Childhood Education

Associate in Arts Degree, Certificates of Achievement, and Child Development Permit Information

El Camino College Childhood Education Major Requirements
Certificates of Achievement
Child Development Permits

The degree and the certificates in childhood education prepare students for careers in private or public programs serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs, or children in before and after school care. The transfer degree option prepares students to continue studies at a four-year institution. Students will acquire the ability to apply developmental theories in observing and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains and will develop skills needed for working effectively with families, co-workers, and community agencies. Students will also gain the ability to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum. Program assessment will be conducted regularly through examinations, presentations, student self-assessment, portfolios, and tracking student employment and promotion in the teaching field.

Childhood Education Major

A minimum of 15 units of the major requirements must be completed at El Camino College.
Concentration Courses
-CDEV 103
-CDEV 104
-CDEV 112
-CDEV 114
-CDEV 150 or 152
Two Courses From:
-CDEV 116 Creative Art for Young Children
-CDEV 117 Music and Movement for Young Children
-CDEV 118 Math and Science for Young Children
-CDEV 119 Language Arts for Young Children
Elective Courses
-Complete 8-9 units from Child Development 105, 107, 108, 110, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 125, 126, 129, 130, 136, 150, 152, 154, 160, 163, 166, -169, 170A, 170B 
-Nutrition and Foods 15
Total Units: 29-30

Note: Proof of a valid Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification may be required for employment. This requirement may be met by successfully completing Child Development 111.

General Education Courses
Please see a counselor for the acceptable courses.

California State University, Dominguez Hills
Liberal Studies:  Early Teaching and Learning Option

Child Development Concentration Courses (18 units)
Concentration Courses (12 units):
-Child Development 104  The Home, the School, and the Community
-Child Development 112  Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms
-Child Development 114  Observing and Guiding Children
-Child Development 150  Survery of Children with Special Needs or
 Child Development 152  Disabilities in the Developing Child 
Two Courses From:
-Child Development 116  Creative Art for Young Children
-Child Development 117  Music and Movement for Young Children
-Child Development 118  Math and Science for Young Children
-Child Development 119  Language Arts for Young Children

General Education and Major Preparation Courses (44 units)
-Art 1 or Theatre 1
-Dance 1 or Music 11
-Child Development 103
-Biology 10
-Geography 5
-English 1C
-English 27
-Math 110
-History 101
-History 140
(These courses double count for General Education and Major Preparation.)

-Astronomy 20 or Astronomy 25 or Geology 1 or Geology 2 or Physics 11
-Communication Studies 1
-English 1A
-Political Science 1 

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Certificates of Achievement

Early Childhood Education Option
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 12 units must be completed at El Camino College.
• Child Development 103, 104, 108, 112, 114
• One course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119
• Total Units: 18

Early Intervention Assistant Option (pending approval by the California Community Colleges System Office)
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 15 units, including Child Development 169, must be completed at El Camino College.
• Child Development 103, 104, 107, 110, 111, 150, 152, 169 
• Three units from: Child Development 116, 117, 119
• Three units from: Child Development 114, 154, 160, 163, 166
• Total Units: 28

Special Education Assistant Option
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 15 units of the certificate requirements, including Child Development 152 and 154, must be completed at El Camino College. 
• Child Development 103, 104, 111, 150, 152, 154, 169 
• One course from Child Development 110 or Nursing 112 
• One course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119 
• Six units from: Child Development 107, 108, 114, 122, 123, 163, 166, 170A, 170B, Nursing 118, Nutrition and Foods 15, Sign Language/Interpreter Training 15
• Total Units: 31

For information regarding the School Health Clerk Certificate of Achievement, please refer to page 222 of this Catalog.

The State Department of Social Services will qualify a person as a preschool teacher if the student has at least 12 units in Early Childhood Education.
These units must include Child Development 103, 104 and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, or 119.
Preschool directors must complete 3 additional units in Program Administration (Child Development 29 or 30).

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Child Development Permits

The California State Department of Education Child Development Permits:
The Child Development Permit qualifies the holder to teach in publicly funded early childhood education programs such as Head Start and State Preschool.

All Child Development Permits are renewable after 5 years by completing 105 hours of professional growth activities. This may include college courses, staff development activities and/or conference and workshop attendance.

A minimum grade of C is required in all Child Development courses applied toward the Child Development Permit.

Some Child Development Permits require 16 general education units. Recommended courses for this requirement are: Biology 10; English 1A, 27; Psychology 5 or Sociology 101 or Anthropology 2.

The following Child Development Permits are issued:

1. Assistant
2. Associate Teacher
3. Teacher
4. Master Teacher
5. Site Supervisor
6. Program Director

For further information, place contact a counselor or the Seeds Permit Specialist at 310-660-3593 ext. 3755 or email at seeds@elcamino.edu.

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Preparation for the Transfer Major

For information on specific university major requirements, please obtain a transfer curriculum guide sheet in the Counseling Services Center, consult with your counselor, or visit the Transfer Center. You may use the transfer major requirements to help you fulfill your associate degree requirements.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

2009-2010 On-time Completion Rates and Estimated Cost of Program (Early Childhood Education)

2009-2010 On-time Completion Rates and Estimated Cost of Program (Early Intervention Assistant)

2009-2010 On-time Completion Rates and Estimated Cost of Program (Special Education Assistant)

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