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This program includes coursework in the areas of child guidance, birth through adolescent development, children with special needs, as well as exploring the role of the paraprofessional and sign language. Graduates will independently provide a healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports children and families.
Child development courses in combination with general education courses comprise the Early Childhood & Paraprofessional degree program. The Early Childhood Program meets the educational requirements for Assistant Teacher and Paraprofessional in an educational setting. The program also allows graduates to work as Assistant Teacher and Teacher in a child care center setting, Family Child Care Provider, and Group Family Child Care Provider as listed in Minnesota Department of Human Services Rules Number 2 and 3. Work experience, in addition to a field experience course is also required by Rule 3 for positions in licensed child care facilities.
Individuals entering the program must complete background checks required by the Minnesota and North Dakota Board of Human Services licensing divisions. Individuals with any prior record of child maltreatment or crime of violence may participate in the program, but the student will not be allowed to participate in lab or field experience coursework.
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Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
1. Minnesota Department of Human Services Licensing Division Background Study must be completed upon program entry and annually thereafter. Evidence of approval to provide healthcare must be on file prior to entering CDEV courses.
2. All required courses for the program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
3. Immunization and health screening data must be submitted on the College's Health Screening Form prior to enrollment in CDEV courses.
4. Refer to the Early Childhood & Paraprofessional Program Handbook for time limits on transfer of technical and general education credits and for specific program progression policies.
Required Courses |
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| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CDEV 1105 | Development/Guidance | 3 credits |
| CDEV 1107 | Intro to Early Educ | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2200 | Integrating Play | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2229 | Imaginative Learning | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2236 | Occupational Experience | 1 credits |
| CDEV 2238 | Special Needs | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2240 | Observing & Assessing | 2 credits |
| CDEV 2242 | Infant/Toddler Program | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2244 | Parent & Professional | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2246 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 credits |
| CDEV 2252 | Paraprofessional Role | 1 credits |
| CDEV 2290 | Internship | 2 credits |
| ANTH 2202 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits |
| ARTS 1101 | Art Appreciation | 3 credits |
| ENGL 1111 | Composition I | 3 credits |
| ENGL 1112 | Composition II | 3 credits |
| HIST 2250 | American Minorities | 3 credits |
| PHIL 1102 | Intro to Ethics | 3 credits |
| PLSC 1103 | State/Local Government | 3 credits |
| PSYC 1105 | Intro to Psychology | 3 credits |
| SOCI 1101 | Intro to Sociology | 3 credits |
| SPCH 1101 | Intro to Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 60 credits | |
1. Student will demonstrate an accurate understanding of child development from a multi-cultural perspective from birth to age eight.
2. Student will demonstrate appropriate professionalism in the early childhood field through implementation of professional behaviors in daily work with families, children, co-workers, and community.
3. Student will identify ways to meet each child’s individual needs and ways to plan culturally relevant activities to nurture cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
4. Student will create and consistently maintain an appropriate, safe, healthy learning environment for children.
5. Student will create and implement diverse activities including creative, open-ended art, music and movement, science, math, stories, and literature.
6. Student will incorporate developmentally appropriate guidance strategies.
7. Student will demonstrate effective oral and written communications with all clients, agencies, and early childhood partners with respect for diversity of culture, age and gender.
Counselors are available in the Career Center to assist with career advising, job search resources, employer connections, occupational descriptions, employment outlook, earnings, education/training requirements and sources.
Individuals completing this program may obtain employment in the following job classifications (see catalog for specifics): Paraprofessional or Assistant Site Supervisor in a school district school-age setting; Assistant Teacher in a licensed child care setting; Teacher in a licensed child care setting; Site Supervisor in a school district school-age child care setting.
Students may choose to specialize in these areas; infant-toddler, preschool, school-age, children with special needs, family child care, nanny or administration. Individuals completing the AS program may obtain employment in one of the following areas as well: Food Program Representative and Child Care Resource and Referral Agent.
The employment outlook for child care workers in the state of Minnesota from 2009 to 2019 is 11.8%, an above average growth percentage.
