Child Development - School-Age Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The School-Age Certificate is designed to be the first step toward entry level employment specializing in the care of children from 6-12 years. It prepares students for working in before and after-school programs or child care facilities that serve older children.

This Certificate meets the course and unit requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit with a School-Age Emphasis and the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Applications can be obtained through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Office. More days of experience are needed to meet the 50 days of experience requirement for the CD Associate Teacher Permit.  Child Development Work Experience, CD 098, may be taken to help meet the 50 day requirement.  

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Social Sciences, Human Development, Kinesiology & Health

Department

Child Development

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Public Service, Culture, Society

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Observe and assess the development of school-age children to understand typical and atypical development and learning and to create appropriate environments and curriculum.

  2. Create developmentally appropriate curriculum and written activity plans for school-age children using all developmental domains, multiple intelligences, and a variety of learning modalities.

  3. Develop a school-age before and after school program philosophy based good practice, health and safety, state regulations, and the developmental needs of school age children.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

12 units
CD 060
Understanding School-Age Children
This course is designed to prepare students to work with children ages five years through adolescence, by focusing on the development of children in this age group. This course includes the study of developmental theories and the practical implications of those theories. This course incorporates licensing regulations as required by Title 22 licensed facilities. 

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
CD 061
Activities for School-Age Children
This course is a survey of programs and activities planning for school-age children including both before-and after-school activities for groups and individuals.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
CD 105 or CD 105H
This introductory course examines the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    2. or
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • OR

    This introductory course examines the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL 101
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 113
    Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
    This course is an examination of underlying theoretical principles of developmentally appropriate practices applied to programs and environments, emphasizing the key role of relationships, constructive adult-child interactions, and teaching strategies in supporting physical, social, creative and intellectual development of all young children.  This course includes a review of historical roots of early childhood programs and the evolution of the professional practices promoting advocacy, ethics and professional identity.  

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU

    • 2nd Semester

    12 units
    CD 114
    Introduction to Curriculum
    This course presents an overview of knowledge and skills related to providing appropriate curriculum and environments for young children from birth to age six.  Students will examine a teacher's role in supporting development and engagement for all young children. This course provides strategies for developmentally-appropriate practice based on observation and assessment across the curriculum.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: CD 105
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: CD 105H
    3. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 111
    Observation and Assessment in Child Development
    This course focuses on the appropriate use of a variety of assessment and observation strategies to document child development and behavior. Child observations are conducted and analyzed.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    2. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CD 105
    3. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CD 105H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 127
    Guidance of Children
    This course presents a developmental approach to the guidance and discipline of children. Effective guidance theories and methods are presented for teachers and professionals working with children, including children with special needs.  Effective communication methods for early childhood educators working with children and their parents will be emphasized. 

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
      2. or
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
    CD 138
    Teaching in a Diverse Society
    This course is an examination of the development of social identities in diverse societies including theoretical and practical implications affecting children, families, programs, teaching, education and schooling. Culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches supporting all children, from birth through age 8, in becoming competent members of a diverse society will be examined. This course involves self-examination and reflection of related issues in order to better inform teaching practices and program development.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU

    • 3rd Semester

    3 units
    CD 126
    Child, Family, and the Community
    This course examines the developing child in a societal context which focuses on the interrelationships of family, school, and community and emphasizes historical and socio-cultural factors. The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU