Child Development: Associate Teacher - Certificate
The Certificate of Achievement: Associate Teacher is an academic and vocational training program that prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood settings. The certificate is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce prepared with skills necessary to effectively work in the field.
Courses meet entry level requirements and/or meet the requirements needed to obtain a California Child Development Permit. The program is designed to prepare students with coursework as required by California licensing policies. Course completion with practicum experience can lead to a California Child Development Permit and employment.
Coursework may apply toward lower division preparation requirements for students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university. Please see a counselor for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will create and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum.
- Students will identify developmental milestones in the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical domains.
- Students will identify and explain the dominant theories and philosophies in early childhood education.
Meet the following requirements
- Complete all required certificate courses with a C (or P) or better.
- Complete at least 1/3 of the program courses at Mission College to establish residency.
NOTES:
- Requirements here apply to the current catalog year and are subject to change. Visit DegreeWorks in My Mission Portal to view requirements based your catalog year.
- Not all classes are offered each semester.
Core Curriculum Courses Required
| Code | Class | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHD 001 | Child Growth and Development (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
| CHD 002 | Child, Family, and Community (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
| CHD 008A | Practicum A (1.5 Lecture/2.0 Lab) | 3.5 |
| CHD 010 | Principles and Practices in Education (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
| CHD 015 | Observation and Assessment of Children (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
| CHD 017 | Child Health and Safety (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
| CHD 026 | Introduction to Curriculum (3.0 Lecture) | 3.0 |
Units Required
| Units | |
|---|---|
| Total Required Units | 21.5 |
Students may also be interested in English for Childcare (non credit).
Career/Transfer Opportunities
Completion of this certificate qualifies students to apply for the California Child Development Permit at the Associate Teacher level. Students completing the Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teaching can gain entry level positions as an assistant or associate teacher in private or publicly funded early childhood or afterschool programs.
On the job training fulfills the requirement to attain a lead teaching position. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university and wishing to pursue careers in human development, child psychology, social work, and secondary education should see a counselor to develop an education plan for further requirements.
For Child Development Permit Stipends and the Child Development Permit Matrix, visit https://www.childdevelopment.org/.