Child Development Specialist

This program prepares students for employment in child care centers and preschools as group teachers and assistant teachers working under the supervision of head teachers.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Use theories and knowledge of growth and development to understand the multiple influences that promote child development and learning.
• Build relationships with families and the community to create a respectful and reciprocal community of learning to support children and families.
• Support young children through the use of observation, documentation, and assessment techniques and strategies.
• Create, implement and evaluate effective early childhood curricula while implementing the philosophy of developmentally appropriate practices.
• Exhibit characteristics of an early childhood professional by following the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) ethical guidelines, participating in professional organizations and professional development, and advocating for children and families.
• Program Goals are based on NAEYC Associate Degree Program Standards.

Thank you for choosing Sussex County Community College as the place to begin your education. We pride ourselves on giving you the individualized attention you need to be successful.

Once you have been accepted, choose the correct path with, What Type of Student are you? This will give you the important Steps to follow from application to registration.

This is a recommended program course sequence for students who wish to complete their certificate in two years. Part-time students and students starting in the spring or summer semesters can meet with an Advisor to customize their own plan.

*Course only offered in fall

**Course only offered in spring

Students may choose to first take some developmental courses that are designed to prepare students for the college level coursework in their academic plan. This may add to the students’ completion time.

The number of credits students take each semester will determine when the student will complete his/her program of study.