Program Description

The Child Development Career Pathway Certificate program is designed for students just entering the early care and education field, and those already employed in childcare, but who need an immediate certificate to continue working in an Oregon licensed facility. Students completing the CDC Pathway certificate will achieve Step 7.5 on the Oregon Registry Steps for the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education have a strong foundational knowledge of child development for children age 0-8. The CDC pathway certificate aligns with the requirements for an Infant/Toddler CDA. Graduates may continue to seek the One-Year Certificate, AS, or AAS degree seamlessly, since all of the certificate classes are wholly contained within the degree program.

Program Outcomes

After students complete this certificate they will be able to:

1. Identify appropriate learning environments based on child development through assessment.
2. Identify appropriate strategies to connect families and the community with development and learning.
3. Select developmentally appropriate tools in partnership with families and colleagues to assess each child based on individual needs.
4. Explain developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each child’s development and learning.
5. Identify curriculum designed to promote and assess meaningful, challenging, and comprehensive developmental learning outcomes for each child.
6. Describe professional behavior reflective of ethical guidelines and practices associated with early childhood careers. 

Career Considerations

Students in the Child Development Career Pathway certificate program receive education and experience around the foundational knowledge for child development age 0-6 with a specific focus with infants and toddlers age three and under. Our Child Development Career Pathway certificate program focuses on seven crucial learning outcomes to help prepare students for working with young children and their families.

Courses offered in the Child Development Career certificate program are also excellent for parents, expecting families, and anyone associated or working with families and young children.

Program Course Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Term		Credits
ECE 140	Intro to Early Childhood Ed	3
ECE 230	Health Safety and Nutrition	3
HDFS 225	Child Development	3
	Credits	9
Second Term
ECE 101	ECE-Sem-Prac I	3
ECE 154	Lit and Language for Children	3
HDFS 226	Infant-Toddler Development	3
	Credits	9
Third Term
ECE 102	ECE-Sem-Prac II	3
ECE 178	Observing-Guiding Behavior	3
ECE 244	Indiv Learning-Preschoolers	3
	Credits	9
Fourth Term
ECE 235	Supporting Child Wellbeing 1	3
	Credits	3
	Total Minimum Credits	30

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Course offered in the Summer

Program Entrance Requirements

• Enrollment in Oregon Central Background Registry
• Verification of MMR vaccinations
• Food Handler’s Certificate
• Students will need to complete either ECE 140 Intro to Early Childhood Ed (3 cr.), or HDFS 225 Child Development (3 cr.) with a grade of C or higher, before beginning practicum courses