Program Description

The Child Development Program deepens the student's understanding of children, their families, and developmentally appropriate practices, while preparing students for careers in early childhood education. In addition to ensuring preferential transfer status to CSUs for Early Childhood Education majors and majors in related disciplines, the program offers a strong foundation in child development that allows students to immediately take classroom and lab learning into the workplace to create quality developmentally appropriate learning environments.

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer to California State Universities (CSUs). Students who complete the Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree will be ensured preferential transfer status to CSUs for Early Childhood Education majors and majors in related disciplines. The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree requirements will fulfill the lower division major requirements at many CSUs. Students are advised, however, to meet with a counselor to assess the course requirements for specific CSUs.

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

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will be able to demonstrate 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.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate 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.

Units Required

• Major: 37

Associate Degree Requirements

Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer requires completion of a minimum of 90 units, including:

• Core courses for the major (37 units)¹
• California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)² (45 units) (full certification is required)
• Transferable electives necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement

¹

Some units from the core courses may be used to satisfy the GE requirement. Please see a counselor for more information.

²

Cal-GETC began in Fall Quarter 2025. Students with catalog rights for Summer Session 2025 and previous catalog years may be able to use IGETC or CSU GE Breadth. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Core and Support Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
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 IN EDUCATION	4
CHLD 56	OBSERVATION & ASSESSMENT	4
CHLD 56N	PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES OF TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN	4
CHLD 86B	PRACTICUM STUDENT TEACHING IN AN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM	5
CHLD 89	CURRICULUM FOR EARLY CARE & EDUCATION PROGRAMS	4
CHLD 95	HEALTH, SAFETY & NUTRITION IN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS	4
Total Units		37