a minimum of 15 hours per week and CDEC 174 requires that you work or volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week in a program for young children. Work Experience classes may be taken more than one semester. C2. CHILD DEVELOPMENT/PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR NOTE: APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT MUST BE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS Students must complete the Certificate of Achievement requirements listed in Child Development/Early Childhood and the following courses: Certificate of Achievement in Child Development/Early Childhood 30/31 CDEC 66 Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Education Programs 3 CDEC 67 Advanced Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Education Programs 3 (offered in Spring semester only) TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS 39/40 C3. SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE The following courses meet the minimum educational requirements for the Department of Social Services for school-age child caregivers. The student must have attained a grade of C or higher in each course. CDEC 63 Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts and Social Sciences 3 CDSA 152 School-Age Child Care Supervision and Administration 3 (offered in Spring semester only) CDSA 155 School-Age Child Care Activities 3 (offered in Fall semester only) CDSA 259 School-Age Child Care Practicum 3 TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS 24 C4. INFANT/TODDLER TEACHER The following courses meet the minimum educational requirements for the Department of Social Services for infant/toddler caregivers. The student must have attained a grade of C or higher in each course.
CDIT 151 Infant and Toddler Development 3 CDIT 152 Infant and Toddler Programs 3 TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS 24 C5. CHILD DEVELOPMENT/SPECIAL EDUCATION NOTE: APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT MUST BE MADE AT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS CD 139 Observation, Assessment and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior 3 CDEC 133 Early Childhood Experiences in Math and Sciences 2 CDSE 50 Survey of Special Education 3 CDSE 52 Special Education Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs 3 *CDSE 73/74 Special Education Assistant Occupational Work Experience 3-4 PSYC 101 General Introductory Psychology 3 SL 101 Beginning American Sign Language 3 TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS 29/30 * CDSE 73 requires that you work or volunteer a minimum of 15 hours per week and CDSE 74 requires that you work or volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per week in a program for young children. Work Experience classes may be taken more than one semester. C6. EDUCATIONAL PARAPROFESSIONAL CD 139 Observation, Assessment and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior 3 CDIA 90 Introduction to Elementary and Secondary Classroom Experience 3 *CDIA 99 Instructional Aide Practicum 3 CDSE 50 Survey of Special Education 3 CDSE 52 Special Education Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs 3 EDT 52 Windows for Educators 1 EDT 110 Introduction to Educational Technology 2 TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS: 30 CIDA 99 requires of the student 6 hours per week in a school environment, normally during daytime hours.
*If currently employed as an Educational Paraprofessional, enroll in CDIA 73, CDIA 74, CDSE 73 or CDSE 74. ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: Meet the requirements for a Certificate of Achievement. Plus, for an AA Degree a student must complete general education requirements to achieve a minimum of 60 units.