Human Development, Early Childhood Education

Courses in the program focus on the development of the child from infancy through school age and explore programs and activities designed to promote children's overall growth and well-being. Three Certificates of Achievement and an associate degree are offered in this program.

• Childhood Development 
• Infant/Toddler Emphasis
• School-Age Child Emphasis

 Human Development Certificate Course Guide

 Human Development Certificate Program Guide

COURSE GUIDE
Human Development (HD) Certificates
Child Development – 30 units
Infant-Toddler Emphasis – 27 units
School-Age Child Emphasis – 27 units

Human Development: Child Development Certificate of Achievement

Human Development:  Infant-Toddler Emphasis Certificate of Achievement

Human Development: School-Age Child Emphasis Certificate of Achievement

Requirements:Certificates of Achievement are granted for the completion of a specified program, or specified courses, whose total requirement is 18 units or more.  These state-approved certificates acknowledge workplace competencies and job readiness.  The courses that comprise the Child Development Certificates of Achievement are the same as those that comprise the major for the Associate in Science degrees in Childhood Development. 

Students must complete all courses in the certificate program with a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “CR,” or “P.”  A minimum of 12 units in the certificate program must be completed at Irvine Valley College.

Waiver of Certificate Requirements:  Students with previous educational or vocational experience who wish to waive a required course in a certificate program will be expected to verify equivalency by examination.  Petitions for course waivers or substitutions are available in the Counseling Center.

Application for Evaluation:  Certificates are not awarded automatically.  Students who expect to earn a certificate from the college must file an application for evaluation with the Office of Admission and Records.  Responsibility for filing this application rests with the student, and transcripts for all college work attempted must be on file for the application to be considered.  Filing deadlines for each semester are posted in the IVC catalog and class schedule.

PROGRAM GUIDE
Human Development (HD) Certificates
Child Development – 30 units
Infant-Toddler Emphasis – 27 units
School-Age Child Emphasis – 27 units

Description:  The goals of the Child Development program are to foster an understanding of young children and equip students with the specific skills necessary to become competent teachers and childcare providers for children from infancy through twelve years of age.  There are three separate emphases available:  Child Development (Preschool age), Infant/Toddler, and School-Age (see IVC catalog, ECE Certificates of Achievement, ECE brochure, or a counselor for details).

Prerequisites/Preparation:Prior to enrolling in Human Development courses, the following are recommended (but not required):

• Psychology 1 prior to Psychology/Human Development 7 
• Basic computer skills
• Eligibility for Writing 1
• Completion of advanced level ESL courses if English is a second language

Preparation for Career Related Exams/Certification:  Students may use ECE units to meet education requirements for the Child Development Permit which is sometimes required for employment by publicly funded child development programs (see attachment).

Associate of Science Degree:  A student may earn an A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from IVC if, in addition to certificate requirements, he/she also meets general education requirements posted in the IVC catalog, class schedule, or www.ivc.edu.  See a counselor for more information.

Four Year Institutions Offering Degrees/Programs in This Field:*
California State University, Fullerton – Bachelor of Science in Child & Adolescent    
Development
California State University, Long Beach – Bachelor of Science in Child Development
California State University, Los Angeles – Bachelor of Arts in Child Development with    
Specializations in: Parenting, Early Childhood Program Administration, Youth Agency                
Administration, and Child Life/Hospitalized Child
San Diego State University – Bachelor of Science in Child Development

*See counselor or transfer center for specific transfer requirements

See www.ivc.edu/careered or call 949/451-5224 for additional program information and updates

Scholarships/Financial Aid:  Students may apply for a stipend for some school-related expenses through the Child Development Training Consortium if he/she is currently employed in the field of ECE and working toward a Child Development Permit.  In addition, the California Student Aid Commission offers the Child Development Teacher Grant for financial aid eligible students who are pursuing a child development permit at the teacher, site supervisor, or program director level.  See the IVC Financial Aid office for details about these sources of aid and additional opportunities.

