What can I do with this?
The Child Development Associate Teacher Certificate
- Provides students with the minimal level of education to work with children in a group setting.
- Includes required classes in the core areas (development; child, family, and community; curriculum).
- Allows students to qualify for Assistant Teacher and Associate Teacher* permits.
*Associate Teacher Permit: Associate Teacher Certificate of Proficiency requirements plus experience requirement of 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2 years.
You can use this to:
- Enhance career opportunities as:
- Child Care Center Assistant Teacher
- Child Care Center Associate Teacher
- Elementary School Classroom Assistant
- Preschool Teacher
- Child Care Worker
All professionals working with children are required to have a clean criminal record, to demonstrate freedom from tuberculosis (TB), and to demonstrate the physical ability to perform all of the duties of a professional position working directly with children.
Early-childhood education "improves children's cognitive abilities, helps to create a foundation for lifelong learning, makes learning outcomes more equitable, reduces poverty and improves social mobility from generation to generation.
(OECD, 2012)
What will I learn?
- To examine teaching and care practices that provide a developmentally appropriate program to support children's growth, development, and learning.
- To identify one's own values, experiences, and philosophies and how they guide and inform practices.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
Thank you so much for all your productive feedback, prompt grading, and for caring about all of your students and the children who will benefit from them. It has been a pleasure for me to be part of this class...
—Online Student
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
The requirements for this program are complex. You MUST meet with a Child Development faculty member AND a counselor.
Complete all of the following courses:
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course provides an historical context and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practices in early care and education. The course examines the role of the early childhood educator as well as the best practices for environmental design, curriculum, and teaching strategies. Topics include teacher-child relationships, professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course explores developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for young children. Teaching strategies and curriculum development based on theoretical frameworks, observation, and assessment will be explored. Emphasis is on the teacher’s role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum, including all developmental domains and content areas. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course is an examination of the developing child in a societal context focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community and emphasizes historical and socio-cultural factors. The processes of socialization and identity development is highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. Approved for IGETC Area 4G, CSU GE Area D7, Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This introductory course examines the major physical, cognitive, social, and emotional developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. Students observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. Approved for IGETC Area 4G, CSU GE Area D7 or E, Local GE Area 2.
Permit
STATE OF CALIFORNIA CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing grants permits in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix. Applications are separate from Cerro Coso Community College and must be submitted to California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Contact any Child Development faculty member or visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ for more information regarding the Permit Matrix and Professional Growth Advisors. For all Permits, all course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Associate Teacher Permit: Associate Teacher Certificate of Proficiency requirements plus experience requirement of 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2 years.
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: CC Online
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This certificate requires 12.0 units and will likely take 1 semester.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
12.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $552 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $720* for books and supplies
Total cost $1,272 for 1 semester
Non-residents
12.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $3,948 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $720* for books and supplies
Total cost $4,668 for 1 semester
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
