Child Development-Education Option

Associate in Applied Science Degree - CDEV.AAS.C10

The education option in the Child Development associate degree program is designed to provide individuals with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to assume various roles and responsibilities in the child care profession. The student, depending on individual interests and career objectives, may pursue a wide variety of options including child care, teaching, program administration, nanny training, family day care home management, Child Development Associate (CDA) training, infant/toddler care, school-aged care, and assistant in a child care or public/private school setting. Students must be at least 19 years of age upon completion of the program to be qualified as a child care worker and 21 years of age to be a child care center director, according to Department of Children and Family Services regulations. (See other program requirements on this page.) KCC also offers a Paraprofessional Educator/Teacher's Aide program. See Page 103. Students should see the Child Development program coordinator to determine which program best suits their needs. This degree typically is not designed for transfer.

Child Development Major (14 courses)
Credit hours: 40

Complete both subrequirements:

1. Child development courses - 39 credit hours

• CDEV 1013 - Child Growth and Development
• * CDEV 2033 - Instructional Methods of Early Childhood Education
• * CDEV 2113 - Child, Family & Community Relations
• * CDEV 2123 - Child Study & Observation
• * CDEV 2163 - Discipline/Classroom Management
• * CDEV 2013 - History and Philosophy of Early Childhood Education
• * CDEV 2223 - Art/Music Activities
• * CDEV 2233 - Language Acquisition and Development
• * CDEV 2253 - Motor Development/Physical Activities
• * CDEV 2133 - Health, Nutrition and Safety
• * CDEV 2143 - Survey of Exceptional Children
• * CDEV 2243 - Science/Math Activities
• * CDEV 2403 - Clinical Experience

2. Computer course - 1 credit hour

• COMP 1521 - Computer Literacy

Child development electives (2 courses)
Credit hours: 6

Choose two courses from the following four options:

• * CDEV 2103 - School-Aged Programming
• * CDEV 2153 - Developmentally Appropriate Infant/Toddler Care
• CDEV 2263 - Heads Up! Reading
• * CDEV 2363 - Administration in Child Care Settings

General Education (5 courses)
Credit hours: 15

Complete both subrequirements:

1. Communications - 9 credit hours

• * SPCH 1553 - Introductory Speech

In addition, choose two courses from the following five options:

• * ENGL 1053 - Communications I
• * ENGL 1413 - Fundamentals of Writing
• * ENGL 1613 - English I
• * ENGL 1623 - English II
• BSNS 1603 - Business Communications

2. Psychology - 6 credit hours

• PSYC 1013 - Practical Psychology or *PSYC 1813 - Introduction to Psychology

In addition, choose one course with a PSYC prefix.

Humanities, social and behavioral science,
science, or mathematics elective (1 course)
3 credit hours

Choose one humanities, social and behavioral science, science, or mathematics elective
(see Pages 58-59).

Minimum credit hours required for completion - 64

*Course has prerequisite.

Child Development-Education Option
Associate in Applied Science Degree

Suggested course sequence

Child Development
program requirements

Basic laboratory experience is required in many child development courses within the program. Specific tasks performed in the lab setting will vary according to skills, interests, and course requirements. Prior to initiating lab assignments and projects, Child Development students must meet the requirements for staff in child care facilities as outlined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Care Facility Regulations: (1) must have a high school diploma or its equivalent; (2) must be able to pass a DCFS criminal background check; (3) must have a completed health form; and (4) must have a signed mandated reporter form on file. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all program requirements are current and on file with the program coordinator.

Advanced Certificate in Child Development-Education Option - CDEV.CRT.C58

The certificate program for the education option in Child Development is designed to provide students with practical skills necessary for entry into the field of caring for young children. Students completing the program will be prepared to assist teachers in child care settings. Students must be at least 19 years of age with one year (1,560 clock hours) in a licensed day care facility upon program completion to be qualified as a child care worker, according to Department of Children and Family Services regulations.

Child Development-Education Option Certificate Major (9 courses)
Credit hours: 27

Complete both subrequirements:

1. Child Development courses - 24 credit hours

• CDEV 1013 - Child Growth & Development
• * CDEV 2033 - Instructional Methods of Early Childhood Education
• * CDEV 2113 - Child, Family, and Community Relations
• * CDEV 2123 - Child Study & Observation
• * CDEV 2133 - Health, Nutrition & Safety
• * CDEV 2163 - Discipline/Classroom Management
• * CDEV 2233 - Language Acquisition & Development
• * CDEV 2253 - Motor Development/Physical Activities

2. Elective - 3 credit hours

CHOOSE ONE course from the following seven options:

• CDEV 2013 - History & Philosophy of Early Childhood Education
• * CDEV 2103 - School-Aged Programming
• * CDEV 2153 - Developmentally Appropriate Infant/Toddler Care
• * CDEV 2223 - Art/Music Activities
• * CDEV 2243 - Science/Math Activities
• CDEV 2263 - Heads Up! Reading
• * CDEV 2363 - Administration in Child Care Settings

General Education (2 courses)
Credit hours: 6

• ENGL 1053 - Communications I1 *or SPCH 1553 - Introductory Speech
• PSYC 1013 - Practical Psychology or *PSYC 1813 - Introduction to Psychology

Minimum credit hours required for completion - 33

*Course has prerequisite.

Child Development-Education Option
Advanced Certificate

Suggested course sequence