Wallace College - Child Development

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (CHD)
(Wallace Campus)

The Child Development programs are offered to prepare students for employment in the field of early care and education. The program is designed to provide students with skills and knowledge to work effectively with young children and families. Graduates may be employed as administrators in private preschool programs; as teachers in state prekindergarten programs, preschool programs, Head Start and Early Head Start programs; or as aides in public school systems. Students can pursue the program certificate or degree in one of two options or a short certificate. The Educarer Option focuses on developing competencies involved in the direct care of young children. The Administrator Option includes a general background in child development, business management, and childcare administration skills development. Both are designed to allow students to develop a broad base of competencies that will prepare them to guide experiences of children from birth through early childhood. The short certificate is designed to prepare students to enter the field of early care and education and to be an intermediate step for those working toward the program certificate or degree. Students completing Child Development core requirements, all courses in
a particular area of concentration, as well as CIS 146, ENG 101, MTH 116, and SPH 106, will be awarded a program certificate. Those who complete the Child Development core requirements, the general education core requirements, and all courses in a particular area of concentration will receive the associate in applied science degree. Admission is conditional and depends on the student’s ability to perform the essential functions identified for this program. Reasonable accommodations are considered.

CURRICULUM
General Education Core Requirements			Credit Hours
BIO	101	Introduction to Biology	4
BIO	103	Principles of Biology I	3
CIS	146	Microcomputer Applications	3
ENG	101	English Composition I	3
ENG	102	English Composition II	3
MTH	116	Mathematical Applications or higher	3
PSY	200	General Psychology	3
SPH	106	Fundamentals of Oral Communication	3
		Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
		Social Science Elective	3
		Total General Education Credit	28

Required Orientation Courses
ORI	101	Orientation to College	1
ORI	104	WorkKeys Assessment and Advisement	1
		Total Orientation Credits	2

Child Development Core Requirements
CHD	100	Introduction to Early Care and Education of Children	3
CHD	201	Child Growth and Development Principles	3
CHD	203	Children’s Literature and Language Development	3
CHD	204	Methods and Materials for Teaching Young Children	3
CHD	205	Program Planning for Educating Young Children	3
CHD	206	Children’s Health and Nutrition	3
CHD	210	Educating Exceptional Children	3
CHD	214	Families and Communities in Early Care and Education Programs	3
CHD	215	Supervised Practical Experience in Child Development	3
		Total Child Development Core Credits	27
		Total General Education, Orientation, and Child Development Core Credits	57

Administrator Concentration Requirements
CHD	208	Administration of Child Development Programs	3
BUS	186	Elements of Supervision	3
BUS	263	The Legal and Social Environment of Business	3
BUS	279	Small Business Management	3
		Total Administrator Credits	12
		Total Credits for Degree	69

Educarer Concentration Requirements
CHD	202	Children’s Creative Experiences	3
CHD	209	Infant and Toddler Education Programs or
		CHD 217 Math and Science for Young Children	3
CHD	220	Parenting Skills	3
		Total Educarer Credits	9
		Total Credits for Degree	66

Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) certification is required prior to participating in laboratory experiences at childcare centers. Students can take the course through the College by registering for EMS 100 concurrently with the initial registration in a Child Development (CHD) courses.



SHORT CERTIFICATE

Field of Concentration Courses
CHD	100	Introduction to Early Care and Education of Children	3
CHD	201	Child Growth and Development Principles	3
CHD	202	Children’s Creative Experiences	3
CHD	203	Children’s Literature and Language Development	3
CHD	204	Methods and Materials for Teaching Young Children or
		CHD 209 Infant and Toddler Education Programs	3
CHD	205	Program Planning for Educating Young Children	3
CHD	214	Families and Communities in Early Care and Education Programs	3
CHD	215	Supervised Practical Experience in Child Development	3
		Total Credits for Short Certificate	24

Students interested in meeting the educational component of the nationally recognized Child Development Credential in a formal educational setting may take the following courses. The credentialing exam and associated fees are administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition.

CHD	100	Introduction to Early Care and Education of Children	3
CHD	202	Children’s Creative Experiences or
		CHD 209 Infant and Toddler Education Programs	3
CHD	204	Methods and Materials for Teaching Children	3

Contact Information

Ms. Vasessa Dickens

Child Development Instructor

Email Ms. Dickens

334-983-3521x2352 - Dothan

Ms. Shatangi Ware

Child Development Contact

Email Ms. Ware

334-687-3543x4207 - Eufaula

Ms. Shannon Thomas

Coordinator of Academic Programs

Email Ms. Thomas

334-556-2269 or 334-983-3521x2269

Note:

ORI 101-Orientation to College is a prerequisite to the program certificate or degree for those who enter as first-time college students.

ORI 104-WorkKeys Assessment and Advisement is a prerequisite to program certificate or degree.