Child Development

AA Child Development

The Child Development Program is an academic and vocational training program that
prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood
settings. Courses and certificates are designed to meet entry-level requirements for
the level of work chosen and/or meet the requirements needed to obtain a California
Child Development Permit to become an Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, Teacher,
Master Teacher and/or Site Supervisor in state-licensed, publicly funded, center-based
child care and development programs. Students planning to transfer to a four-year
university as a child development or related major may be able to apply some child
development units toward the lower division major preparation requirements or qualify
for the AS-T in Early Childhood Education. Please see a Foothill counselor for more
information.

Learn more about the program on the Child Development and Education website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers Associate Degrees for Transfer. Learn more and review the
degree requirements on the following listings: Child and Adolescent Development AA-T,
Early Childhood Education AS-T and Elementary Teacher Education AA-T.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and characteristics
of children from birth through middle childhood, and the multiple influences on their
development as related to the high-quality care and education of young children.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards and professional
behaviors that deepen knowledge and commitment to the field of early care and education
as related to National Association for the education of young children Code of ethical
Conduct.

Career Opportunities

The Child Development program is an academic and vocational training program which
prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood
settings. Coursework and certificates meet professional requirements for work in early
childhood programs. Students wishing to pursue careers in related fields such as human
development, child psychology, social work, and primary education should see a counselor
to determine the transfer requirements of specific four-year universities.

Units Required

Major: 49

A minimum of 90 units is required to include:

Completion of one of the following general eduation patterns:
- Foothill General Education
- CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or
- the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
Core courses (43 units)
Support courses (6 units)
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement
for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition,
a grade of “C” or better is required for all core and support courses used for the
degree or certificates. Coursework that applies to permits or licenses must be completed
with a grade of “C” or better.

Associate Degree Requirements

ONLINE COURSE
TITLE
UNITS

English Proficiency: Select one of the following

ENGL 1A
Composition & Reading
5

ENGL 1AH
Honors

Composition & Reading

ENGL 1S
Integrated

Composition & Reading

and ENGL 1T

and Integrated

Composition & Reading

ESLL 26
Advanced Composition & Reading
5

or equivalent

Mathematics Proficiency:

College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

Core Courses (43 units)

ONLINE COURSE
TITLE
UNITS

CHLD 1
Child Growth & Development: Prenatal through Early Childhood
4

CHLD 2
Child Growth & Development II: Middle Childhood through Adolescence
4

CHLD 8
Child, Family & Community
4

CHLD 51A
Affirming Diversity & Assesment
4

CHLD 56
Observation & Assessment
4

CHLD 56N
Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children
4

CHLD 86A
Mentoring the Early Care & Eductation Professional
4

CHLD 86B
Practicum Student Teaching in an Early Childhood Program
5

CHLD 88B
Positive Behavior Management
2

CHLD 89
Curriculum for Early Care & Education Programs
4

CHLD 95
Health, Safety & Nutrition in Children’s Programs
4

Support Courses (6 units)

Select at least Six units from the following:

ONLINE COURSE
TITLE
UNITS

ANTH 2A
Cultural Anthropology
4

or ANTH 2AH

Honors Cultural Anthropology
4

CHLD 50D

Infant & Toddler Development & Care
5

CHLD 53NC
Curriculum for Early Care & Education Programs
3

CHLD 53NP
Development of Children with Special Needs
3

CHLD 54A
Developing a Healthy Organizational Climate in Education
1

CHLD 54B
The Right Fit: Recruiting, Selecting & Orienting Staff
1

CHLD 54C
Leadership in Action: How Effective Directors Get Things Done
1

CHLD 54D
From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection & Self-Awareness
1

CHLD 59
Working with School-Age Children
4

CHLD 63N
Artistic & Creative Development
3

CHLD 71
Planning Creative Art Activities for Children
1

CHLD 72
Language, Literacy & the Developing Child
3

CHLD 73
Music & Movement in the Early Years
2

CHLD 74
Science & Nature
1

CHLD 80A
Communication & Self-Reflection Practices for Nannies
2

CHLD 80B
Curriculum in the Home
2

CHLD 80C
Safety & Nutrition of Young Children in the Home
1

CHLD 82
Planning Creative Dramatics
1

CHLD 90B
Administration & Supervision of Children’s Programs Part I
4

CHLD 90C

Administration & Supervision of Children’s Programs Part II

CHLD 91

Administration & Supervision: Adult Supervision & Leadership

ENGL 8
Children’s Literature
4

PSYC 14
Child & Adolescent Development
4

SOC 40

Aspects of Marriage & Family
4

Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.

For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit Child Development 2022-2023 Degrees & Certificates.

Based on the 2022 – 2023 degree program.