A.S. in Child Development

The curriculum leads to an Associate in Science degree and meets the educational requirements for employment as a teacher or assistant teacher in preschools and children’s centers.

A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Child Development A.S. Degree will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and apply theories of early childhood education and child development.
  2. Demonstrate global consciousness as they work with diverse cultures, families, and individuals and teach children.
  3. Acquire knowledge and foundational skills necessary to work in the teaching profession.
  4. Apply effective guidance and teaching strategies that support social growth, learning, and identity development and promote self-confidence.
  5. Design, implement and evaluate environments and activities that support positive, developmental play and learning outcomes for children.
  6. Apply ethical standards and professional behaviors that demonstrate understanding, knowledge, and a deepening commitment to the child development profession and early childhood education.

This degree requires meeting the Citrus College General Education and proficiency requirements combined with successful completion (grades of “C” and above) of the following major requirements:

Three (3) units of Child Development
CHLD 110Early Childhood Development3
or PSY 206 Child Growth and Development
Required courses:
CHLD 112Principles of Early Childhood Education I3
CHLD 114Home-Child-Community Relations3
CHLD 116Introduction to Curriculum3
CHLD 144Health, Safety and Nutrition for Young Children3
CHLD 150Teaching in a Diverse Society 3
CHLD 154Observing and Recording Behavior3
Required practicum (fieldwork) course & lab:
CHLD 156Practicum in Early Childhood Education2
CHLD 156LPracticum Lab1
Total Units24

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
CHLD 112 Principles of Early Childhood Education I 3
CHLD 120 Literacy for Children 3
CHLD 110
Early Childhood Development
or Child Growth and Development
3
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
 Units13
Winter Term 1
MATH 165
Introductory Statistics
or Introductory Statistics - Honors
4
 Units4
Spring Term 1
CHLD 114 Home-Child-Community Relations 3
CHLD 116 Introduction to Curriculum 3
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or History of Rock and Roll
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
ENGL 103
Composition and Critical Thinking
or Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking
or Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors
or Philosophy/Logic
or Interpersonal Communication
or Interpersonal Communication - Honors
or Public Address
or Public Address - Honors
3
 Units12
Summer Term 1
HIST 107
History of the United States before 1877
or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors
or History of the United States since 1877
or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors
or History of the African-Americans to 1876
or History of the African-Americans since 1876
or History of Women in the United States
3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
CHLD 150 Teaching in a Diverse Society 3
CHLD 154 Observing and Recording Behavior 3
ANTH 212
212L
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
and Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab
4
ENGL 293
Children's Literature
or Children's Literature - Honors
3
 Units13
Winter Term 2
CHLD 164 The Child with Special Needs 3
 Units3
Spring Term 2
CHLD 156 Practicum in Early Childhood Education 2
CHLD 156L Practicum Lab 1
CHLD 144 Health, Safety and Nutrition for Young Children 3
CHLD 121 Art for Children 3
KIN 118
Meditation and Mindfulness
or American Food And Culture: Global Origins, History, and Current Impacts
or Fitness for Life
or Health and Wellness
or Health and Wellness - Honors
or Introduction to Nutrition
3
 Units12
 Total Units60

Note: Course selections may affect total unit value. 

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

 

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.