Child Development - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Play an Important Role in Educating & Helping Children Flourish
It has often been said that “it takes a village to raise a child”. If you have a passion to work with young children and an interest in improving the quality of their education and care the Child Development Program at Alvin Community College may be a good fit for you.
In our program, you will be prepared for careers in childcare centers, pre-school programs and other related occupations. Courses explore contemporary concerns and focus on the appropriate development and ethical standards in childcare.
ACC offers three options to help you get started in childcare:
- An Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development can be completed in two years,
- A Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate can be completed in three semesters, and
- A Child Development/ Early Childhood Administration Certificate, which can be completed in just two semesters.
Career Opportunities
Child Development graduates have the opportunity to work as childcare providers, registered home childcare providers, childcare directors and other related child/youth careers.
Childcare workers are typically responsible for:
- Supervising and monitoring the safety of children in their care
- Preparing meals and organizing mealtimes and snacks for children
- Helping children keep good hygiene
- Changing the diapers of infants and toddlers
- Organizing activities or implementing a curriculum that allow children to learn about the world and explore interests
- Developing schedules and routines to ensure that children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime
- Watching for signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring the problems to the attention of parents
- Keeping records of children’s progress, routines, and interest
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of childcare workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. For more information on career opportunities in Child Development, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development is intended to provide you with the first two years of general requirements and a foundation in Child Development that will prepare you to transfer to a 4-year university. The Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate is designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills necessary for entry into the field of early education and care. The Child Development/ Early Childhood Administration Certificate is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and credentials required to become a director of a child care facility.
You will take courses in topics such as:
- Educating the Young Child
- Wellness of the Young Child
- Child Guidance
- Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood
- Math & Science for Early Childhood
- and more!
Curriculum Guide – Child Development, A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester
- CDEC 1311 - Educating Young Children 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 1318 - Wellness of the Young Child 3 Course Credits
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
- Government/Political Science 3 Course Credits + or
- American History 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 1356 - Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood 3 Course Credits
- Creative Arts 3 Course Credits +
- TECA 1303 - Family, School and Community 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester
- American History 3 Course Credits + or
- Government/Political Science 3 Course Credits +
- CDEC 1384 - Cooperative Ed in Child Development I 3 Course Credits **
Semester Credits: 6
Second Year
First Semester
- CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs 3 Course Credits
- CDEC/TECA Elective - Select from CDEC or TECA electives 3 Course Credits
- Elective - Select from BUSI, BMGT, BUSG, ACNT, HRPO 3 Course Credits
- Life and Physical Sciences 3 Course Credits + or
- Mathematics 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- CDEC 2307 - Math and Science for Early Childhood 3 Course Credits
- CDEC/TECA Electives - Select from CDEC or TECA electives. 3 Course Credits
- Language, Philosophy and Culture 3 Course Credits +
- SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Course Credits +
- TECA 1354 - Child Growth and Development 3 Course Credits *
Semester Credits: 6
Total Minimum Credits Required for a Child Development Degree: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval
First Semester
- CDEC 1311 - Educating Young Children 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 1318 - Wellness of the Young Child 3 Course Credits
- Elective - Select from CDEC courses 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester
- CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 1356 - Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 2307 - Math and Science for Early Childhood 3 Course Credits
- Elective - Select from CDEC courses 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester
- CDEC 1384 - Cooperative Ed in Child Development I 3 Course Credits * **
- Elective - Select from CDEC courses 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 6
Total Credits Required for Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate: 30
* Capstone Course
** Requires Department Chair approval
First Semester
- CDEC 2426 - Administration of Programs Children I1 4 Course Credits
- Elective - Select from CDEC 6 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Second Semester
- CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance 3 Course Credits
- CDEC 2428 - Administration of Programs Children II2 4 Course Credits *
- Elective - Select from: BMGT, BUSG, or ACNT Courses 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 10
Total Credits Required for Certificate of Child Development/Early Childhood Administration: 20
* Capstone Course
Approximate costs for the Child Development A.A.S. Degree program including tuition and fees are $4,200 for in-district students, $6,960 for students out-of-district, and $9,840 for non-residents. Additional fees for books and supplies are approximately $1500.
Yearly costs for the Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate program including tuition and fees are approximately $2,200 for in-district students, $3,500 for students out-of-district, and $5,000 for non-residents. Additional fees for books and supplies are approximately $800.
Approximate costs for the Child Development/Early Childhood Administration Certificate program including tuition and fees are $1400 for in-district students, $2400 for students out-of-district, and $3,300 for non-residents. Additional fees for books and supplies are approximately $400.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Child Development is part of our Education Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other Education programs that may interest you.