Child Development

Knowing you play a role in shaping a child’s imagination and education is priceless. That’s why Oklahoma City Community College offers four programs for students who are interested in pursuing careers in child development.

You can earn an associate degree in arts in child development, an associate degree in applied science in child development, a certificate of mastery in child development, or a child development associate (CDA). Consult a faculty advisor to find out which program is best for you.

The child development program at Oklahoma City Community College earned the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation in 2009. Associate degree program accreditation recognizes excellence in preparing early childhood educators.

Start today! Complete an OCCC online admissions application.

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Child development is a growing field where practitioners are responsible for far more than keeping an eye on children in an away-from-home facility.

This program focuses on theories and techniques for helping children grow physically, intellectually and emotionally. As a student in the child development program, you will be responsible for providing the best possible environment for encouraging young children to reach their full potential.

Do you wonder if this is the program for you? It absolutely is if you:

• Like challenges
• Respect children
• Appreciate diversity
• Enjoy working with children’s families

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Child Development Degrees at Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City Community College offers students four programs in child development:

• An associate degree in arts in child development . This is the best program for you if you’re planning to transfer your degree to a four-year college or university. Students who transfer can work toward degrees in child development and family studies, child development and early childhood education.

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university and major in early childhood education, be sure to consult with a faculty advisor before enrolling.

• An associate degree in applied science in child development. This program is for students who want to work immediately after graduation. Students with this degree are prepared to work in early childhood programs in a variety of positions.

• An associate degree in applied science in child development with an administrator option. This program will prepare you to work as a program director or administrator in a child development setting.

• A certificate of mastery in child development. This 18-hour program prepares individuals for entry-level jobs as teacher assistants in early childhood programs. In fact, this program exceeds the training requirements for the national competency-based Child Development Associate credential – which means you would have an advantage when first applying for jobs at childcare centers, hospitals, children’s museums and more.
• An associate degree in applied science in child development with an administrator option. This program will prepare you to work as a program director or administrator in a child development setting.

Through an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma City Community College has agreed to participate in providing courses for working child care providers. Visit the Scholar’s for Excellence website for more information.

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Child Development Classes at Oklahoma City Community College

At OCCC, our child development professors are looking for students who are objective, dependable and get along well with others. In your classes, you’ll study topics such as:

• The Child Development Professional
• Introduction to Child Development
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• Integrated Curriculum Development I and II
• Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Child and Family in Society
• Behavior and Guidance of Young Children
• Language and Literacy for Young Children
• Infant/Toddler Development and Educational Program
• Child Development Fieldwork
• Approved Humanities and General Education Electives

Faculty advisors will guide you in determining which course of study you should choose in order to reach your career goals.

Child development courses are offered on weekdays during the day, on Saturdays, evenings and online.

You can access OCCC’s online course catalog, which includes details on Oklahoma City Community College child development degree requirements and child development class descriptions.

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Careers for Child Development Majors

Our child development programs will prepare you to enter the workforce and apply for positions as teachers or administrators at childcare centers and preschools.

Or, you could continue your education at a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, family relations, or human environmental sciences.

By earning one of the child development degree options at Oklahoma City Community College and working in the child care field, you will be eligible to pursue participation in several different programs and/or job opportunities in Oklahoma.

Program opportunities include:

• Eligible to apply for REWARD Oklahoma, a salary supplement program
• Achieve a level on the Oklahoma Registry Professional Development Ladder, depending on your degree option
• Meet qualifications for the General Education and ECE/CD knowledge/skills requirements on the Oklahoma Registry Director’s Credential, depending on your degree option

Job opportunities include:

• Partially meet the job requirements for being a master teacher in a child care center
• Assist in meeting two-star education requirements for a family child care home provider
• Partially meet the job requirements for being a child care center director

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