Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development

Career Studies Certificate

Mountain Empire Community College

This program is designed as an introduction to the field. The curriculum is designed to provide entry-level competencies documented by Virginia’s Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. These competencies include health, safety and nutrition, understanding child growth and development, appropriate child observation and assessment, partnering with families and community, learning environment, effective interactions, program management, teacher qualifications and professional development curriculum. Additionally, this program provides the necessary CPR training for young children desired by many employment agencies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Recognize the stages of early childhood development.
2. Utilize the arts and other creative developmentally appropriate activities for young children.
3. Use developmentally appropriate practices to plan activities to stimulate the logical thinking skills in children
4. Create positive ways to build self-esteem in children and to help them develop self-control.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

Click here for Details

External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

Check Course Schedules

Delivery Mode

Online

Check Course Schedules

Delivery Mode

Hybrid

Check Course Schedules

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	This program is designed as an introduction to the field. The curriculum is designed to provide entry-level competencies documented by Virginia’s Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. These competencies include health, safety and nutrition, understanding child growth and development, appropriate child observation and assessment, partnering with families and community, learning environment, effective interactions, program management, teacher qualifications and professional development curriculum. Additionally, this program provides the necessary CPR training for young children desired by many employment agencies.
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes The Code of Virginia restricts who may legally provide child care in Virginia. Most agencies require a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police Department and a child abuse or neglect check through the Virginia Department of Social Services before employment involving contact with young children. In addition, some child care facilities and schools may require proof of specific vaccinations and health related tests for students to complete their supervised workplace experiences.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Mountain Empire Community College within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses	The Code of Virginia restricts who may legally provide child care in Virginia. Most agencies require a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police Department and a child abuse or neglect check through the Virginia Department of Social Services before employment involving contact with young children. In addition, some child care facilities and schools may require proof of specific vaccinations and health related tests for students to complete their supervised workplace experiences.
Doing More With Your Degree	Upon completion of the Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate graduates possess the knowledge and skills required for entry into Early Childhood Educational facilities such as, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, family day care homes, and preschool programs. Graduates will also be equipped to apply for a minimum of two Early Childhood Endorsements from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
Program Successes & Highlights

Program Credit Requirements

.panel { display: block !important; } This degree map requires JavaScript to load on this page.View degree map

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Credit for Prior Learning	VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Mountain Empire Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year	The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Blue Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Central Virginia Community College	AAS in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Danville Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community College	Early Childhood Education	Associate	Associate in Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Early Childhood Development, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
George Mason University	Inclusive Early Childhood Education, BSEd	Bachelor	Bachelor of Science in Education	4-Year	Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
39-9011.00	Childcare Workers	Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.	Personal Care and Service Occupations
39-9011.01	Nannies	Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.	Personal Care and Service Occupations

Cost To Complete

.panel { display: block !important; } This Cost To Complete section requires JavaScript to load on this page.View Cost To Complete