Associate of Applied Science - Program Map - 2024-2025
Education

Program Description

The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development prepares students for positions in child care facilities and Head Start programs. An Associate of Applied Science Degree is awarded upon completion of the program. A criminal background history check is required of all students in this program. Students should contact the Child Development faculty for more information. Graduates of this program are qualified to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, including children with special needs. The capstone course for the AAS Degree in Child Development is CDEC 2384, Cooperative Education-Child Development I.

Career Opportunities

Potential Careers: Home Care Providers • Child Care Program Assistants • Teacher Assistants • Head Start Teacher Assistants • Childhood/Social Service Workers

Potential Salary: $23,240 to $59,780/year, depending on career, education, location, and experience.

For more information on possible careers, education requirements, and salaries, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov

Child Development

Associate of Applied Science

First Semester

Credit Hours

CDEC

1313

Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs

3

CDEC

1356

Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood or

CDEC

1370

Language and Literacy for Infants and Toddlers

3

CDEC

2307

Math and Science for Early Childhood

3

ENGL

1301

Composition I (C)

3

SPCH

1315

Public Speaking1 (C) or

SPCH

1321

Business & Professional Communication1 (C)

3

15

Second Semester

Credit Hours

CDEC

1319

Child Guidance

3

CDEC

1358

Creative Arts for Early Childhood

3

CDEC

2315

Diverse Cultural/Multilingual Education

3

Child Development Elective

3

Mathematics Elective2 (C)

3

15

Third Semester

Credit Hours

CDEC

1303

Families, School & Community or

TECA

1303

Families, School, & Community

3

CDEC

1339

Early Childhood Development: 0-3 Years

3

CDEC

1359

Children with Special Needs or

CDEC

2326

Administration of Programs for Children I

3

CDEC

2341

The School Age Child or

CDEC

2374

Managing Non-Center Based Child Care Settings

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective3 (C)

3

15

Fourth Semester

Credit Hours

CDEC

1321

The Infant and Toddler

3

CDEC

1323

Observation and Assessment

3

CDEC

2384

Cooperative Education-Child Development I

3

ITSC

1301

Introduction to Computers

3

Humanities or Fine Arts Elective4 (C)

3

15

Total Credit Hours

60


(C) Core Curriculum Course (F) Field of Study Course

Things To Know

  • A criminal background check is required of all students in this program.
  • CDEC 2341 is offered in the Fall Semester and online only in Summer Session I and CDEC 2384 is offered every semester.
  • Students must complete 240 internship hours in an early childhood program. Placement for the internship is coordinated between the Child Development Program and Early Childhood Programs in El Paso County.
  • Please visit your counselor/advisor at the end of each semester to discuss your next semester courses.
  • Some courses in this degree plan may count towards the following Certificates: Infants & Toddlers and Teacher Assistant. Visit the above degree plans to see which courses count.
  • Please check with the transferring institution on the transferability and applicability of courses to specific Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Marketable Skills

By the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Child Development, students will have gained the following marketable skills:

  • Adaptability: Students flexibly and effectively adapt to changing environments and needs.
  • Personal Health & Safety: Students are mindful of the importance of following health and safety standards for personal and professional protection.
  • Personal Responsibility: Students demonstrate professionalism and a strong, independent work ethic.
  • Social Responsibility: Students demonstrate personal ethics, integrity, and civic engagement.
  • Teamwork: Students are efficient team members and maintain respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Course Superscripts

1SPCH 1315

2MATH 1332

3PSYC 2314

4ARTS 1301, DRAM 1310, MUSI 1306, or PHIL 2306

Check the course catalog to view all applicable courses and information and/or visit your counselor/advisor to review your options.