Child Development Careers
DELIVERY
Day, Evening or Online
START
Fall or Spring Semester
CAMPUS
Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie
OVERVIEW
This degree is designed to prepare individuals for employment in a variety of early child care and educational settings as teachers, family child care providers or nannies. Persons working in this profession provide a healthy, safe and developmentally appropriate environment in support of families. Students learn how to plan age appropriate activities which recognize the diversity of children and families. This degree expands the student`s knowledge of child development in areas of communication, writing and developmental skills. Many employers recognize the benefit from this extensive training and require the degree of the employees at the teacher level. HTC Child Development students may earn a Diploma, A.A.S. degree, or A.S. degree.
LABS AND CLASSROOMS
Hands on activities are included as part of our courses. It’s important to both understand theory and how to apply it to real-life settings or situations. Course assignments may include interviews with families or teachers, observations of children in different settings, and completion of lesson plans or activities with children.
Practicums are an important part of our program. Practicum experiences require 120 hours of student/child contact, averaging 10-12 hours a week over a semester in an approved setting. These placements are arranged by the college supervisor. There are options for practicums in a variety of settings and geographical locations.
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
There are required textbooks and other recommended resources or books. Your instructor will share these with you during the course.
You will also need supplies to create homemade games and activities for children. This may include, but is not limited to, construction paper, scissors, glue, felt, file folders, poster board, markers, crayons, permanent markers, and other materials.
In addition, as also recommend students become members of NAEYC, an early childhood professional organization.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, those who work with children should be patient, have a willingness to learn and grow, and must be able to take initiative. You must be reliable, responsible and be able to problem solve. You should have good writing skills and be able to communicate well with others as a member of a team.
MN law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of MN have a background study conducted by the state. Students who have criminal backgrounds are ineligible to participate in practicums and are ineligible for graduation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Job opportunities are available in child care centers, special needs programs, in home care (nanny), family child care, schoolage care, nursery schools, recreational, and parent/child programs. Upon completion of an articulated bachelor's degree, there are expanded opportunities in early childhood programs, as well as the ability to teach through third grade in public school systems.
JOB OUTLOOK
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT
Gainful Employment Information
POTENTIAL JOB TITLES Educational Assistant, Paraprofessional, Aide, Site Coordinator, Nanny, Family Child Care Provider, Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, or Assistant Teacher, depending on the location of employment and type of responsibilities.
SALARY There is a salary range, varying from $10 an hour for a child care worker to $60,000 a year for a Preschool Teacher in a school.
INSTRUCTORS
Carla Weigel, Instructor
Sandy Hruby, Instructor
Laurie Cummings, Instructor
Janice Hofschulte, Instructor
ADVISORY COMMITTEE/PARTNERSHIPS
The Child Development Careers advisory committee is comprised of industry professionals and former and current students . The committee meets 2-3 times a year to evaluate industry trends, review skills needed, give input on curriculum, and to provide a collaborative relationship with the business industry.
ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS
All faculty belong to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and are affiliate members of.
MNAEYC - MN Association for the Education of Young Children
Faculty are also members of Minnesota ACCESS (faculty of Child Development programs in Associate Degree programs) and participate in Project E-LECT, a child development consortium for online courses in Minnesota.
Our program also partners with T.E.A.C.H. which provides scholarships for students earning Associate degrees.
ARTICULATIONS
The Child Development A.S. degrees has a articulation agreement with Southwest Minnesota State University. This bachelors degree is the first step to become licensed and teach through the third grade.
To learn more about this partnership, please contact Betty Roers from Southwest Minnesota State University to schedule a time to visit at either the Brokklyn Park or Eden Prairie Campus.
Hands on activities are included as part of our courses. It’s important to both understand theory and how to apply it to real-life settings or situations. Course assignments may include interviews with families or teachers, observations of children in different settings, and completion of lesson plans or activities with children.
Practicums are an important part of our program. Practicum experiences require 120 hours of student/child contact, averaging 10-12 hours a week over a semester in an approved setting. These placements are arranged by the college supervisor. There are options for practicums in a variety of settings and geographical locations.
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
There are required textbooks and other recommended resources or books. Your instructor will share these with you during the course.
You will also need supplies to create homemade games and activities for children. This may include, but is not limited to, construction paper, scissors, glue, felt, file folders, poster board, markers, crayons, permanent markers, and other materials.
In addition, as also recommend students become members of NAEYC, an early childhood professional organization.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, those who work with children should be patient, have a willingness to learn and grow, and must be able to take initiative. You must be reliable, responsible and be able to problem solve. You should have good writing skills and be able to communicate well with others as a member of a team.
MN law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of MN have a background study conducted by the state. Students who have criminal backgrounds are ineligible to participate in practicums and are ineligible for graduation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Job opportunities are available in child care centers, special needs programs, in home care (nanny), family child care, schoolage care, nursery schools, recreational, and parent/child programs. Upon completion of an articulated bachelor's degree, there are expanded opportunities in early childhood programs, as well as the ability to teach through third grade in public school systems.
JOB OUTLOOK
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT
Gainful Employment Information
POTENTIAL JOB TITLES Educational Assistant, Paraprofessional, Aide, Site Coordinator, Nanny, Family Child Care Provider, Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, or Assistant Teacher, depending on the location of employment and type of responsibilities.
SALARY There is a salary range, varying from $10 an hour for a child care worker to $60,000 a year for a Preschool Teacher in a school.
INSTRUCTORS
Carla Weigel, Instructor
Sandy Hruby, Instructor
Laurie Cummings, Instructor
Janice Hofschulte, Instructor
ADVISORY COMMITTEE/PARTNERSHIPS
The Child Development Careers advisory committee is comprised of industry professionals and former and current students . The committee meets 2-3 times a year to evaluate industry trends, review skills needed, give input on curriculum, and to provide a collaborative relationship with the business industry.
ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS
All faculty belong to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and are affiliate members of.
MNAEYC - MN Association for the Education of Young Children
Faculty are also members of Minnesota ACCESS (faculty of Child Development programs in Associate Degree programs) and participate in Project E-LECT, a child development consortium for online courses in Minnesota.
Our program also partners with T.E.A.C.H. which provides scholarships for students earning Associate degrees.
ARTICULATIONS
The Child Development A.S. degrees has a articulation agreement with Southwest Minnesota State University. This bachelors degree is the first step to become licensed and teach through the third grade.
To learn more about this partnership, please contact Betty Roers from Southwest Minnesota State University to schedule a time to visit at either the Brokklyn Park or Eden Prairie Campus.
