Child Development

There are TWO options for an AA degree in Child Development. One is intended for students who plan to transfer and the other degree is intended for students who plan to obtain an AA degree without transferring. Please see a counselor to create a plan of study. The degree options are listed in the Pierce College General Catalogue.

Speak with a counselor. You will need to complete IGETC or CSU General Education Transfer Plan.

Requirements: You must follow the requirements for both 1 and 2 listed above.

Requirements: Teachers need a minimum of 12 units in Child Development; Aides need a minimum of 6 units. While Child Development certificates are not required to work in the field, they are a good way to enhance your resume by showing you have completed a program of study. Please see CD Certificates.

LAUSD Early Childhood Center requirements: Probationary Teacher (effective 7/1/05) must have a B.A. degree, plus 30 CD units including 6 units of school age (CD 46 & CD 47), the Teacher level Child Development Permit, 175 days of experience (CD 22 & CD 23 practicum experience counts toward the work experience requirement).

LAUSD Provisional Teacher must have an A.A. degree or 60 units, plus 24 units in Child Development and 175 days of work experience (can apply CD 22 and CD 23), and must sign a contract of continuing coursewok to complete a BA within 3 years. Must hold the Teacher Level Child Development Permit.

Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP): has its own set of requirements based upon the STAR level rating of the program. The minimum requirements for a 3-Star program is for teachers to hold the Child Development Teacher Level Permit. (attach star rating link here)

Other Title 5 (such as Head Start, Campus Child Development centers, etc): all teachers must hold a Child Development Permit. Teacher level --24 CD units including the core classes (CD 1, 2, 7, 11), plus 16 general education units and 175 days of experience, or, Teacher level Option 2 -- AA degree or higher in Child Development. Master Teacher level -- 24 CD units, 6 specialization units (CD 30 & 31; 44 & 45; 46 & 47) and 2 adult supervision units (CD 65), and 16 general education units, plus 350 days of work experience. Master Teacher level Option 2 -- BA degree or higher with 12 units in Child Development and 3 units of supervised fieldwork experience (CD 22 or 23).

Requirements: The Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division www.ccld.ca.gov requires 15 hours of health, CPR, & First Aide training (available through CD 10). Contact CCLD for more information

Requirements: The Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division www.ccld.ca.gov requires 12 core CD units, plus CD 38 or CD 39, work experience is also required. Contact CCLD for more information

Requirements: For Public programs (Title 5) see the School-Age Permit Matrix: Teachers need 24 CD units, plus 16 general education units and 175 days of work experience; Aides need 6 units in CD. For Private programs (Title 22) Teachers must have a minimum of 12 CD units; Aides must have a minimum of 6 CD units.

To become an elementary school teacher you may major in Child Development (at a 4-year institution) and get your teaching credential. Research in the field of Education demonstrates that teachers with a solid background in Child Development typically have higher job satisfaction and a lower burn-out rate as compared to teachers with alternate degrees. It is the belief of the child development community that the greater understanding of age typical development is a major factor.