Work Experience/Internships:  Each emphasis requires Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) unit(s).  CWE allows students to gain on-the-job experience under an experienced teacher while earning units toward the certificate.  If a student wishes to earn more than one certificate, he/she must complete one semester of CWE with the appropriate age group for each certificate earned.  A student may earn one unit of credit for every 75 hours of paid or 60 hours of volunteer work.  Students are responsible for securing employment for CWE or may complete the hours in the campus lab school.  In addition, many child development employers recruit students from IVC through our Job Placement Office and the Human Development department.

Career Options: 

Job Description:

Preschool Teachers instruct children up to five years of age through activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. Preschool Teachers encourage childrens curiosity and imagination by providing them with opportunities to learn through play activities that they can question, investigate, experiment with, and observe.  Preschool Teachers usually work in pleasant surroundings that promote play and learning. They often have flexible schedules that can be either full or part time.

Elementary School Teachers instruct students in various subjects, including basic academic, social, and other formative skills. Most instruct a group of 20 to 34 children at a single grade level ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Elementary School Teachers work in private, public, and publicly funded schools such as charter schools, and can work more than 40 hours a week both in and outside the classroom. They are often rewarded when their students succeed; however, they must have the emotional stability to cope with unruly, unmotivated students and be prepared to see students fail.

Occupational Outlook for Orange County, CA:

Preschool Teachers is expected to grow at an average rate compared with the total for all occupations. Jobs for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are expected to increase by 14.2 percent, or 540 jobs between 2006 and 2016.

Elementary School Teachers is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education are expected to increase by 31.1 percent, or 3,200 jobs between 2006 and 2016.

Salary Range/Median for Orange County, CA:  

Preschool Teachers
The median wage in 2009 for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in California is $28,451 annually, or $13.68 hourly. The median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Orange County is $26,993 annually, or $12.97 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.

Elementary School Teachers
Salaries vary between school districts and generally are based on experience, size of district, and college units completed. Teachers with a master’s degree or national certification often results in higher pay. In addition, some districts pay bonuses for advanced degrees or extra duty. Private schools pay somewhat less, but Teachers may be compensated with free tuition for their own children and greater independence in the classroom. Substitute Teachers are generally paid at a daily rate.

Job Related Skills Emphasized in Coursework:  An understanding of child growth and development, observation and documentation, development and use of curriculum, guidance and classroom management, communication skills, and relations with staff and families of diverse backgrounds.

Personal Traits Desired for This Field:

• Alert
• Enthusiastic & energetic        
• Enjoy working with children and parents of diverse backgrounds
• Possess patience, emotional stability, good health, and physical stamina
• Can tolerate noise and confusion and remain levelheaded
• Are concerned about the welfare of children
• Can work independently and under close supervision

Professional Organizations/Websites/Publications in Field:

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC):*   www.naeyc.org
• California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC):*  www.caeyc.org
• Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children (OCAEYC):* 

      www.ocaeyc.org

• Child Development Training Consortium:  www.childdevelopment.org
• Information on opening a Child Care business

     - City of Irvine Child Care Coordination Office:
http://www.cityofirvine.org/depts/cs/childcare/opening_business.asp
- California Community Care Licensing:  http://www.ccld.ca.gov

*Membership in these organizations includes a subscription to Young Children, the journal of NAEYC. 

IVC Contacts:

HD Child Development Certificates - Program Questions:

Professor Mary McDonough
Department Chair
Social and Behavioral Sciences
949/451-5374
mmcdonough@ivc.edu         

Professor Donna King
Social and Behavioral Sciences                                
949/451-5617                                                                          
dking@ivc.edu

Certificates - General Questions:

This IVC Technical Education Program Guide was made possible by funds from the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, awarded to Irvine Valley College by the Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges.

Updated 7/17/09 CTE&WD-mhm
10/9/09 CTE&WD-smk

For more information, see the Early Childhood Education web page (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).