Wallace College - Child Development

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (CHD)
(Wallace and Sparks Campuses)

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 pre-kindergarten 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 100, 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 or BIO 103 Principles of Biology I	4
CIS 146 Microcomputer Applications	3
ENG 101 English Composition I	3
ENG 102 English Composition II	3
MTH 100 Intermediate College Algebra	3
PSY 200 General Psychology	3
SPH 106 Fundamentals of Oral Communications	3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
History/Social Science/Behavioral Science Elective	3
Total General Education Credit	28

Required Orientation Courses
ORI 101 Orientation to College	1
ORI 104 Work Keys Assessment and Advisement	1
Total Orientation Hours	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 Education Young Children	3
CHD 206 Children's Health, Safety, and Nutrition	3
CHD 210 Exceptional Young Children	3
CHD 214 Families and Communities in Early Care And Education	3
CHD 215 Supervised Practical Experience	3
Total Child Development Core Credits	27
Total General Education and Child Development Core Credits	57

Note:

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

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

CURRICULUM
Educarer Concentration Requirements	Credit Hours
CHD 202 Children's Creative Experiences	3
CHD 207 Observing and Recording Behaviors of Young Children	3
CHD 209 Infant and Toddler Education Programs or CHD 220 Parenting Skills	3
CHD 229 Competent Infant and Toddler Care	3
Total Educarer Credits	12
Total Credits for Degree	69

CURRICULUM
Administrator Concentration Requirements	Credit Hours
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

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

General Education Core Requirements	Credit Hours
ENG 101 English Composition I	3
PSY 200 General Psychology	3

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	3
CHD 205 Program Planning for Educating Young Children	3
CHD 215 Supervised Practical Experience	3
Total Credits for Short Certificate	27

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.

Field of Concentration Courses	Credit Hours
CHD 100 Introduction to Early Care and Education of Children	3
CHD 202 Children's Creative Experiences or CHD 229 Competent Infant and Toddler Care	3
CHD 204 Methods and Materials for Teaching Children	3