What can I do with this?
We are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. This provides a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. This AS-T degree guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. More information on the Degree with a Guarantee Program.
The Early Childhood Education Degree for Transfer
- Guarantees acceptance to the CSU system
- Prepares students for careers in Child Development and Early Childhood Education
- Prepares students for transfer to child development, elementary education, and education programs
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.
Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
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.
- To integrate understandings of children's development and needs to maintain healthy, safe, supportive, and challenging learning environments that demonstrate culturally relevant, inclusive, age-appropriate, and anti-bias approaches respectful of children, families, and early learning professionals.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
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.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course introduces the laws, regulations, standards, policies, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in early childhood settings. Topics covered include nutrition, meal planning for various ages, and strategies to include educational experiences in children’s daily routines to teach positive health, safety, and nutrition habits. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. Approved for Local GE Area 7.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course examines the impact of various societal influences on the development of children’s social identity, covering developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and anti-bias approaches. Self-examination and reflection on issues related to social identity, stereotypes, and bias are emphasized. Students are required to observe children and/or environments where children are in a group setting. Approved for Local GE Area 6.
Advisory: CHDV C102, CHDV C104, CHDV C106, CHDV C125, ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course focuses on the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children’s development and learning. This course emphasizes the use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools are explored, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
Prerequisite: CHDV C100, CHDV C102, CHDV C104, CHDV C106, CHDV C121, CHDV C125, CHDV C200.
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. In this course, students demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood teaching competencies under guided supervision. Students utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Reflective practice is emphasized as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning. Students work in a supervised field experience and are required to perform at least 54 hours of practicum work under the direct supervision of a Master Teacher (or someone who would qualify as a Master Teacher) in an instructor-approved infant/toddler or preschool program. School-age program placement is restricted to before- and after-school programs or kindergarten. Participation in a placement setting requires proof of tuberculosis (TB) and immunization clearance.
Complete one of the following general education patterns:
Students desiring transfer to the California State University system may conform to either (1) the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or (2) CSU General Education Certification.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
IGETC is a series of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
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.
Official Catalog Copy
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online
Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
60.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters
Non-residents
60.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $19,740 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $23,340 for 4 semesters
*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.
