The OCC Career Advantage Child Development and Education programs offer the training and experience you need to launch your career as an educator of young children within preschool programs or to move into an administrative role in an early care and education program serving children aged 5 and younger. The Child Development and Education department offers several Pathways for students to discover interests in working with infants and toddlers, preschool-age, early elementary, or working with children with special needs. If you picture yourself as someone with a mission to help children learn, grow and thrive, read on to learn how OCC can help you get there.
A sampling of courses for these careers
- Creativity for Children
- Teaching in a Diverse Society
- Child Abuse I.D. and Referral
- Inclusion of Children with Disabilities
- Current Issues in Early Childhood
- Family, School, and Community Partnerships
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Complete one of our certificate programs, and you’ll be well-prepared to enter a career in early childhood education, and earn an associate degree for even greater advancement opportunities.
- IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS EARN: CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
- OR EARN YOUR ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN UNDER 4 YEARS
View all program details in the course catalog
Child Development Administration Specialization
Prepares the student to act in a leadership and administrative capacity in an early childhood program. Learn skills in providing for budget design and fiscal management, marketing, creating personnel policies and procedures, leadership skills, developing a staff in-service plan, and designing a comprehensive educational philosophy. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the Site Supervisor level.
Child Development Assistant Teacher
Prepares students to work as an Assistant Teacher or Teacher Aide in an early care and education program. Learn strong theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years and gain hands-on experience in a preschool classroom. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level.
Child Development Associate Teacher
Prepares students to work as Associate Teachers or Co-Teacher in an early care and learning program. Learn to identify stages of development, prepare a developmentally appropriate curriculum, facilitate children’s learning in all domains of development, and support social skills. Gain hands-on experience in a preschool classroom where they can develop effective teaching and interaction skills. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements, Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level, and 24 units of CDE required for Transitional Kindergarten teachers.
Child Development Core
Prepares students to develop the skills necessary to work as associate teachers of preschool children in early childhood settings. Learn theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the associate teacher level.
Child Development Curriculum Specialization
Prepares students to design and implement emergent curriculum for children: from birth – 8 years. Learn the theoretical foundation for planning developmentally and culturally relevant curriculum which meets the needs of a diverse population. Satisfies the specialization unit requirement for the Child Development Permit at the Master Teacher level.
Child Development Lead Teacher
Prepares students to work as a Lead Teacher in early care and education programs serving children: from birth-5 years and to supervise a Teacher, Associate Teacher, or Assistant. Learn to develop a curriculum, use authentic assessment measures, manage classroom environments, and work collaboratively with colleagues and families to support children’s learning. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the Master Teacher level.
Elementary Education Specialization
Prepare to work with K-12 children in a before and after school care program, or mentoring program. Includes the developmental stages of the school-age child, working with diverse populations, and an introduction to the profession of teaching.
Infant and Toddler Specialization
Provide a specialized focus on the unique strengths and needs of infants and toddlers. Study the developmental stages from birth to age 3 and understand the importance of relationship-based care.
Working with Exceptional Children Specialization
Prepare to work with children with special needs in early childhood and inclusive settings including strategies for inclusion, recognizing atypical development and special populations and their needs, adapting curriculum, and empowering educators to support families.
View all program details in the course catalog
Child Development Associate Teacher
This degree prepares students to work as an Associate Teacher or Co-Teacher in an early care and learning program. Learn skills to identify stages of development, prepare a developmentally appropriate curriculum, facilitate children’s learning in all domains of development, and support social skills. Gain hands-on experience in a preschool classroom where they can develop effective teaching and interaction skills. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements, Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level, and 24 units of CDE required for Transitional Kindergarten teachers.
Child Development Lead Teacher
Provides students with the knowledge, competencies, and practical experiences that promote the comprehensive development of young children ages 3 to 5 years old. Focus on understanding developmentally appropriate practice, effective learning strategies, and how to create and implement a high-quality classroom for young children. The practicum component of the program will support the student as they transfer theoretical knowledge of learning to work with young children in early care and education programs. This degree includes 34 units of emphasis. This degree aligns with the 24 units required for a Master Teacher level Child Development Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The degree meets Title 22 licensing requirements for employment in early care and education programs.
Early Childhood Education AS-T
Earn an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer Degree to be well-positioned to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major within the California State University system. Students who complete the Early Childhood Education AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.
Elementary Teacher Education AA-T
Earn an Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer Degree to be well-positioned to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major within the California State University system. Students who complete the Elementary Teacher Education AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Did you know?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who have a certificate as
their highest level of education earned, on average, 20 percent more than
those whose highest education level is a high school diploma.
