What You'll Learn

• Child safety, health, and nutrition.
• Fundamental principles of child development and developmentally appropriate guidance practices.
• Knowledge and skills in developing and implementing early childhood curriculum and strategies that promote learning.
• Skills in family, community, and staff relations.

Career Settings

• Child Care Centers, Preschools and Nursery Schools
• Elementary schools as paraprofessionals
• Early Childhood Family Education
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Extended day school-age programs
• Home-based settings: Family child care, Nannies and Home
• Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
• Hospitals and Child Life Programs

Potential Employers

• Head Start
• Children's Home Society
• Public Schools

Additional Benefits

• The employment outlook is estimated to grow faster than average through 2010.
• Opportunities exist for students to transfer to a 4-year institution after earning the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or Associate in Science (AS).
• Scholarship money is available for those who are already in the field and want to earn a degree.
• An accelerated cohort program is available for those who are alrady in the field and want to earn a degree going to school one night a week.

Related Programs also available at Saint Paul College

Child Development Administration Certificate

Child Development ASL AS Degree